Cave Canyon Nature Preserve
Spend a day in nature at Cave Canyon Nature Preserve—visitor showcase for the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System located in south-central Ohio. The region abounds with cliffs and canyons, seeps and springs, sinkholes and small caves. An imposing 100 foot-deep vertical canyon carved by the Rocky Fork Creek winds through the heart of the preserve, presenting an enchanting rock-walled gorge. Over a millennia ago, huge chunks of dolomite stone blocks cleaved away from the canyon wall, creating a labyrinth of fallen boulders, now covered with ferns and mosses. Breathtakingly beautiful nature trails meander through magical rockscapes, delighting visitors of all ages. In the spring, the canyon of the Rocky Fork Creek is filled with some of the best wildflower displays to be found in the country, and in the autumn, it boasts classic Appalachian fall color.
Cave Canyon Nature Preserve is the latest chapter in the long story of nature’s special relationship with people in this unusually scenic region. Two thousand years ago, the Rocky Fork Gorge was part of the motherlands for the artistic Hopewell Culture. Centuries later, it was home to the Shawnee. In the 1800’s, the cave country was named Highland Park and was, for the first time, developed as a tourist attraction—offering adventure for the entry fee of a mere ten cents! Then, in 1928 it was named 7 Caves, and developed as a cave exploration park designed especially for children. It continued to ably serve the outdoor recreation needs of the public until the 21st century, when dropping attendance and rising expenses put the park—which had virtually never been closed to the public since the twenties—at risk.
Fortunately the non-profit, the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, was created and set as its first mission to save 7 Caves. Because of the region’s unique geology, rare caves, and dozens of imperiled flower species, the site was recognized by both the Arc and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as one of the most significant botanical and geological regions in the state to save and protect. In 2005, the Department purchased a conservation easement on the property that would protect it into perpetuity. In 2006, the park was successfully purchased by the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System with a mission to restore and protect the regions rich natural history, and keep its doors open to the public. In 2007, the preserve was once again renamed to Cave Canyon Nature Preserve, and has been developed into a hiking destination and outdoor education center for visitors of all ages.
For one general admission fee, visitors may enjoy three breathtakingly beautiful self-guided trails. For a small additional fee, compelling trailside ecological-theatre is offered during the summer months. Families may partake on a guided walk with a famous frontier naturalist, William Sullivant. He is a true historic botanist come to life. He lived in Ohio during the mid-1800’s, and was the son of one of the wealthy founders of Columbus—surveyor and banker Lucas Sullivant. Sullivant dearly loved the Rocky Fork Gorge region as a botanical destination and was the discoverer of one of its rarest plants, Sullivantia sullivantii. He lived at a time when the memory of the unbroken Eastern wilderness was not yet forgotten, and fragments of the ancient forest remained here and there. With the help of Sullivant’s perspective and knowledge guiding the way, families can go back in time and explore the lush valley of Cave Canyon, discovering what the landscape would have looked like to early settlers.
The Rocky Fork Gorge region is known for its many small caves, 23 in all, making it the second densest cave system in Ohio. These caves provide crucial habitat for many types of creatures that weave into the delicate ecological fabric of this region. Lit with electric lights since 1928, restoration efforts have now returned darkness to the caves, providing natural shelter for many cave dwellers, including native bats, salamanders, snakes, cave crickets and spiders, tiny cave isopods, raccoons, foxes and even screech owls.
Cave Canyon Preserve is just one of many preserves that make up the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System’s larger vision for protecting Ohio’s natural areas. The mission of the organization is to create an emerald quilting of protected lands within a ninety-mile crescent of land in southern Ohio. Working in five counties—Highland, Ross, Adams, Pike and Scioto—the preserve system has chosen a region claiming the highest plant and animal diversity in the state, the most intact forest cover, the richest in intact waterways and among the lowest in population. The Arc of Appalachia region is bounded on the west by the leading front of the southern Appalachian foothills, and on the east by the mighty Scioto River. The Arc works to accomplish forest preservation by first, buying land in key botanical “hotspots,” and then slowly expanding these seed preserves in size as funds for land procurement allow, and neighboring lands come up for sale. As each seed reserve grows in size, it grows in stability and diversity. In addition to forest preservation, the Arc also preserves important associated eco-systems, including wetlands and native prairies.
Today, the Arc has eleven different “seed” preserves in the Arc of Appalachia, protecting more than 3,000 acres of natural areas. Cave Canyon is located in the Arc’s oldest and largest preserve—the 2000-acre Highlands Nature Sanctuary.
For more information on Cave Canyon, the Arc, internships and volunteer opportunities, workshops, and special events such as the Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, visit www.arcofappalachia.org or call 937-365-1935.