Directions to the Appalachian Forest Museum
Visitor Center of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Headquarters of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System
7660 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612

Unless you are a member, please visit  the Appalachian Forest Museum  during normal open hours.

The Appalachian Forest Museum in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary is located in south-central Ohio approximately 25 miles west of Chillicothe, and 17 miles east of Hillsboro. It is one mile south of Highway 50 on Cave Road.

From the West through Cincinnati:
Your final destination of the Cave Canyon on Cave Road is approximately 70 miles from Outerbelt 275. We estimate it is a one hour and fifteen minute drive from the outerbelt. To Begin: Get on the 275 outerbelt around Cincinnati and go to to Milford area (southeast corner of the metropolis on 275, if 275 were a clock the exit would be at 3:30). Exit on Route 50 east. Follow 50 east approximately 40 miles to the town of Hillsboro. (Alternatively, if you are driving eastward around the south side of Cincinnati, you can exit off of 275 on SR 32, continue east, at Batavia take SR 132 north to Owensville, and turn right or east on 50 towards Hillsboro). Cave Rd is approximately 15 miles east of downtown Hillsboro on Rt. 50. As you begin to enter the Highlands region, you will drive through the small village of Rainsboro, marked by a reflective green sign. Exactly 1.8 miles past Rainsboro note Browning Rd. as a landmark on your right. Set your odometer but don't turn here. Further down Route 50 you will see Cole’s Bait and Tackle on the left. Continue on Rt. 50. Two and one half miles past Browning Road you will see a sign identifying Rocky Fork Creek just before a bridge. Cave Rd is immediately on the right after crossing the bridge. (If you come to Rapid Forge Rd or the Rest Area, you have gone too far). After turning right on Cave Rd. Set your odometer to zero. At the one mile mark, you will have arrived at the Appalachian Forest Museum (click here for hours)

From the North through Dayton. It will take approximately one hour and forty minutes to get from Dayton to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. To begin, from Dayton take SR 35 east all the way to Washington Courthouse. At Washington Courthouse, turn south on 753 and take it all the way to Greenfield. At Greenfield, follow the signs through town, and continue on 753 all the way to Hwy 50 in the little town of Rainsboro. Turn left or east on 50. Exactly 1.8 miles past Rainsboro watch for Browning Rd. as a landmark on your right. Set your odometer. Further down Route 50 you will see Paint Creek State Park’s Cole’s Bait and Tackle on the left. Continue on Rt. 50. Two and one half miles past Browning Road you will see a sign identifying Rocky Fork Creek just before a bridge. Cave Rd is immediately on the right after crossing the bridge. (If you come to Rapid Forge Rd or the Rest Area, you have gone too far). After turning right on Cave Rd. Set your odometer to zero. At the one mile mark, you will have arrived at the Appalachian Forest Museum (click here for hours)

From the South through Peebles on State Route 41:
Go north on State Route 41 through Peebles, Locust Grove, and Sinking Springs. At Cynthiana, turn left at the center of town on Barrett's Mill Road. Follow Barrett's Mill Road north for a few miles. You will pass Cynthiana Road on your left, then McNary on your right, then Brier Hill on your right. The very next road just a tenth of a mile on your right (the sign is not overtly noticeable but it is there) is Cave Road. Turn here and set your odometer to zero. If you cross over the Rocky Fork on Barrett's Mill Road you went too far. Continue following Cave Road. The Appalachian Forest Museum will be 2.5 miles down the road. From Peebles to Cave Road  is approximately 35 minutes.