Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve

Trail FactsBoch Hollow State Nature Preserve7 miDistance

Boch Hollow became an official Ohio State Nature Preserve in 2008, designated to protect its rich ecosystems and serve as an environmental education site for Appalachian Ohio ecology. Formerly private land owned by local families, the preserve was transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) with an endowment to support education and conservation programs.

It also hosts the largest known population of the federally endangered Running Buffalo Clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) in Ohio — a rare plant that once depended on bison-disturbed soils.

Size & Setting

The preserve is about 703 acres of forested hills, ridges, ponds, and riparian corridors near the edge of the Hocking Hills region (ODNR Boch Hollow materials as of September 2026; older secondary guides often still say ~607). It lies north of Hocking Hills State Park and offers a quieter forest experience.

Visitor info (as of September 2026): Open ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Pets are not permitted. No restrooms. Stay on designated trails. Three trailheads:

• North: 31893 Beach Camp Road, Logan, OH 43138 (use other lots if full)
• East: 7793 Bremen Road, Logan, OH 43138
• West: 7100 State Route 664, Logan, OH 43138 (bus parking) Laurel Falls viewing requires a free ODNR access permit. Re-check ODNR (property HTML intermittently 404’d from this runner).

Boch Hollow History

The preserve’s name comes from the Boch family, who had once owned property.

In the 1960s, Dr. Francis Kessler (an anatomy and physiology professor at The Ohio State University) and his wife Joyce began acquiring land in what is now Boch Hollow. Dr. Kessler grew up in the area and was deeply interested in preserving its natural character.

The Kesslers envisioned protecting the woodlands, streams, and ecological diversity of the hollow, and using it as a site for nature study and conservation — a purpose that shaped its long-term mission.

Eventually the Kesslers donated the land to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) — formally transforming private property into a public State Nature Preserve. They also helped establish an endowment fund to support preservation and educational programming, ensuring not just protection of the land but active learning opportunities for school groups and visitors.

While the broader Hocking Hills has a long timeline of Native American presence and early settlement use, Boch Hollow’s recorded historical identity focuses more on 20th-century conservation efforts and modern public stewardship rather than early human habitation.

Geology

Boch Hollow sits along the southeastern fringes of the Appalachian Plateau, sharing geological characteristics with Hocking Hills — including sandstone outcrops, slopes carved by ancient water action, and forested valleys.

You’ll find riparian corridors, steep wooded hills, ponds, and seeps (wet slopes where groundwater emerges), making the terrain both scenic and ecologically varied.

Water Features

Laurel Falls (also known locally as Robinson or Corkscrew Falls): A rare example of a canyon waterfall in Ohio. Visiting this feature requires a free access permit from ODNR.

State Nature Preserves Access Permit

Small ponds and streams are scattered throughout the preserve, adding to its ecological diversity and seasonal interest.

Hiking Trails

There are about 7 miles (11+ km) of interconnected trails weaving through varied terrain like ridges, woods, old fields, pond edges, and sandstone outcrops. A section of the famous Buckeye Trail (Ohio’s 1,444-mile loop trail) runs through the preserve for roughly 4 miles, linking different trailheads.

Key Trails & Routes

ODNR lists about 7 miles of trails and three trailheads (Beach Camp / Bremen / SR 664). A Buckeye Trail segment runs through the preserve. Community GPS loops (Boch Hollow Loop ~6–7 mi, meadow/pond connectors, cemetery loop) are useful planning sketches but are not a substitute for the official preserve map — match distance/elevation to the signed trails on site. Occasional guided/history hikes are offered by DNAP; check current programs. Laurel Falls remains permit-only.

⚠️* Dogs and pets are not permitted on Ohio State Nature Preserve trails.*

Mission

The preserve’s mission emphasizes hands-on environmental education, with programs geared toward school groups, civic organizations, and visitors.

Conclusion

We enjoyed hiking Boch Hollow and seeing Laurel Falls. It is really nice and peaceful compared to Old Man's Cave and the other well-known Hocking County spots. You won't regret a visit to Boch Hollow.