Rockbridge State Nature Preserve in Hocking Hills, Ohio

Ohio has 12 natural arches. The biggest, and the most impressive, of these arches sits just 20 minutes to the north of Hocking Hills State Park. It’s located in the Rockbridge Nature Preserve, standing above a recess cave in the middle of a quiet forest.

The scenery at Rockbridge rivals what you’ll see in most of Hocking Hills, but with a fraction of the people. If you visit Hocking Hills, Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is an under-the-radar spot that’s deserving of all the praise it can get. Here’s what you need to know before going:

To get to the scenery, you’ll need to do some hiking. The general rule at Hocking Hills is that if you want to get to the views, you’ll probably have to hike for at least a few minutes. That remains true at Rockbridge. The hike to the arch is less than 2 miles, though, and is doable for most people.

It’s close to a few other beautiful spots. Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is directly in between Lake Logan State Park and Clear Creek Metro Park. Once you’re done hiking, drive to either of those spots for a picnic and some more exploring.

What is Rockbridge State Nature Preserve?

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is a 182-acre natural area north of Hocking Hills. It’s a hilly, wooded preserve, with scenery much like what you’d see at Hocking Hills. But the main attractions at Rockbridge are the natural arch (or rock bridge) and the recess cave below it.

The arch, by far Ohio’s largest, is 100 feet long and between 10 to 20 feet wide in most spots. You can even walk on it—at your own risk, of course. You’ll need to hike about a half-mile to get to the arch and the cave. If you visit during the winter or spring, you can see a small waterfall—called Rockbridge Falls— spilling off the rim of the recess cave.

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is one of the least-visited attractions in the Hocking Hills region. It’s unmistakably beautiful, but it’s not in the state park itself and it gets overlooked by visitors who focus on the popular spots. If you’re looking for a little more solitude and quieter trails, pay Rockbridge a visit.

When to visit: In the winter, trails are often completely empty. It’s not hard to find solitude during the colder months. In the spring, snow melts away, the trees take on new colors, and the waterfall is at full strength. As the weather transitions to the summer, light crowds start to arrive—but you can still avoid them by going in the morning or evening. By the fall, trees don their fall colors, deep crimsons and fiery oranges, and tourists clear off the trails once again.

No matter when you choose to visit, you’ll find something to enjoy.

Where is Rockbridge State Nature Preserve?

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is just off State Highway 33, about 15 miles to the north of Hocking Hills State Park. It’s worth the drive, many times over. Here are the driving distances if you’re coming from one of Ohio’s major metro areas:

From Cleveland: Just under 3 hours.
From Cincinnati: Just under 2 hours.
From Columbus: About 45 minutes.

If you’re driving in from anywhere to the north, it’s easy to visit Rockbridge on the way, before you get to Hocking Hills.

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve hiking trails

There are two trails in Rockbridge State Nature Preserve: The Natural Bridge Trail and the Rock Shelter Trail. It’s popular to do both as a loop, which comes out to 2.7 miles and will take you past all of the sights. Here’s what you need to know about both trails.

Natural Bridge Trail: This is the popular trail to hike. It’s the one that will take you to the famous arch and recess cave. In total, the trail is about 2 miles.

You’ll start out hiking north from the small parking lot for just under a mile. When you reach a junction, take the trail on the left. The trail on the right is the Rock Shelter Trail. After another half-mile, you’ll arrive at the arch and cave. If you want to finish up, stay right on the trail to head back to the parking lot. To connect the loop with the Rock Shelter Trail, take a left at the junction after the natural arch.

Rock Shelter Trail: This trail is rougher, steeper, and less popular with hikers. But, it’s a great way to extend your hike if you’re looking for a workout and some extra views. The hike is 1.5 miles round-trip. Coming from the parking lot, take a right at the first junction to get on the Rock Shelter Trail. You can either stay left to finish the loop, or take a right at the second junction to finish your loop on the Natural Bridge Trail.

Both trails are beautiful. If you only pick one, take the Natural Bridge Trail: That’s probably what you came for.

How the Rockbridge arch and cave were formed

The Rockbridge State Nature Preserve area shares a lot in common with the rest of the Hocking Hills area: It’s filled with Black Hand sandstone.

The sandstone was formed millions of years ago. A warm, shallow sea covering Ohio began to recede, and the remaining sediments condensed to form Black Hand sandstone. Black Hand’s defining feature is that its middle layer is susceptible to erosion, while the upper and lower layers are resistant.

As wind, water, and rain weathered the sandstone over the years, the middle section was carved out. This formed the famous natural arch and the recess cave you’ll see at Rockbridge State Nature Preserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed at Rockbridge State Nature Preserve?

No. You can’t bring your dogs to Conkle’s Hollow or to Rockbridge, the two nature preserves in the Hocking Hills area. But, some of the trails within Hocking Hills State Park are dog-friendly. Check out Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave for two popular, dog-friendly areas.

How far is Rockbridge from Hocking Hills?

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is just a 20-minute drive north of Hocking Hills State Park. The nature preserve doesn’t get nearly the same number of visitors, and it’s a great choice if you want to explore somewhere off the beaten path.

Are there things to do near Rockbridge State Nature Preserve?

Yes! Rockbridge is just a couple minutes away from both Lake Logan State Park and Clear Creek Metro Park. They are both underrated spots to spend a day exploring.

Places to Stay

There are some relaxing cabins just a short drive to the south of Rockbridge. Here are some of the best accommodations if you’re looking to stay in the area.

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The Bottom Line

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is, naturally, impressive. It’s hard to beat the largest natural arch in Ohio. Like Rock House (another spot well-deserving of a visit), it’s situated outside of Hocking Hills and doesn’t receive quite as many visitors. For most people, that’s a huge plus. If you’re looking for some true, quiet exploring, Rockbridge is a gem.