Best Firewood for Cabin Fireplaces in Hocking Hills

Southeast Ohio sits inside the largest oak-hickory forest region in the state — roughly 63% of all Ohio forests fall into this category, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That means the firewood available at your Hocking Hills cabin is almost certainly one of the hardwoods that have grown in these hills for centuries.

But not all firewood is created equal. The species burning in your cabin fireplace determines how much heat you get, how long it lasts, and whether the room smells like a steakhouse or a candle shop. Here's what you need to know.

The Big Four: Hardwoods You'll Find Locally

Oak (White & Red)

Oak is the workhorse of Hocking Hills firewood. White oak delivers approximately 26.5 million BTUs per cord, while red oak comes in around 24 million BTUs. Both produce a deep, long-lasting coal bed that keeps a cabin warm through the night without constant reloading. The trade-off is patience — oak needs 18 to 24 months of seasoning to burn efficiently. If your firewood hisses and steams, it wasn't dried long enough.

Hickory (Shagbark & Pignut)

Hickory is the heavyweight champion of firewood, producing roughly 27.7 million BTUs per cord. It burns extremely hot and long, making it ideal for cold January weekends when the thermometer drops into the teens. Shagbark hickory is the most common variety in the Hocking region. It's harder to split than oak but worth every swing of the maul. Seasoning time runs 12 to 18 months.

White Ash

Ash has long been a favorite among firewood burners for one simple reason: you can cut it and burn it almost immediately. It seasons faster than any other major hardwood, and at around 23.6 million BTUs per cord, it throws plenty of heat. Due to the emerald ash borer — an invasive beetle that has now been confirmed in all 88 Ohio counties — there's an abundance of standing dead ash throughout the Hocking Hills region. Much of the firewood you'll find for sale locally includes ash.

Cherry

Black cherry produces about 20 million BTUs per cord — less heat than oak or hickory, but it compensates with one of the most pleasant aromas of any firewood. Cherry burns clean with minimal sparking, making it a favorite for open fireplaces where you want ambiance over raw heat. It's also the species that gives smoked meats their signature flavor.

Gas Logs vs. Wood-Burning: What Your Cabin Probably Has

Before you start planning the perfect fireside evening, check your cabin listing carefully. Many newer and luxury cabins in Hocking Hills have switched to gas log fireplaces — they're easier for property owners to maintain and eliminate fire risk from guest error. Older, more rustic cabins are more likely to have genuine wood-burning fireplaces or wood stoves.

If a wood-burning fireplace is important to your trip, confirm it in the listing or call the property manager directly. Even cabins with gas fireplaces almost always have an outdoor fire pit where you can burn real wood.

What to Ask When Buying Firewood

When you purchase firewood from a local vendor or your cabin host, ask two questions: what species is it, and how long has it been seasoned? Well-seasoned hardwood should have a moisture content below 20%. The wood should feel light for its size, have visible cracks on the cut ends, and make a hollow clunk (not a dull thud) when two pieces are knocked together.

A mix of species is often the best approach. Start your fire with ash or cherry (they ignite easily), then add oak or hickory once you have a solid coal bed. That combination gives you the best of both worlds — easy lighting and long-lasting heat.