Sites of
Interest
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Cantwell Cliffs is located in the northern reaches of Hocking Hills
- 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave on S.R. 374. Its remote location
discourages visitation, but those who travel the extra distance will
not be disappointed. Many visitors proclaim the Cantwell area as the
most picturesque in Hocking County.
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Rock House is
unique in the Hocking Hills’ region, as it is the only true cave in
the park. It is a tunnel-like corridor situated midway up a 150-foot
cliff of Blackhand sandstone. This House of Rock has a ceiling
25 feet high while the main corridor is 200 feet long and 20 to 30
feet wide. The cavern was eroded out of the middle zone of the
Blackhand sandstone. The resistant upper zone forms the roof and the
lower zone forms the floor. Water leaking through a horizontal joint
running parallel to the cliff face caused the hollowing of the
corridor. This main joint or crack is very visible in the ceiling of
the Rock House. A small series of joints run north to south at right
angles to the main joint. Enlargement of this series of joints
formed the window-like openings of Rock House.
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The Hocking State Forest land encompasses over 9000 acres. A visit
to the Hocking State Forest can take you back to the past and
provide a glimpse of the future. The sandstone cliffs reveal a
time 300 million years ago when the rivers to the east flowed into
a swallow sea covering what in now called Ohio. Over geologic
time, the land rose and small streams cut through the rock leaving
the spectacular cliffs and waterfalls present today.
Remnant communities of birch and hemlock tell of times when the
climate was much colder and glaciers threatened (but were stopped
by the hills just to the north). Large diameter 400 to 500 year
old trees tell of simpler times and primitive technology. More
recent changes are exhibited by old road beds, abandoned homesites,
and stands of pine trees now growing in what were 19th century
corn, wheat and hay fields.
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Two state nature
preserves have been established in Hocking State Forest. These
preserves - Sheick Hollow and Little Rocky Hollow - have unique and
fragile ecological systems. The preserves are managed by the ODNR
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Sheick and Little
Rocky Hollows are designated as interpretive and scientific
preserves respectively, and are not open to the general public.
Admission is by permit only. Permits are issued by the Division of
Natural Areas and Preserves who cooperatively administer the
preserves.
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Lake Logan is one of
the best fishing lakes in Ohio awaits sportsmen in Hocking County at
Lake Logan State Park. The lake sports northern pike, bass, bluegill,
crappie, catfish and saugeye. Lake Logan is a day-use park that
provides scenic picnic areas and secluded walking paths to enjoy the
wooded beauty of Ohio's hill country.
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Rockbridge State Nature Preserve The
natural arch or bridge known as Rockbridge is more than 100 feet
long and 10 to 20 feet wide. It gracefully arches 50 feet spanning a
beautiful ravine. Considered to be the largest natural bridge in the
state, it’s the highlight of an known for a diverse selection of
wildflowers. The natural Rockbridge is accessible by hiking trail or
canoe. For more information call 614-265-6453 or visit the
Rockbridge web site
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Conkle's Hollow - situated off S.R. 374 on Big
Pine Road is a rugged, rocky gorge - considered one of the deepest
in Ohio. The valley floor is a veritable wilderness covered by a
profusion of ferns and wildflowers while hemlock, birch and other
hardwood tower overhead. The growth is so thick in places that
little or no sunlight reaches the deep valley floor. The
trail leading up the narrow half-mile long ravine is surrounded by
vertical cliffs rising over 200 feet above the mouth of the gorge.
As the trail continues, the gorge narrows further to only a
distance of 300 feet from cliff to cliff.
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Kessler Swamp State Nature Preserve -
A recent gift to
ODNR, the Kessler Swamp Nature Preserve is located on Hide-Away
Hills road, adjacent to the Hide-Away Hills community. A variety
of wetland-dwelling plants thrive in the swamp, including
button-bush and bur-marigold. During the spring and fall migration
period, the preserve offers excellent waterfowl viewing. The
interior is not accessible to foot traffic; however, there is a
small vehicle pull-off area and an observation deck where visitors
can observe wildlife in an undisturbed setting. For more
information call 614-265-6453 or visit the
Kessler Swamp web site
Additional Sites of Interest
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**The
Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center in Logan, Ohio and Hocking Hills
Visitor Center in Laurelville are must stops for anyone coming to the
Hills for a one of a kind Ohio vacation. The Centers are jam-packed
with brochures, maps and new ideas for an unforgettable Hocking Hills,
Ohio travel experience. A team of seasoned volunteers are on hand who
know the area like no one else and eager to help you find everything
you need on your Hocking Hills, Ohio vacation. In Logan, the
Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center is located at US 33 and State
Route 664. It is open seven days a week and can be reached by calling
1-800-Hocking. In Laurelville, the Visitor Center is open with
seasonal hours, and is located in a quaint log cabin at the renowned
Bowers & Daughters' Laurelville Fruit Farm "Apple House" on State
Route 56 in western Hocking County.
For more information please visit
www.1800hocking.com |
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