Nature Awed

Raven Rock State Nature Preserve

Scioto County, Ohio · access permit required

Our take written by Nature Awed

Raven Rock is a promontory of Mississippian sandstone in Scioto County with a panoramic view over the Ohio River valley, and weathering has carved three natural arches, including one with a 10-foot span.

ODNR names the potentially threatened blackjack oak and the state-endangered small-flowered scorpion weed among its plants. Access is by permit from the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, and the page lists one hiking trail.

Our plain-language reading of the ODNR text quoted on this page. It adds no facts of its own.

Verify current visiting hours and access restrictions with ODNR's page for this preserve and ODNR's permit page before relying on this summary.

What ODNR says about it

Raven Rock is a promontory of Mississippian age sandstone overlooking the Ohio River Valley. While various legends exist as to how the hill received its name, from the air, it takes on the shape of a bird with outstretched wings. According to folklore, Native Americans used the rock as a lookout, spotting European settlers as they entered the region via flat boats on the Ohio River.
ODNR: Raven Rock State Nature Preserve · our check found this text on October 14
Today, the preserve continues to offer a panoramic view of the Ohio River valley. Weathering of the sandstone has resulted in three natural arches, the largest with a 10 foot span. The preserve is home to the potentially threatened blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) and the state endangered small-flowered scorpion weed (Phacelia dubia).
ODNR: Raven Rock State Nature Preserve · our check found this text on October 14

Visiting

ODNR's visitor notes
  • Access is by permit only from the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.
ODNR: Raven Rock State Nature Preserve · our check found this text on October 14

Trails

ODNR's trail notes
  • 1 hiking trail
ODNR: Raven Rock State Nature Preserve · our check found this text on October 14

In ODNR's preserve guide

This preserve has no row in ODNR's printed guide. The guide says: Preserves not listed are either unimproved, or require a written permit to visit. (ODNR: Ohio State Nature Preserves & Natural Areas Guide (PDF)).

Access permit required

ODNR's permit list: preserve, county, acres, issuing organization
Raven Rock Scioto 183 Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit · our check found this text on October 14
The Division's process, from ODNR's permit page
The permit application must be received by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves at least 14 days in advance of the requested visitation.
ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit · our check found this text on October 14
Permits will be issued and emailed to the applicant at least 7 days before the scheduled visit. Maps, directions and any special stipulations concerning the use of the preserve will accompany the permit.
ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit · our check found this text on October 14

Verify the current application deadlines with ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit before you rely on them.

How the access permit works, and every preserve on the list →

The land on ODNR's map

Field values as ODNR's GIS lands layer returns them (one row per mapped feature; our checker found them on October 14).
LANDS_NAMECOUNTYPROP_TYPESUM_CALC_ACRESMANAGING_AGENCY
Raven Rock State Nature PreserveSCIOTODedicated Nature Preserve181.67Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Our calculations from those features, re-computed at each check.
Mapped acres181.67 (our sum of the parcels ODNR's GIS layer maps under this name)
Access permitRequired, per ODNR's permit list
Centre of mapped land38.7196, -83.0562 (our calculation; not an entrance or parking lot)

Statewide rules

Ohio Administrative Code chapter 1501:17 sets rules for nature preserves and natural areas under ODNR's supervision or its designated custodian, on pets, drones, picnics, collecting and more. Can I…? quotes them rule by rule, with their exceptions.

Pets are prohibited at all state nature preserves, except Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve where leashed pets are only allowed on the multipurpose paved trail.
ODNR: Ohio State Nature Preserves & Natural Areas Guide page · our check found this text on October 14

Check before you go. Verify current hours, access and trail information on ODNR: Raven Rock State Nature Preserve and ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit; our checker last found the quoted words there on October 14.

Nearest other preserves

Straight-line miles between the centres of mapped land (our calculation), not driving distance.