Ohio Attractions: Exploring the Seven Caves Natural Landmark

The Seven Caves Natural Landmark is a 100 year oldthat features cultural history of Eastern forests. It is
private cave tourist park in Ohio. This landmark offerssituated at Rocky Road Canyon. Hence, various
astonishing display of geological formations. It is acaverns like Devil's Icebox and Dancing Cave are rich
wonderful destination for nature enthusiasts who wantin wildlife and legends. It became the dwelling place of
to immerse in the beauty of nature. Many visitorsNative Americans.
explore the pristine nature setting and described it asSeven Caves now called Cave Canyon has been a
Ohio's Wonderland.natural landmark just 70 miles from Cincinnati. It also
Seven Caves is what they called it way back in 1928.offers educational activities, self-guided tours on
Now it is called Cave Canyon offering fantastic viewsweekends, hiking and aboveground picnic sites.
of caves, cliff tops and valleys. It lies at the heart ofCampgrounds are located at Rocky Fork and Paint
Highlands Nature Sanctuary. The stunning preserve isCreek State Parks.
a one great trip for most nature lovers andIt is open to the public from April to October. Visitors
adventurers. The history and its attractions made thecan enjoy a one general entrance fee of three trails,
place truly a remarkable nature preserve with overAppalachian Nature Book Store, Cliff Deck access,
400 million years in the making.Rocky Fork Gorge overlooking and audiovisual trail
Early European settlers at Seven Caves wereorientation about Eastern forest. Cave explorations are
attracted to the cavern-rich region of Rocky Forknot included in the package.
Canyon. During 1800's local families access the gorgeThere are three self-guided trails. First is Valley of the
to explore caves. It was first named as HighlandAncients. The place has trail curves of rocks lined
Caves. Tourist was charged 10 cents as they traveldown to the Rocky Fork Creek. It views breathtaking
by horseback.panoramas of a 25 mile loop. Second is Etawah
Clyde Chaney from Indiana made some changes inWoods Loop Trail. It offers treks along the rim of
1928 upon seeing expansive possibilities to the HighlandRocky Fork Canyon. There are giant hemlocks and a
Caves. He persuaded five investors to purchase thelong flight of stairs down into the gorge. And third is the
caves. Clyde and his family developed it into a firstBig Beech Loop Trail. There are massive beech trees
class tourist destination and named it 7 Caves. Theyand tulip poplars of an intact ecosystem and forest
improved the trails and caves to preserve its beauty.community.
The entrance price was raised to 25 cents. RobertThe place also offers eco-theatrical hikes. It is offered
Judkins was the next owner who continued toduring Saturday and Sundays from Memorial to Labor
promote the caves and passed it on to the MillerDay on autumn days. Families can explore together
family who handled it for 25 years.with naturalist, William Sullivant as he records the
The site itself offers sparkling waterfalls, hemlock,natural history of Cave Canyon. Hikers can walk the
morning mist, cold springs and white cedar that havedark entrances of the caves and learn about bat
dazzled visitors. It has three hiking trails where you canpopulations. Guide hikes takes about an hour for
stroll to chasms, grottos, waterfalls, lime deposits and¼ mile.
rock formations. It is also a botanical hotspot of overThere are now current renovations of the site still
300 varieties of rare plants, wildflowers and trees. Youongoing to transform it as the world's first museum to
can go fishing and bird watching inside the caves.interpret the Eastern America's temperate forest. The
Wildflowers remain the best attraction in April. Thefantastic opportunities of humans interacting with
Pyramid of Trilliums is the most impressive floral displaynature made Cave Canyon a must-see site. It has long
tumble out on the valley sides. During spring, the snowbeen admired by visitors because of the perfect
trilliums are clinging to the bare gray rocks.time-off nature experience from the commotion of our
Seven Caves has an Appalachian Forest Museumeveryday life.