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Visit the
Highlands Nature Sanctuary
& the
Appalachian Forest Museum
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.
The Story behind
7 Caves & Cave Canyon
The Vision
of the Appalachian Forest Museum
Natural History of the Rocky Fork Gorge
The Story
behind the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Connecting is the
first step.
e-mail
linkup.adm@highlandssanctuary.org
and ask to join our mailing list to receive
Nature Notes, educational program notices, and volunteer
opportunities
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