Hocking Hills Scenic Byway

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Photos © www.1800hocking.com

 

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Sites of Interest
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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 

                                  

**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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OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,  1980 W. BROAD ST., COLUMBUS, OHIO, USA, 43223