Rockbridge State Nature Preserve — Attraction in Logan

My parents told us about this preserve and the natural bridge, so we just had to see it! Follow your map or GPS...the entrance to the preserve is not marked well at all and when you turn onto it, you will think you're driving down a private road...keep going...you'll pass farms and homes and then you'll dead end into the parking area for the preserve (which is all of about 6 or 7 parking spaces). You'll see a large cabin to the right of the trail entrance (this is private property). The easement was rather narrow for the preserve trail, so you'll notice there is farmland on both sides of you as you hike the first third or so of the trail. The entrance to the trail however is well marked, thankfully.

The hike starts out on a grassy path, but increases in difficulty. There are very steep areas (the path is a loop so you encounter them coming and going) that would be challenging for anyone with physical difficulties, but if you go slow, it could very well be doable. Some areas of the path have a lot of roots, so you'll have to watch where you step.

The beauty of the hike is well worth the physical effort you'll expend! We were treated to sightings of a young buck, a doe and her fawn...all of whom just watched us with interest and walked alongside us for a time!

The natural bridge is amazing! The scenery around it is beautiful as well and it was so very quiet when we were there, which made it even more wonderful.

Anyone with children - please note - caution is crucial...the natural bridge is just that - a bridge - and it's narrow in one spot...potentially dangerous environment for young children or anyone with questionable balance (this is just my opinion, not a judgement on anyone's parenting).

This is just one of many natural preserves in Ohio and one well...

It was a neat hike although longer than I expected and had a decent amount of ups and downs. It's good for getting your heart rate going. The first section is flat through a prairie with lots of interesting plants and wildflowers. Then you enter the forest and begin going through rolling hills of ups and downs. There is a loop once you enter the woods. I went left and came back on the trail on the right. This seemed to be the more difficult route as the trail to the left was a gradual descent where the trail coming back up seemed to be more steep and difficult to ascend. The rock bridge is pretty neat. You can go under it a little bit but there are roped off areas for the majority of the bottom. I went on a Saturday afternoon and while the parking lot was fairly full, it wasn't overwhelmingly busy like other areas of the Hocking Hills can be. This is probably due to the length of the hike. If you are coming from Logan, the turn off of 33 is very small and almost looks wrong. It's a small road that leads you back down along 33 before turning away from the highway to go back to the...

Seems like a roadside attraction but it is not. Rating low because of little information easily available on the trail and skill level required. The map at the trailhead says 1.75mi I believe and half the trail looks straight and easy and the other half appears to just meander to Rockbridge. But the second half is hilly with relentless roots. People with smaller kids, inadequate footwear, or limited interest in a workout will be disappointed although Rockbridge is pretty cool. I could have done the trail easily but with family was a challenge or worse. Need better trail map and information like every other attraction in the area. Private store at the trailhead was closed on a nice weekend day so those exhausted by the hike will have to wait for...