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Maps & Lodging for the Arc of Appalachia
2008 Wildflower Pilgrimage

Dear Friends,

The Wildflower Pilgrimage is set in five southern Ohio counties, a region boasting the highest forest density left in the state, as well as some of the most beautiful wildflower displays to be found anywhere in the world. This region is called the Arc of Appalachia, and covers Ross, Pike, Scioto, Highlands and Adams Counties. The outer region of the Arc pushes up against the leading edge of the Appalachian foothills  of southeastern Ohio.

Because the outer curve of the Arc spans approximately 90 miles in length, and both gasoline and time are precious, it is wise to orient yourselves to the Pilgrimage's morning, evening, and field trip destinations before you decide where to make your lodging reservations. We will be making some recommendations for you.

Wildflower Pilgrimage Orientation Map

For Lodging contacts, please scroll below the map for links.
 

Lodging Regions:

Recommended in descending order of recommendation: Please click on blue titles for lodging links

Region A: Closest!  Cave Canyon Preserve & the Highlands Nature Sanctuary (Highland County) is the region where breakfasts are served each morning, many hikes begin, and the Friday & Saturday evening programs are held. Close to beautiful scenery. Both Sanctuary and private lodging offered.  SANCTUARY LODGING IS FULL for 2008, BUT LAZY H CABINS ARE STILL AVAILABLE, at last contact there were still 7 openings.

Region F: Pike Lake State Park Cabins are a real bargain for atmosphere and money, and are located in a beautiful setting -- a tranquil lake-side park surrounded by a very large state forest -- Pike Forest. The cabins are approximately 12 miles from Cave Canyon Preserve, where check-in takes place, breakfasts are served, Thursday evening program is held, and many of the hikes begin. It is even closer, around 9 miles, to the Friday and Saturday evening programs' location at Paint Valley High School. Just got word one housekeeping cabin is still available. Won't last long! THERE ARE SOME STANDARD CABINS LEFT THE LAST TIME WE CHECKED. All of Pike County can be explored at www.piketravel.com but watch your distances -- it is a big county.

Region X:  ARC Interior. If you want something operated by small business owners, or possibly located in a rural and forested setting, check out a few selected options that are scattered in the interior of the Arc of Appalachia -- including a few private cottages and small motels.  Prairie Pond Woods is still available for four people--great place to stay if you are interested in the southern field trips.

Region H: Chillicothe is a very historic city with a beautiful old downtown. Once the state capital, it is surrounded by the same Appalachian hills that inspired the Great Seal of Ohio. Chillicothe is located next  to Great Seal State Park, Hopewell Culture National Monument and Ross County's Buzzard's Roost. Chillicothe has several motels, and a few bed and breakfasts. It is about a thirty minute drive to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and only twenty minutes to the evening program destination of Paint Valley High School, located just east of Bainbridge.  Chillicothe is farther away  from the southern arc destinations of Adams County than the preceding regions, but it still has a lot going for it, and it has the added benefit of lots of available lodging.

Region E: Shawnee State Park Lodge and Cabins  on the south tip of the ARC are GREAT places to stay but only if you are opting to do at least two field trips in the southern half of the Arc. The Lodge is offering discounts to Pilgrimage guests and the scenery is absolutely stunning -- BE SURE TO MENTION WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE WHEN YOU REGISTER to receive the discounts. The down side is that it is an hour and fifteen minutes to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and so you could be doing some serious driving to catch the dinners and primary evening programs held at the Sanctuary Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In order to make use of Shawnee as additional lodging, we are supplementing our evening programs by also offering both Thursday and Friday night programs in the Shawnee region. We suggest if you take this option that you plan to eat your dinners at Shawnee Lodge. There is no event on Saturday night at Shawnee and we encourage Shawnee guests to book a northern ARC field trip on that day, and come to the Sanctuary (region 1) for the Saturday dinner and evening program. The drive at least is a real pretty one --  through the heart of the ARC.

Region B:  Hillsboro is the county seat of Highland County and offers a medium-sized town with an urbanized setting. Located sixteen miles to Cave Canyon and the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Hillsboro offers direct state routes to both northern and southern hiking destinations. Many fast food operations and a few restaurants are located here. Hillsboro is in the glacial plains of western Ohio and is surrounded by farm country. Some of the town's lodging facilities are quite old -- please be discerning when you make a reservation. Recommended: Tu-Lakes Motel is half-way between Hillsboro and the Sanctuary, modest, affordable, relatively new. Days Inn --recently renovated, in Hillsboro. Coyote Creek offers high end b&b cabins this side of Hillsboro, very handsome.

DEAR FRIENDS, IF YOU CONTACT A LODGING FACILITY AND IT IS FILLED TO CAPACITY FOR THE PILGRIMAGE, PLEASE NOTIFY US AT DIRECTOR@HIGHLANDSSANCTUARY.ORG AND WE WILL MAKE A NOTE ON OUR WEBSITE SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL KNOW. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP OTHERS.
            
Lodging farther away, not necessarily recommended for Pilgrimage guests:

Region C: Adams County  is a very beautiful rural county which contains several of our nature preserves, a few of which are open for hiking permits. This link takes you to the entire county, all the way down to the Ohio River.

Region G: Portsmouth is an old river town, and a fairly large city. It is not recommended for the Pilgrimage because of distance, but it has some historic sites worth seeing if you want to investigate, including exceptionally beautiful levee murals. See Scioto County link below.

Region D: Ohio River Towns If you are fond of history, the river towns of Maysville, Ripley and Manchester are compelling destinations with many historic structures perched on the banks of the Ohio River. Lots of historic attractions in these old towns, without the distraction of too much fast food or retail. Attractions include a restored underground railroad site known as the Rankin House; and a pioneer town south of Maysville that is actually still inhabited and filled with many interesting craft stores and log cabins. This region is an acceptable drive to the Pilgrimage's southern-most field trip locations, but VERY FAR from the northern end of the Arc and far from all of the evening programs. It is therefore not recommended.

Visitor Bureaus in the Arc of Appalachia Region

Highland County Convention Visitor’s Bureau:
www.highlandcounty.com 

Ross County Convention Visitor’s Bureau:
www.visitchillicotheohio.com