Rockbridge State
Nature Preserve

To get there: In Hocking County go about 1.5 miles south of the village of Rockbridge. Turn east off U..S. 33 at Crawford-Stamer Road and proceed to the parking area.

The largest natural rock bridge in the state arcs over a feeder stream of the Hocking River in this secluded nature preserve. From the parking area, follow the trail through the narrow fenced-in corridor, past elderberry groves and pawpaw trees until it reaches a scenic open field hilltop. From this high point, the trail descends into a climax forest and follows a winding stream that eventually plunges 50 feet to the ravine floor below the bridge. The trail continues through an area rich in wildflowers to a wooded hilltop.

Breeding bird specialties include Green-backed Heron, Wood Ducks, Great Crested Flycatchers, Rough-winged Swallows, Carolina Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Wood Thrushes, Cedar Waxwings, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, Warbling, and Red-eyed vireos, Summer and Scarlet tanagers, the following warblers: Blue-winged, Northern Parula, Yellow, Yellow-throated, Cerulean, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded, and Yellow-breasted Chat, and Northern and Orchard orioles,