HOCKINGSTATE FOREST

Rockclimbing & Rappelling Area

Rockclimbing & Rappelling Area

The Hocking State Forest Rockclimbing andRappelling Area, located off Big Pine Road inSpring Hollow, is the only facility on state land inthe county that permits rockclimbing andrappelling. Nearly a mile of cliff, ranging up to 100feet, along with numerous slump blocks, cracks,chimneys, and overhangs provides a variety ofchallenges to the rockclimber and rappeller.

Your safety is our main concern. Novices areencouraged to work with an experienced climber orrappeller who “knows the ropes.” Because the areais comprised of soft sandstone, use of climbing aidssuch as pitons and chocks is strongly discouraged.It is much safer to top-rope.

The area closes at dark, campfires are prohibited,and please dispose of your litter properly.

Additional InformationHocking State Forest19275 State Route 374

Rockbridge, Ohio 43149

1-877-247-8733 OR

ohiodnr.com/forestry

NON-EMERGENCIESHocking Emergency Medical Services

(740) 385-3000

EMERGENCIESCall 911

Division of Forestry • 2045 Morse Rd., H-1Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/H

Hocking State Forest History

A visit to the Hocking State Forest can take you backto the past and provide a glimpse of the future. Thesandstone cliffs reveal a time 300 million years agowhen rivers to the east flowed into a shallow seacovering what is now called Ohio. Over geologic time,the land rose and small streams cut through the rockleaving the spectacular cliffs and waterfalls presenttoday.

Remnant communities of birch and hemlock tell oftimes when the climate was much colder and glaciersthreatened (but were stopped by hills just to the north).Large diameter 400 to 500 year old trees tell ofsimpler times and primitive technology. Most recentchanges are exhibited by old road beds, abandonedhomesites, and stands of pine trees now growing inwhat were 19 century corn, wheat, and hay fields.

The Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, predeces-sor to the ODNR, Division of Forestry, started buyingHocking County land in 1924. Timber harvests wereregulated, parks were developed, erosion was con-trolled, abandoned fields were planted to trees, specieslike beaver and turkey were reintroduced, andDepression era people were given work. In 1949, theOhio Department of Natural Resources was formedand the Hocking Hills State Park was separated fromthe Hocking State Forest. In 1976, three state naturepreserves were also designated on the state forest.

Today, Hocking State Forest is managed for a varietyof objectives including examples or demonstrationareas of sound scientific sustained multiple-usemanagement. Timber harvesting is closely monitoredso it does not exceed the rate of growth. Erosion isactively controlled. Outdoor recreation is developedand encouraged. Habitat is provided and managed forgame and non-game species. The ODNR Division ofForestry state forest system is dedicated to providingan example of sound multiple-use land stewardship.

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Conkles

Hollow

SR 374

Forest

Headquarters

Big Pine Road

CR 11

SR 664

NO CLIMBING OR

RAPPELLING BEYOND

THESE POINTS

Big Pin

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Big

Sp

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Hollo

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Edison

Hollow

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Property

Private

Property

HOCKINGSTATE FOREST ROCKCLIMBING &

RAPPELLING AREA

SCALE

0 770'

FEET

LEGEND

State Highway

County (C) or Township (T) Road

Rock Face

State Forest Boundary

Point of Interest, Facility

Buckeye Trail

Buckeye Trail Horse Bypass

Trail (Foot Travel Only)

Parking

Slump

Creek

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Map reviewed and approved by David Lytle, Chief, ODNR-Division of Forestry 09/07