2000 acre hiking gateway to the cliffs,
springs & grottos
of the Rocky Fork Gorge

In the region once known as Seven Caves

The Appalachian Forest Museum lies in the heart of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary,  largest  of the Arc's twelve preserves. The Museum and its hiking trails are a wonderful destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and families wanting to immerse their children in the beauty of nature. Three spectacularly beautiful trails follow the high bluffs of the Rocky Fork Gorge and lead into an old growth forest. Access to fourteen miles of back-country trails is also available for a small extra charge. The Museum itself features the world significance of our native Appalachian Forest. The Appalachian Forest Museum displays are still being painted. When completed, eleven dramatic fine-art murals will give visitors a world view of one of the planet's most fascinating and imperiled forests. Geoff Mowery, the artist of this two year project is currently working on site on these beautiful fine art 8' x 4' paintings. Chances are, if you visit you will catch him at work. The Museum is perched on the edge of a spectacular landscape feature, the Rocky Fork Gorge, which is a botanical hotspot for rare plants and lush wildflower displays, as well as a place of outstanding geologic scenery. The Museum and trails are open to the public during our open season of April through October, during the days and hours listed below.

Serious Naturalists, for more information on the natural history of the Rocky Fork Gorge, please click here.

If you have previously visited the region when it was operated as 7 Caves, be sure to click here before planning your trip, as this destination is no longer a cave tourist park. The small caves in the main valley have been returned to darkness and are now being restored as  critical habitat for bats and other cave dwellers. We are happy to report that four species of bats have returned to the caves.

Click here for the History of the  7 Caves and the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.

Click here for more information on the Appalachian Forest Museum.


 

For one general entrance fee, visitors may enjoy:                                             

u Three breathtakingly-beautiful short nature trails; with the option of hiking more

u Appalachian Nature Bookstore featuring gifts by local artists

u Access to the Cliff Deck overlooking the Rocky Fork Gorge

u Interpretive displays about our native Eastern temperate forest

u A new mural display is being painted: watch the artist at work!

The Three Nature Trails are as follows.

All trails are narrow, but are relatively level except for a few flights of stone stairs. If you have knee or hip problems, you may have trouble navigating them. Sorry, pets are not allowed in the preserve, strollers and wheelchairs are not recommended for the trails.

Trails at the Appalachian Forest Museum lead into some of the the Eastern Forest's most stunning scenery -- sheer vertical walls of a limestone canyon, towering hemlocks and beech trees, strange and wonderful rock formations, and ancient cedar trees clinging to the rim of the gorge.

Valley of the Ancients -- a rock-lined trail curves down to the Rocky Fork Creek, winding through the bottom of a 100 foot high vertical dolomite gorge. Walk beneath towering hemlocks and rare white cedar trees of great antiquity, viewing the art of breathtaking panoramas sculpted from the elements of rock and water. .25 mile loop 

Etawah Woods Loop Trail -- This trail offers a breathtaking trek along the rim of the Rocky Fork Gorge, with beautiful views of the canyon floor.  Mid-way is a spur that takes you down a long flight of stairs into the canyon, below giant hemlocks, and eventually right up to the water, where one can enjoy the famous geologic feature known as the three sisters – three giant slumpblocks mid-stream. .33 mile loop

Big Beech Loop Trail -- See the forest through the eyes of a frontier naturalist while walking through an authentic old-growth Beech Forest.  Walk by ancient towering Tulip Poplars and massive Beech trees –  such a rare experience in modern Ohio! This is not just a forest of old trees, but an intact ecosystem and forest community. .25 mile loop
 

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

General Entry Fee
Includes Museum facilities, orientation slide presentation, and three trails available for hiking on one's own; with the option of hiking more. The Highlands Nature Sanctuary offers several additional loop trails into the Rocky Fork Gorge region. Please inquire.
$6.00 adults, $3.00 for children 15 and under (3 and under FREE)
Parents Please Note: Trails are too uneven for strollers. Please bring carriers. Sorry, as a nature preserve, pets are not permitted.

100% OF YOUR ENTRANCE FEE SUPPORTS THE EDUCATION AND LAND PRESERVATION EFFORTS OF OUR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. For more information on the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, please click here.

Medium and large children's groups, please contact us for special arrangements by calling 937-365-1935.
Because the Highlands Nature Sanctuary is a protected ecosystem with dangerous cliffs and heights, children must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

Please see schedule below for hours.
Help us protect this delicate natural area by not visiting other than during published times.

Days & Hours of Operation


Spring:  Open April and May on Saturday & Sundays

Summer: Open every day June, July, August
  
Autumn:  Open Sept. & October on Saturdays & Sundays

Doors open 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. Park closes promptly at 5:00 pm.

There are no food concessions--please bring water and packed lunches.
Picnic tables available to guests, please pack out all trash and separate out recyclables.



Click here if you wish to stay overnight:   Lodging & Nature Retreats at the Sanctuary    Area Information for Visitors

To visit in the off-season, please see our Calendar of Events and Wilderness Hiking Permits. Organized groups wishing to visit in the off-season, please call our general information line at 937-365-1935.