At Flint Ridge, a material comes into view both as a natural feature and as part of cultural history. The nearly eight-mile vein of high-quality flint lies in Licking and Muskingum Counties in eastern Ohio. The rainbow-colored flint was used for trade and to make tools and weapons. At Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries & Nature Preserve, trails lead through a 533-acre preserve.

Flint and Earthworks

At Flint Ridge, a striking geological feature, the history of flint use and a trail network through the preserve all come together. The contrast between the natural vein and the material people used for trade and to make tools and weapons gives the site a distinctive cultural-historical dimension.

In Newark, the shape of the earthworks takes center stage. The Great Circle Mound was built by the Hopewell Nation about 2,000 years ago. The Octagon Earthworks consist of two geometric enclosures: a circle and a larger octagon. A line from the center of the Great Circle Mound to the Observatory Circle of the Octagon Earthworks points to the northernmost moonrise on the eastern horizon. This brings the geometry of the structures and their alignment into focus together.

The Great Circle Earthworks have a small museum, a gift shop and a restroom. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Trails Between Lake, River and Viewpoint

At Dawes Arboretum, the 2.75-mile Lake Trail leads to an observation tower overlooking the well-known Hedge Letters and Dawes Lake. If you’re choosing by listed trail length, the Newell Recreation Preserve offers a much shorter section of the Ohio-to-Erie Trail—about a quarter of a mile—than the Lake Trail.

Blackhand Gorge offers a different landscape: a paved trail runs along the Licking River, beneath towering old cliffs. For paddle craft, the Blackhand Gorge access area has 30 parking spaces and three spaces for boat trailers. An access road allows you to unload near the riverbank. Before heading out, check the latest information on access and parking.

Houses and Collections

The histories of the two houses are quite different: the Sherwood-Davidson House was originally built in 1828 by local merchant Buckingham Sherwood, while Frank Camden Webb built the Webb House in 1907 for his bride, Shirley Pister. The Sherwood-Davidson House Museum is open by appointment from May through December. Arrange your visit in advance and check the latest information before your trip.

For culture enthusiasts, the attractions have different focuses: The Works in Newark includes the SciDome planetarium, glassworks, historical artifacts and hands-on science labs. The National Heisey Glass Museum has its own collection focus: in two connected buildings, it displays more than 6,000 pieces of Heisey glassware.

Buckeye Lake in the Regional Picture

Licking County borders Buckeye Lake to the north. The Ohio Canal project of 1825 enlarged the lake, linking Buckeye Lake’s regional location with a specific episode in its history.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hebron, Heath, Buckeye Lake, Granville and Pataskala; Hocking County, Greene and Hamilton.

For the main travel overview: Ohio.