While Visiting the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, consider staying awhile to

Explore the Arc of Appalachia
 

The five county area known as the Arc of Appalachia is home for the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. This region of Ohio boasts some of the best wilderness hiking in the Midwest and is the center of several outstanding archeological sites. Be sure to check out local Visitor Bureau's links to all five counties in the Arc of Appalachia region listed below.

Private Lodging/Dining click here  Also see Fine Dining below
To view LODGING available at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, click here.
 

Visiting Cave Canyon, Highlands Nature Sanctuary

The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System has recently acquired 7 Caves, now one of our newest nature preserves, a place renowned for the beauty of its steep walled canyon, rare botanicals, and geological wonders. The park remains open to the public, but is now by guided tour only. The caves have been returned to darkness and this  once popular tourist attraction has been restored to its natural beauty and wildness, offering children and adults an educational as well as recreational nature experience. For more information, click here.

Hiking the Arc of Appalachia

The Rocky Fork Gorge -- Highlands Nature Sanctuary
The Highlands Nature Sanctuary is located on the scenic Rocky Fork Gorge, offering over twelve miles of trails. It is a place where diversity of life is honored and the connection between nature and humanity strengthened. Here you will find a 1600-acre naturalist's paradise with sheer canyon cliffs,  cool hemlock groves, towering rock formations, and true dolomite caves. An outstanding wildlflower display occurs in mid and late April. For more details on the Highlands in the Rocky Fork Gorge region click here. For more information of cave country at the Highlands, click here. For information on registering for a hiking permit (one week in advance), CLICK HERE.

Miller State Nature Preserve We highly recommend planning your trip to the Highlands and the Rocky Fork Gorge at least two weeks ahead so you can also visit Miller Preserve, which is contiguous. Run by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves; this 70-acre preserve boasts one of the most spectacular displays of shooting stars in the spring. You must apply for a permit through The Division AT LEAST two weeks in advance  www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/dnap/dnap.html  (click on “permit only preserves”, the click on “access permit required” to copy the permit)

Native American History

The lower Scioto Valley Watershed, into which the Rocky Fork drains, was once the center of the largest and most artistic and complex native American civilization north of Mexico -- the prehistoric Hopewell Culture. The culture absorbed and united the tribes across most of the continents eastern deciduous forest west of the Alleghenies for at least five hundred years in the early part of the first millennium, with trade routes stretching from Yellowstone to Michigan and Florida. Their axis of power, and the largest repository of their sacred art and massive geometrical earthworks was located in Chillicothe, Ohio -- just twenty five miles east of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.

For information on the top early Native American History sites in southern Ohio see www.ohiohistorytours.org

Seip Mound Seip Mound is located on the east side of Bainbridge on Route 50 just a few miles away from the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Free of charge. Seip was once the site of a very large geometric earthworks which contained several mounds. An extremely large mound remains and can be viewed by the public. Interpretive signs are provided for education.  www.ohiohistory.org/places/seip/  (800) 686-1535

Hopewell Culture National Historic Park The Hopewell site is located on Route 104 just north of Chillicothe. This area was once as essential sacred and ceremonial center for the Hopewell culture, boasting a huge earthworks and many burial and ceremonial mounds. A tremendous wealth of breathtaking art has been excavated from this site, many of which are on display in the museum. The earthworks has been reconstructed along with some of the mounds. A highly recommended site to see. The visitor center has wonderful exhibits and an excellent selection of books for sale. (740) 774-1126

Serpent Mound   The Serpent Mound is among the world's most impressive and significant archeological sites. Among the many earthmounds built by the early moundbuilder cultures in Eastern U.S., only a few are in the shape  of animal effigies. This one is perhaps the best in the entire world of an effigy mound. The serpent is massive, over 1/4 mile long, and stunningly executed to model the sinewy curves of a snake. The reconstructed mound evokes a sense of awe and mystery, providing more questions than answers to our archeological past.  www.ohiohistory.org/places/serpent    (800) 752-2757

Fort Hill State Memorial  Offering 1200 acres of mature forest and 11 miles of trails, Fort Hill is a spectacular hiking destination and archeological area 8 miles south of the Sanctuary.  Although a bit hard for the layman to discern with the naked eye, the flat-topped hill contains one of the best preserved Indian hilltop enclosures in North America. The Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) constructed the 1 1/2 mile long earthwork hilltop enclosure, at least two ceremonial buildings, and probably a village in the Brush creek Valley below.   www.ohiohistory.org/places/fthill  (800) 283-8905

Early Settlement History

Adena Mansion and Gardens Adena was the 2000-acre estate of Thomas Worthington (1773-1827), sixth governor of Ohio and one of the state's first United States Senators. The mansion house, completed in 1806-1807, has been restored to look much as it did when the Worthington family lived there.  Many original Worthington family furnishings are displayed there. Situated on the 300 remaining acres of the original estate are five outbuildings and formal gardens. Looking east from the north lawn, one can see across the Scioto River Valley to the Logan Range. This view is depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio. Visitors can stroll through three terraces of flowers and vegetables, as well as the shrubs and trees in the Grove. Looking east from the north lawn of the mansion, one can see across the Scioto River Valley to the Logan Range. This view is depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio. A new Museum and Education Center features interactive exhibits that use the stories of people connected to Adena to give visitors a picture of life in Ohio in the early 1800s. Adena is located at the south end of Adena Road, off Pleasant Valley Road, which is the first road west off of State Route 104, just north of the U.S. 35 interchange at the north edge of Chillicothe in Ross County. (740) 772-1500 or (800) 319-7248.  http://www.ohiokids.org/adenahouse/mus.shtml

Dental Museum (Bainbridge) By appointment only (740) 634-2228 or 634-2246

Tecumseh Outdoor Drama (Chillicothe) www.tecumsehdrama.com Mon-Sat 8 pm  June-August  (866) 775-0700
 

Swimming & Public Campgrounds

Paint Creek State Park A large beach located two miles north of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. The campground is in a young forest and is sunny, but the sites are well-spaced. Camper cabins also available. www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/paintcrk.htm (937) 365-1401

Pike Lake State Park A beach on a small and scenic lake (no motor boats) surrounded by wooded hills. A beautiful setting with a few nice hiking trails nearby. The campground has sites very close together located under a pine forest. Though sometimes crowded, it is well-loved and has a community atmosphere.  www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/pikelake.htm  (740)493-2212

Mennonite Country 

JR’s General Store is a Mennonite store a few miles southeast of 7 Caves Canyon Preserve. This is one of our favorite places to shop! Jr’s has a wonderful selection of amish cheese, jams, and pickles as well as bulk candy – even the old fashioned root beer barrel candies!  Located on St Rt 41 south of Bainbridge.

Country Crust is a Mennonite-operated bakery just across the road from JR's. Wonderful doughnuts and pastries.

Weaver’s  A Mennonite family offering a wide variety of fresh produce in season at very reasonable prices. A few miles north of Rainsboro on SR 753, on left.

Fine Dining

Moyer's Vineyards & Winery: Visit the vineyards and winery while enjoying delightful gourmet dining on the banks of the Ohio River. Meals between 9.95 and 26.95, not included in registration. 55 miles away from 7 Caves Canyon Preserve. Located in a very historic region. Reservations recommended.  937-549-2957.

Local Produce & Health Food

Sellers Orchard (513) 466-2388 In Marshall off of 506. Sellers offers several varieties of apples. A good eating apple they sell is Mutsu and they also sell Winesaps and many others.

Cundiff’s (937) 393-1411 Off of 124 near Hillsboro. Cundiff’s has an organic greenhouse with tomatoes and other organic produce in
season.  They also stock peppers, onions, cucumbers, zucchini, melons, peaches, plums, and more in season.

Hillsboro Natural Food Store (937) 393-5623 In downtown Hillsboro, on 62 South. This is a small but friendly local store. They carry organic, processed foods such as canned beans and vegetables, as well as spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cereals, snacks, peanut butter, condiments, etc. One may also find organic grains, nuts, milk, cheese, teas, tofu, and energy bars. There are Seventh Generation and other environmentally-friendly detergents, dish liquids, soaps, and shampoos. 
 

Visitor Bureaus in the Arc of Appalachia Region  

Highland County Convention Visitor’s Bureau: 1575 N High St Hillsboro (937) 393-4883

www.highlandcounty.com

Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau 25 E Main St Chillicothe (740) 702-7677

www.chillicotheohio.com/rccvb   http://www.visithistory.com/