The Underrated Natural Wonder Every Ohioan Should See At Least Once

Hiking in Ohio, you never know what you'll find.

Although our state parks are impressive when it comes to scenery, wildlife and natural wonders, the state nature preserves are hiding some pretty incredible gems as well. The Rockbridge State Nature Preserve in the small town of Rockbridge features a natural bridge that stretches more than 100 ft. long – and it’s truly incredible. Check it out:

You'll find the nature preserve right off of U.S. Route 33 on Dalton Road, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

It's located at 11475 Dalton Rd., Rockbridge, OH 43149.

The Natural Bridge Loop Trail is less than two miles long, so it's perfect for a short day hike.

Along the way, you'll see some beautiful countryside.

Portions of the trail follow wooden bridges into the woods. Other sections can be strenuous, with tree roots to step over and steep hills to conquer.

In terms of difficulty, this trail is rated as moderate.

Once you finally stumble upon the natural bridge, you'll feel like you've just discovered a beautiful secret.

Millions of years ago, this incredible bridge of Black Hand Sandstone formed from great pressure and steady erosional processes.

Over the years, the crevice widened, creating a stunning natural arch over the ledge.

Today, it's a beautiful, sturdy structure you can feel safe walking across.

You can explore this natural wonder from underneath as well, just be careful climbing down and back up.

It measures more than 100 feet long and 10-20 feet wide, arching 50 feet across the ravine.

After steady rainfall, the water trickling down into the ravine increases and forms what locals call "Rockbridge Falls" beneath the bridge.

(As an added bonus, you can even stay overnight in the area at Boulders Edge Cabin and Tipi Retreat.)

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is located at 11475 Dalton Rd., Rockbridge, OH 43149. If you’ve ever explored this natural bridge before, share your experiences and photos with us!

And if you’re looking for some more places to explore in Ohio, check out our previous article on the nearby Rock House, as well as These 13 Incredible Places In Ohio Will Bring Out The Explorer In You.