Ohio has big cities, wonderful people, and impressive natural landscapes. Well, today we are going to focus on a few wonders of Mother Nature by looking at the 7 Most Extraordinary and Beautiful Natural Attractions in Ohio!
1. Rockbridge
Rockbridge was formed by millions of years of erosion chipping away and cracking the stone. Today, the natural bridge is over 100 feet long and arches over a 50 foot ravine, making it the largest of the 12 found in the state of Ohio.
In the spring and summer a small waterfall can be found on one side of Rockbridge, and in the winter it forms a beautiful icefall. Whatever time of year you end up visiting, you will be met with a fantastical sight that is rarely replicated in nature.
The Rockbridge is located in the Hocking Hills, and should not be missed!
2. Glacial Grooves
The glacial grooves found in Ohio were formed around 18,000 years ago, carved into the limestone by an ice sheet that sat on a portion of the North American continent. The section left today is 400 feet long, 35 feet wide, and up to 10 feet deep.
Within the limestone lie marine fossils that are estimated to be between 350 and 400 million years old. This is a really cool spot to check out if you are interested in natural history, and most who are not will still be fascinated.
Glacial Grooves State Memorial is located on Kelley’s Island on Lake Erie, which can be accessed by a ferry ride from Marblehead, Ohio. If you are willing to put in the effort to get there, the tiny island can offer a really fun weekend getaway!
3. Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls is an enchanting 60-foot waterfall found in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The layers of sandstone that make up the face of the waterfall cause the water to pool and flow at different speeds, creating a chaotic but beautiful sheet of water.
These falls change dramatically with the seasons. Colorful orange and yellow trees in the fall, ice in the winter, and higher flow in the spring and early summer. You can also hike the 1.5 mile Brandywine Gorge Trail that takes you beyond the falls, and if you’d like a couple days to explore the area check out this quaint bed and breakfast nearby.
Brandywine Falls is fantastic if you are into photography, and if your camera can take long exposure shots the water transforms into a beautiful veil! Taking in the sight is worth plenty on its own and is well worth your time.
4. The Rock House
The Rock House is a unique and exciting place to visit in the Hocking Hills. It is a cave but it is filled with natural light let in by its various openings. The Rock House sits 150 feet up the sandstone cliffside, giving you a birds eye view from inside. The caves ceiling is 25 feet high, and it stretches 200 feet from end to end.
There is evidence of Native Americans using the caves for cooking and water collection. Small recesses in the back of the cave were used for baking food, and troughs were dug into the sandstone floor to catch any water that collected in the cave during heavy rainfall.
The Rock House is located in Hocking Hills State Park. For more information about the cave and a trail map for the area visit this page. A place this unique is worth a visit!
5. The Ledges – Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Ledges hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is unlike any others in the state of Ohio. The almost daunting pillars and corridors of rock you find here will leave you feeling like a character in a fantasy novel.
The formations are estimated to have formed millions of years ago, the cliffs and boulders are made of sandstone shaped and split by erosion. If you find yourself here at sunrise or sunset, the Ritchie Ledges Overlook provides an ideal viewing point.
Here you can find a lot of information about the Ledges Trail and pictures of the area. While anyone would enjoy a trip to The Ledges, this is a great stop if you have kids who would enjoy exploring this natural playground, just make sure you keep an eye on them!
6. Old Man’s Cave
Old Man’s Cave is not in fact a cave, but it did derive its name from one. Old Man’s Cave is actually an area within the Hocking Hills that contains a handful of gorgeous waterfalls and gorges connected by several trails. It was named after a hermit, Richard Rowe, who occupied a nearby cave that he discovered in the 1790’s.
This area is split into the Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Each one offers its own uniquely attractive attributes. I encourage you to take your time to enjoy each section of Old Man’s Cave, looking out for features such as the Devil’s Bathtub (a churning trough of water) and the Sphinx Head (a curiously shaped rock formation).
You could spend the whole day exploring this beautiful park, and I wouldn’t blame you for it! Here is a large catalogue of photos from the area if you’d like a glimpse.
7. Great Serpent Mound
The Great Serpent Mound was built by Native Americans hundreds if not thousands of years ago. There is still debate on which culture built this effigy and when, some researchers believing it to originate from the Fort Ancient culture (A.D. 1,000 – 1,500), and a recent radiocarbon analysis that suggests it was built by the Adena culture around 300 B.C.
This is the largest snake effigy in the world, stretching an impressive 1,300 feet and reaching a height of 3 feet in sections. There are also three Native American burial mounds near the Giant Serpent, two belonging to the Adena Culture and the third to the Fort Ancient Culture.
For some history on the Great Serpent Mound and its purpose, visit this Khan Academy page. This is truly a world class cultural wonder, and I would not pass it by when exploring Ohio.
My hope is that at least one of these natural attractions convinces you to pay Ohio a visit. If you have the time, I encourage you to check out all 7 and maybe more. There are countless natural wonders this world has to offer, hidden away in the most unsuspecting places, so it is best to not waste time and get to exploring!
