Celebrate Ohio’s Autumn Finery at Conkles Hollow and Other ODNR Sites

Public invited to attend open house or sign up for guided tours during Oct. 12-13 event 

ROCKBRIDGE, Ohio —The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves invites the public to enjoy a fall season celebration at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve on Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Visitors will also have a chance to register to visit several preserves not normally open to the public that weekend.

At Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, visitors will be treated to some of the best viewscapes in the Hocking Hills region. The 87-acre site is best known for its spectacular views and deep gorge featuring Black Hand sandstone cliffs rising nearly 200 feet above the valley floor. During the weekend, staff can be found along both the 1-mile paved and accessible Gorge Trail, as well as along the more rugged 2.5-mile Rim Trail.

History lovers will enjoy visiting an 18th-century encampment. Historical interpreters will be demonstrating various trades and skills common to Ohio’s first settlers and explorers.

On Sunday, staff from the division’s Ohio Scenic Rivers Program will offer stream quality monitoring demonstrations at the preserve’s Big Pine Creek between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Also, the division will offer three naturalist-led tours on Saturday of state nature preserves which are generally only open for visitation with a permit. The tours will include Little Rocky Hollow, Sheick Hollow, and Saltpetre Cave state nature preserves. The hikes at Little Rocky Hollow and Sheick Hollow will last about 3-4 hours and participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch and water. The Saltpetre Cave hike will last about an hour. All three tours include hiking steep slopes and cover uneven terrain.

The guided tours require pre-registration and are limited to 15 participants per tour. Registrants for each tour will meet at Conkles Hollow at 9 a.m. and then travel to the tour site. To register for one of the three tours or for more information, call (740) 380-8918 or email eric.sagasser@dnr.state.oh.us.

Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is located at 24858 Big Pine Road in Rockbridge, Ohio 43149. For more information about the preserve, visit naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/conkleshollow.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.