Nestled between the Ohio River to the south and the Appalachian foothills to the north, the Arc of Appalachia is a nonprofit organization with a mission to buy and preserve the most intact wildlands in the heart of Appalachia.
The organization has education events, lodges and retreats, and nature preserves across southern Ohio and West Virginia.
The 3,100-acre Highlands Nature Sanctuary is an ideal starting point for Arc of Appalachia.
Guests can hike more than 16 miles of nature trails at the Sanctuary, 11 miles of Arc-maintained trails at nearby Fort Hill, and many other Arc preserves with splendid hiking trails in the larger region.
Once home to 7 Caves, a family destination that thrives in the 1960s and 1970s. The Arc of Appalachia purchased 47 of the 60-acre 7 Caves park in 1995 to preserve the land and keep Rocky Fork Gorge open to the public.
In 2005, 7 Caves closed and sold the remaining 13 acres of land and buildings to the Arc of Appalachia, becoming part of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.
Some of 7 Cave’s historic trails still serve visitors today at the Sanctuary. The old 7 Caves gift shop has been transformed into what is known today as the Appalachian Forest Museum.
Five of the original seven caves are now restored, offering hibernation sites for Ohio’s cave bats.
The Appalachian Forest Museum at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary showcases large artistic murals depicting the history of Great Hardwood Forest that once covered the Eastern third of the United States.
The Museum serves as an entry point and orientation to two short hiking trails that lead visitors into the sublime landscape of the Rocky Fork Gorge. A third trail leads to the ridgetop high above the Museum.
Entrance is free to the public.
All of the Arc’s lodges are situated at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Highland County near Bainbridge, Ohio.
Family education events are offered monthly during open hours.
The Sanctuary’s Nature if Neat! program promotes exploration and learning through hands-on nature experiences.
