11 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Bainbridge, OHCome stay at our little sustainable farmstead amid the beautiful rolling hills of southern Ohio!
Our peaceful 20 acres has a good mix of woods, wild meadows and maintained cleared areas as well as a small pond, all of which can be explored via our nature trail. Enjoy the sounds of nature and an incredible night sky.
Farm fresh eggs and fresh produce are available for purchase during the growing season and firewood is available all year round.
There is also a wonderful sauna on the property that can be reserved.
Great hiking, kayaking, biking, birding, fishing, swimming, and disc-golfing opportunities just a few miles away at Paint Creek State Park and the Highland Nature Sanctuary. Amish country is also just 15 minutes away with a great bakery, markets and greenhouses. This area is home to an impressive network of ancient earthworks including the world famous Serpent Mound.
Our accommodations range from primitive tent-camping to "glamping" in one of our tiny off-grid cabins.
The sites are spaced out for privacy and each site offers a private picnic table and fire pit. There are two shared privies/outhouses which have basic composting toilets. A grassy parking area is provided near the road, however, ALL SITES ARE WALK-IN ONLY.
POINTS OF INTEREST in the area:
The HIGHLANDS NATURE SANCTUARY (7 miles away), previously called "7 Caves" is highly recommended for some beautiful hiking. There is a small museum (The Appalachian Forest Museum) at the main trailhead by the parking area... the folks there can direct you to a couple of other great trails nearby if you're interested in further hiking. NOTE: Most of the trails within the sanctuary are not open to dogs, however, there are a couple of dog-friendly trails (inquire at the museum). Museum is closed for the winter (Nov-March). **Recommended trails: Valley of the Ancients (1/2mile, start at museum) and the Barrett's Rim Trail (2.5 mile loop) and the Kamelands Trail, which are both accessible during the pandemic.
AMISH BAKERY (Country Crust Bakery) & MARKET (JRs General Store)* on 41 South in Bainbridge (15-20min away): The bakery is a great lunch stop for a fresh, soft Pretzel Bun sandwich (delicious) and to load up on fresh baked goods (the apple fritter is my fave!). The market, which is almost right across from the bakery, is also worth checking out... delicious deli sandwiches and great deals on spices, cheeses, pickles, jams, bulk foods, produce, etc. Watch out for horse & buggy traffic... and bicycles! *The Amish accept cash or check only and are closed on Sunday.
In the teeny town of BAINBRIDGE (10-15min away): There are some nice antique/primitive shops around; in particular, Ancient Valley Mercantile has a nice selection of antiques as well as local art, gifts, gourmet coffees, local honey, etc. There's a wonderful little cafe (634 Coffee + Cafe, inside the historic Paxton Theater) that offers coffee drinks, pastries, soups and sandwiches. Stop into Pap's Hilltop Honey and Distillery, where you can purchase and sample a variety of moonshine flavors and cocktails. The Paxton Restaurant has good home cooked meals and a variety of pies and cheesecakes for dessert. Or grab an ice cream at the Dairy Queen before strolling the primitive shops.
PAINT CREEK LAKE STATE PARK: (2 miles away) There are dog-friendly hiking trails (the harmony trail and little pond trail are personal favorites), mountain bike trails, a 21-hole disc golf course, boat ramp (if you have kayaks, you can paddle around on the lake... this spot is excellent at sunset), and a camp store that has ice and hand-dipped ice cream. There is also a BEACH, which is good for picnicking and swimming, located at the southern entrance, off of SR 50.
GREENFIELD: This town is closer (5 miles) and larger than Bainbridge and good for getting supplies. There are some restaurants, bars and supermarkets (Community Markets, at the further end of town, is recommended over the Save-a-Lot), El Canon (Mexican) would be my restaurant of choice if you decide to eat out. Catch 22 Sports Bar has good burgers and there are plenty of pizza options for dine in or take-out.
COVERED BRIDGE: There is a sweet little covered bridge that you can still drive across in the tiny town of South Salem, just a 5 minute drive away. To get there from here, take 41 North and then take a right onto Lower Twin Rd and drive a few miles and you will come to the bridge.
SERPENT MOUND (about 30 miles away, Peebles, OH) is an internationally known National Historic Landmark built by the ancient American Indian cultures of Ohio. It is an effigy mound representing a snake with a curled tail. Nearby are three burial mounds—two created by the Adena culture (800 B.C.–A.D. 100), and one by the Fort Ancient culture (A.D. 1000–1650). A must see!
CHILLICOTHE (Ohio's first capital): (30 minutes away) The historic downtown boasts charming architecture and is perfect for exploring on foot. Several local shops, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and bars. A lovely city park with a small lake is host to a year-round population of ducks, geese and swans. There is also a disc golf course and skate park in the city park. There is frequent live music, gourmet cocktails and a wide variety of craft beer at Steiner's Speakeasy (an Americana-style bourbon bar of America).
GREAT SEAL STATE PARK (about 35 miles away in Chillicothe): If you are into mountain biking, you will find some of the best trails in the state here (start at the Lick Run parking area). There is also a great disc golf course here along with a picnic shelter and a playground for the kids.
FORT HILL EARTHWORKS & NATURE PRESERVE: (30 minutes away) This preserve encompasses 1300 acres of mature woodlands and 11 miles of some of the best hiking trails in the state. Part of the Old Growth Forest Network, there are remnants of the temperate deciduous forests that once covered all of the eastern United States. For archaeology enthusiasts, there is a stone and earthen wall hilltop enclosure, as well as a smaller circular earthwork (both of which can be difficult to discern).
