With Labor Day just weeks away, one popular Ohio outdoor destination is getting more attention from travelers ahead of the holiday weekend.
HomeToGo, a vacation rental site and search engine, ranked the
top 25 trending destinations in its Labor Day Travel Report. The report, which based the rankings on HomeToGo search activity, found that interest in Labor Day trips is up 23% from a year ago as travelers are seeking more nature-focused, drive-to destinations.
One Ohio entry made the list.
Hocking Hills State Park makes national Labor Day travel ranking
Hocking Hills was the only Ohio destination to make the top 25, taking the final spot on the HomeToGo list.
Search interest in Hocking Hills rose 20% year over year, helping the southeastern Ohio destination earn a place in the rankings. The Ohio park ranked just behind Saugatuck, Michigan, at No. 24. Meanwhile, Bay Saint Louis in Mississippi topped the ranking at No. 1, followed by Red River Gorge in Kentucky, which is roughly two hours from Cincinnati, at No. 2.
For those planning a visit, admission to Hocking Hills State Park is free, and the 2,356-acre park is known for its cliffs, waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic drives and, as of 2027, a mountain roller coaster.
The park has earned national recognition in recent years. In addition to being a popular destination for fall foliage, Hocking Hills was named one of the best state parks in the U.S. by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards 2026, placing No. 4 in the Best State Park category. In 2025, it was named No. 9 on USA TODAY's Best Destination for Fall Colors, thanks to its vibrant seasonal color displays.
The 25 destinations travelers are searching most for Labor Day
Here's the full list of travel destinations that have generated the most online search interest ahead of Labor Day, according to HomeToGo.
- Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
- Red River Gorge, Kentucky
- Orcas Island, Washington
- Port Saint Joe, Florida
- Ludington, Michigan
- Whidbey Island, Washington
- Edisto Island, South Carolina
- Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Yachats, Oregon
- Bodega Bay, California
- Petoskey, Michigan
- Ocracoke, North Carolina
- Hill City, South Dakota
- Cayucos, California
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Door County, Wisconsin
- Lake Chelan, Washington
- Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
- Rockport, Texas
- Chincoteague Island, Virginia
- Dauphin Island, Alabama
- Cape Charles, Virginia
- Wimberley, Texas
- Saugatuck, Michigan
- Hocking Hills, Ohio
How the ranking was determined
HomeToGo says the data is based on searches conducted on the site between Jan. 1 and July 25, 2026, for stays with check-in dates between Aug. 31 and Sept. 9, 2026, covering Labor Day travel.
The ranking does not measure actual visitation. But it identifies the destinations that saw the biggest year-over-year increase in search interest, making it a list of trending locations.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: This Ohio destination makes Labor Day travel list. Here's where
