Highlands Nature Sanctuary

Part III Family Camping in Southern Ohio

On the afternoon of our first day spent exploring the area we discovered the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.  This 2000 acre preserve is located in eastern Highland County along the Rocky Fork between Rocky Fork  Lake and Paint Creek.  

A short foot trail winds to the bottom of a dolomite gorge carved out by the Rocky Fork.  Outstanding examples of Ohio's geology and diverse plant life abound in the park.

Climbing down into the gorge I could not help the feeling of being transported back in time.  Seeing this part of Ohio as it would have looked through the eyes of  Native American inhabitants or early explorers as they mapped out the details of the Ohio territory many years ago.