What is the cost?

$85 per person* with a minimum of 2 required. 

$80 surcharge to make a Forest Bathing Session private for a group of 2-4 people.

Small groups of 5 or 6 will automatically be private without a surcharge.

*This experience is for ages 16 and older, children are not permitted on the Nature Therapy Experience. If you’re interested in a nature tour for children ages 6 and up, we recommend the Natural High tour, the High Rock Challenge, or Rock Challenge Express tours, as well as any of our climbing or rappelling adventure tours at High Rock Adventures. 

Where do we meet?

Hocking Hills Ecotours will be offering daily, morning Forest Bathing Experiences at our beautiful Cool Rock Valley location.  Check-in is at our main location at High Rock Adventures (10108 Opossum Hollow Rd), then you’ll follow your guide in your car just a few minutes away to begin your immersive Forest Bathing invitations at our beautiful Cool Rock Valley property.

How many people will be Forest Bathing?

You have the option of making an experience private for yourself, you and friend or a small group of friends, based on availability and with a surcharge for 1 to 4 people. We do limit this experience to a maximum of 6 unless you are a group organizer and make special arrangements with us for a slightly larger private group. Also of note, 2/3 to 3/4 of the total time will be spent individually distanced from others as self-introspection, deeper awareness, and personal experiences will be the focus.

How long is the experience and what do I need to bring?

This Nature Therapy practice of guide-assisted Forest Bathing will typically last 3 hours. Items you may choose to bring for your comfort are a small backpack, a small notebook/journal, writing instrument, water, a yoga mat (one will be provided if you don’t bring one), a light snack, hiking pole or stick, insect repellant, comfortable shoes for walking in the forest, rain jacket and clothing layers appropriate for the weather. We will conduct the experience in light to moderate rain. We will ask that you leave your phone behind or turn it off. We also suggest shoes that can come off fairly easily, as one of the invitations will include walking in bare feet, during the warmer season. Hiking Sandals, Keen-style shoes, even walking or hiking shoes are fine, but your shoes may get wet crossing a shallow stream.

How physical is this experience, is it difficult?

You will be walking leisurely a mile or less, quite often a half-mile or less. Nothing is rushed, and while there are some small hills, the trails are not hard or difficult at all.  This experience is designed for any adult that can walk freely, but physical fitness is not a consideration. By design, this is slow paced, relaxing, reflective, and immersive. We will be walking across some shallow streams and some of the smaller inclines may be slick especially if it rains so a hiking pole or stick is good to have with you.

If you want something a bit faster paced with nature education we offer a fun and unique nature tour and an edible and medicinal plant walk daily or twice daily through Hocking Hills Ecotours at our High Rock Property.  We also offer exciting adventure tours like our Rappelling, Rock Climbing, and Rock Challenge tours at High Rock Adventures. The Nature Therapy Experience is much different than those tours and is designed for those wanting a deeper, immersive forest experience.

Is there an age limit?

Yes…this a reflective and immersive experience and it is not designed for children. We offer several other tours for ages 6 and up through High Rock Adventures.  If you have an older youth 16+ who tends to enjoy deeper nature reflective experiences we do allow anyone physically able to walk and has an interest and that is at least 16 to take this Forest Bathing Experience. There is no maximum age limit. Being adequately mobile is all that is required.

What facilities are at Cool Rock Valley?

The forest, seasonal waterfalls, streams, lots of rocks, ferns, trees, and amazing natural beauty. We do have access to drinking water with your own water bottle and there will be a Portajohn. We meet at High Rock Adventures first and suggest using the full facility restrooms there before and after the tour. There are also picnic tables, porches, a gift shop, a larger parking lot, and more at High Rock, just a few minutes’ drive from Cool Rock Valley.

Will I need to wear a mask or face covering?

Yes, but only for the small amount of time you may be in our office at High Rock and when our Forest Bathing group or your guide has to be within 6 feet of you.  This tour is designed to be mask free because you will be in the forest with quite a lot of space around you. The point is to deeply breathe in the forest air, to not be encumbered with stress or care, to open your senses and rejuvenate your spirit.

What happens if the weather is extreme?

We will not conduct the Forest Bathing in heavy, steady rains or conditions where high winds or lightening could be of danger in the forest.  At all times we will be within a 15-20 minute leisurely walk to your vehicle and may need to return to your vehicle if severe weather should arrive or take cover under one of our recessed dry caves.  You may call our office if you’re unsure about the weather, but typically we will plan to go with a scheduled experience unless the weather is extremely bad.  If we have to cancel an experience due to safety concerns with the weather, the cost of the Forest Bathing Experience is fully refundable or transferable if you want to return the next day.  There are times when a Forest Bathing Experience may have to start a bit later or be delayed during the experience due to weather, please plan to allow extra time on that day, should it be needed.