Heritage News * of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio

I took advantage of the last guided tour of the season offered by the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and toured their latest almost-purchase, Seven Caves. The Highlands is mostly just beyond the Ross County line in Highland County, where this enterprising group has been gathering land for the last several years around the Seven Caves. Now, they at last are in the process of acquiring their final goal, the cave system itself.

looking out from a cave with tour group inside

A brief visit to the entrance only of one of the Seven Caves.

The tour entered only one short cave so as to not disturb the wildlife that has been returning to them. Ever since the lights were turned off only a few weeks before, many species of animals that have not been seen in the caves for decades have been migrating into them for their winter respite. My how word spreads!

The Seven Caves may have originally been one cave with many branches thousands of years ago. The roof collapsed, leaving the many small caves and a narrow, winding canyon. We toured that canyon, talking of salamanders, bats, wildflowers, trees, and the group's hopes for the unique land. The Highlands has not paid off their purchase yet, and any donation is appreciated - see their website for more information.

The next general public tour of the Seven Caves offered by the Highlands Nature Sanctuary will be May 1st.


looking out from a cave with tour group inside

Conversing with two giants along the Rocky Fork.

odd-little elongated heart-shaped plant spreading over a boulder

One of the denizens of Seven Caves, a vegetative one - the "Walking Fern," so-called bacause its leaves sprout baby plants at their tips. This little colony may be hundreds of years old.


group of people at little stone arched briage, in canyon

The tour group pauses at the picturesque little stone bridge in the middle of the gorge.


three evergreens amid bare broadleaf trees

Another rare inhabitant of the Seven Caves, arborvitae trees. This species grows slowly - the one in the center may be 800 to 1,000 years old.


looking down into a dramatic gorge walled with limestone cliffs

The dramatic limestone gorge of Rocky Fork of Paint Creek is the outlet for the little gorge that drains the Seven Caves.

countertops with a collection of artifacts and natural displays

The "Cliff House" is now a nature center, with a collection of natural items taking the place of trinkets for sale.


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