SOUTH BLOOMINGVILLE, Ohio — The Birds in the Hills Festival returns to Camp Oty’Okwa in the heart of the Hocking Hills, May 1–3, 2026.
With diverse habitats that include hemlock gorges and mature hardwood uplands, the festival provides an excellent mix of mature forest avifauna. Some species of birds participants might see include hermit thrush, blue-headed vireo, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, magnolia warbler, black-throated green warbler, Canada warbler, cerulean warbler, Blackburnian warbler and worm-eating warbler.
Hosted by Appalachian Understories (AU), a Rural Action social enterprise, the festival highlights the natural and cultural heritage of Appalachian Ohio by providing guided experiences. Through AU’s tours, local historians and naturalists are compensated for sharing their knowledge and stories.
This year’s event will be sponsored by the Ohio Ornithological Society. OOS is a statewide 501 c.3 organization that was founded in 2004 by a dedicated group of Ohio birders.
The Birds in the Hills Festival is an annual, family-friendly birding event featuring guided walks, workshops and hands-on sessions for birders of all skill levels. Whether attendees are seasoned enthusiasts or just beginning their birding journey, they’ll find activities tailored to their interests. Each outing showcases the diverse avian species of the region and is led by guides with deep knowledge of the local landscape.
More than just a birding event, the festival supports a broader mission: providing a sense of place, preserving cultural knowledge, benefiting human health and boosting regional economic vitality through guided tours.
Ticket options include single-day passes, weekend passes and overnight tickets. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the event. More information and tickets are available at appalachianunderstories.com/birds-in-the-hills.
Rural Action is a regional community development organization with a 58-county footprint, working with members and community leaders on a range of quality of life, environmental and economic projects across rural Appalachian Ohio. Its mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways. Learn more about Rural Action at www.ruralaction.org.
