The Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve is a wonderful place to visit. Located about 20 minutes from Lancaster Ohio, Christmas Rocks Parking - Google Maps you will find yourself captivated by the colors and sounds that will make you glad you are there.
First, you see the Mink Hollow Covered Bridge that crosses Arney Run. This fifty-four-foot bridge was built in 1887 by Jacob R. (Blue Jeans) Brandt. It is a beautiful bridge and worth the trip on its own.
The trail starts out on Oil Mill Hollow Road S.W. following Arney Run. You follow the road until you come to the trailhead. There is a rustic barn at the end of the road. I love this barn because it reminds me of my childhood. My grandparents had a barn just like this one.
It seemed to be the model at the time. This is where you will see the Christmas Rocks sign. Going forward, the trail is an old access road, although it might have been a continuation of Oil Mill Hollow Road. If you follow it for a mile or so it comes to Arney Run. I don't know if there was ever a bridge there, but when you look across the creek the lane starts to disappear.
It's an easy trail to follow at this point. Fairly flat. The trail is made up of two loops. The nice thing about this is you can break the day up if you like. We have hiked here several times, and I must admit two things.
The first loop is where Jacobs Ladder is but I'm not sure of this. The second is that even though Christmas Rocks is marked on the map I have never seen the actual rocks! This doesn't bother me because it gives me an excuse to keep returning to take another look.
The first loop is marked pretty well and it's an easy trail to follow. (This is why I like my All-Trails app. No guess work!) I have taken this trail using both the first access and hiking the trail in reverse. The only difference is if you want to hike up the steep part or down going the other way.
I must admit that it's pretty steep but well worth the effort. At the top is what I believe to be Jacobs Ladder. Either way, it might be the best view I've seen in Ohio. It makes me feel like I could be up in the Smokies. I usually spend time here just enjoying the view.
Your enjoyment doesn't end here, though. Assuming you are hiking clockwise, the trail is a slow decent back to the access road. It is a well-traveled trail that is full of flowers and many different types of trees that looks different every season. I enjoy this part almost as much.
The second loop fascinates me. We have only done it a couple of times because that is a pretty long day of hiking for us. It is a very similar trail to the first loop and Christmas Rocks is listed on this trail. Unless we don't realize we are looking at Christmas Rocks, we haven't located them.
I also can't say that I've seen a picture of them. All I can say is that we found an old, dilapidated set of steps about three quarters of the way around the loop. It seems that at one time they were meant for something, being out in the middle of nowhere, but I won't go down them because they don't look very safe. I also haven't had the energy to explore the area: it's pretty steep.
The rest of the day you just enjoy following Arney Run. If it rains the water flowing downstream sounds peaceful. You will probably see some squirrels and hear birds singing too.
Christmas Rock State Nature Preserve is at the top of my list for the most enjoyable place to visit in Ohio. The environment hasn't been disturbed too much and it hasn't had the 'improvements" needed to develop it into a State Park.
Even though we sometimes have to get permits (you don't need one here) to visit Ohio's Nature Preserves it is worth it to see undisturbed nature in a setting like this. I truly hope you will get a chance to visit Christmas Rocks someday.
Christmas Rocks Nature Preserve
