In the Activity Spotlight we highlight some of the many great activities available within a short drive from Ravenwood Castle.

Did you know that there are six major hiking areas in the Hocking Hills State Park?  They are Ash Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, Old Man’s Cave and Rock House.  Each of these parks is unique in their own right.  In today’s Activity Spotlight we are going to focus on the Rock House, located in Laurelville, Ohio.

Rock House is a favorite of Ravenwood Castle guests and staff alike. Once you have visited this wonderful location you will understand why.  One of the things that make this a unique place to visit is that it is the only true cave in the Hocking Hills State Park.  The cave is a tunnel like corridor which sits halfway up a 150 feet sandstone cliff. The main corridor is roughly 200 feet long, around 25 feet wide, and has a ceiling height of 25 feet.

The Rock House has seven Gothic arched windows and great sandstone columns which hold up the massive roof.  Looking around you will see evidence that the cave was used for shelter by many different people in the past.  If you look at the rear wall you will see small recesses that served as baking ovens.  The residents would build a fire in the small recesses, which would then heat the rock on all sides which allowed for food to be baked.  Upon further inspection of the area you will see chiseled out troughs or holding tanks found in the stone floor for rainwater to collect.

Legend also has it that there were some unsavory guests of the Rock House such as robbers, horse thieves, murderers and even bootleggers.  Because of this Rock House has earned a reputation as Robbers Roost.

The next time you are visiting Ravenwood Castle and up for a hike, be sure to take the time to visit the Rock House and enjoy the beautiful views!

Jim Reed

Jim Reed is a lifelong gamer who started with the original red box Dungeons & Dragons. After spending 20 years in the corporate world, he decided it was high time that work be fun and struck out on his own. Jim now owns and operates Ravenwood Castle, and spends his days ensuring his guests have as much fun as he does.