We are going to take you to a hidden gem of an area in Ohio, where anyone who needs an off-the-beaten-path vacation can thrive. Located about a 90-minute drive from Cleveland or Columbus airports, Mohican State Park and its surrounding areas offer beautiful geology, river activities, world-class hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, Covered Bridges, and local attractions.
Full disclosure: I am a little biased because I grew up here. Some of my favorite locations are listed, but if you want a personally curated list, send me a note!
J. Alexandra Sloan
Founder and Principal Geologist
4J Resources
Unique Geology in Mohican State Park
Richard345/Shutterstock.com
Mohican State Park sits within the Allegheny Plateau and is at the glacial margin of the region in southern Ashland County, Ohio.
Primary formation: You'll want to get your eyes on the Black Hand Sandstone, which is Mississippian in age.
This coarse-grained conglomeratic sandstone is a member of the Cuyahoga Formation.
There has been debate over the years around the depositional environment.
You can see excellent planar and trough cross-bedding throughout the formation in the park.
The sandstone continues to outcrop outside of the park in south-central Ohio, toward Hocking Hills State Park (another must-see stop).
Re-shaping during glaciation: The glacial boundary actually runs through the park.
The Clear Fork Gorge was created by glaciation run-off from the Wisconsin Glacier, which cut through the Black Hand Sandstone during the Pleistocene Epoch.
The gorge is over 300 feet deep and approximately 1,000 feet wide. It is also a National Natural Landmark.
The Clear Fork of the Mohican River continues to run through and shape the park today. If you take a drive along Wally Road, you can follow the river for quite a while.
Go deeper: To learn more about the geology of the park with recommendations for where to start your hike to see the thickest portion of the Black Hand Sandstone, read the geology guide here.
While enjoying your time in the Mohican Valley area, here are some fun places to check out!
Where to stay (other than the park):
Landoll's Mohican Castle: This is an actual castle, where its website suggests fantasy meets elegance. If you're looking to build your literal fairytale vacation, or if you have little ones who would love the fun flair, look no further.
BlackFork Marken Inn: This is one of the only places in the area without a two-night minimum. It is a historic B&B built in the 1860s.
For campers and RV drivers: Various Campgrounds along Wally Road offer tent camping to full-hookups. You can reserve spots here and here.
Ugly Bunny Winery: Pairs well with an early-morning walk through the park and an open afternoon. They do have a full kitchen for lunch and dinner, and a solid selection of pizzas.
Buckeye Deli–Nashville, Ohio: But if it's pizza you're looking for, you need to stop here. This is the best in the area, and they often have live music on their patio.
Activities outside the park:
Drive east on State Route 39 across Holmes County to see the heart of Amish Country.
Mohican Adventures: Here, you can canoe, raft, or tube down the Mohican River. They also have minigolf and go-karts.
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