Big Cola Wetlands

Visiting Big Cola Wetlands

Big Cola Wetlands lies near Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills and features one of the region’s most dynamic landscapes. Accessing the trail at Big Cola Wetlands is by permit only. This system limits the number of people accessing the preserve each day so that the preserve’s sensitive habitats and botanicals can be protected into the far-flung future.

How the Permit System Works. A link to the permit application can be found at the bottom of this webpage. If the vehicle limit has not yet been reached on your requested date and you don’t exceed one application per month, your permit will be approved. The emailed permit package will include a two-page hiking guide with preserve regulations, natural history, trail map, directions, and a passcode to the entrance gate. Please note that the gate will be locked upon your arrival. After you open the lock with the password, be sure to shut and lock the gate behind you - both when you enter and when you depart. Please read the following orientation material before applying for a permit. Permit holders violating Arc regulations will be denied future permits and they risk getting their car towed.

Permit Maximum. A maximum of five people are permitted per vehicle, and a total of six cars are permitted each day. Permits for multiple cars are not permitted, and each applicant may only submit one permit request in any one month. This policy will allow more visitors to witness the preserve’s outstanding beauty, which is our highest goal. Big Cola’s trailhead can only hold six vehicles if cars are parked in an organized manner. Please follow the parking directions provided in your permit packet to ensure that all guests with permits can find a parking space when they arrive. If you wish to bring an organized group too large to apply through this system, please inquire with our office staff on how to proceed. Call 937-365-1935 or write to arcpreserveinfo@gmail.com.

Why does Big Cola Wetlands have limited access? Unfortunately, most of the public lands in Hocking Hills have been heavily damaged by the large numbers of visitors who are attracted to the region’s compelling scenery. It only takes a small percentage of visitors straying off-trail to negatively impact the vulnerable plants and animals that live there. We ask that all visitors respectfully follow the trail regulations provided with your permit. It only takes one person to destroy an ecosystem, so we must work together to preserve Ohio’s natural beauty for future generations.

How far in advance can I apply for a permit? Permit applications run in monthly cycles, and each cycle begins anew on the first of the month. You can only apply for a permit in the current calendar month. If interested in applying for a permit for a future month, please wait for your desired month to arrive to submit your application.

How long do I have to wait to receive my emailed permit? So long as your application is for a date that is still available, and so long as you haven’t exceeded one application in that month, you will receive your permit in just minutes.

Is there a fee for a permit? No, permits are free. However, stewarding our preserves and maintaining nearly 100 miles of public trails is an expensive proposition for our nonprofit, the Arc of Appalachia. Because the Arc is not tax-supported, we are entirely dependent on donations to keep Big Cola Wetlands and our other preserves open to the public. We would greatly appreciate your gift of support.

Arc regulations can be summarized as follows: Remain on trails at all times and walk in single file to protect the bulbs of native wildflowers bordering the trail - bulbs that are very vulnerable to soil compaction. Do not disturb, pick, or collect flowers, plants, rocks, or wildlife. Hunting, caving, fishing, trail biking, rock climbing, wading, campfires, and swimming are prohibited. Sorry, dogs are not permitted in this delicate landscape.

Hiking Trail Difficulty – 1 mile loop, Easy.

Beaverbrook Trail Description. The Beaverbrook Trail begins by gently meandering above the marsh on a 400-foot ADA-accessible boardwalk, where native wetland plants press close to the planks. It then enters a covered shelter house, where visitors are encouraged to pause and enjoy the sights and sounds of the denizens of the wetlands. From this welcoming vantage point, visitors can watch waterfowl glide gracefully across the open ponds, while butterflies and other lepidopterans drift among the blooming shoreline vegetation. 

Between the ponds and Big Cola Stream, the landscape tells a powerful story of renewal. Beaver-driven modifications have reshaped the floodplain, restoring natural wetland hydrology and creating a mosaic of shallow pools, saturated soils, and new habitat for aquatic vegetation. Thanks to the beaver, many new species of amphibians, birds, and aquatic invertebrates now call this place home.

Beyond the wetlands, the forest transitions into a blend of early successional growth and mature canopy, forming an ideal breeding habitat for the American Woodcock. In spring, lucky visitors may hear the distinctive “peent” call echoing at dusk. The upland forest supports other noteworthy species, including mountain laurel, puttyroot orchid, cranefly orchid, and rattlesnake plantain, growing under a diverse canopy of native hardwoods.

Big Cola Wetlands is a place where water, forest, and wildlife converge—an ever-changing landscape shaped by natural forces and alive with seasonal wonder.

A remarkable story of recovery. Quality wetlands, like those found at the Big Cola Preserve, are extremely rare in present-day southeastern Ohio. Once bountiful, most have been drained for agricultural endeavors and development. Big Cola’s wetlands have also been impacted by human activities, but with recent restoration efforts, they are experiencing a remarkable resurgence.

The Arc of Appalachia has been working to restore the wetland hydrology at Big Cola since it acquired the property in 2021. Removing the drainage tiles and diversion ditches has enable the site’s native wetland communities to begin reestablishing themselves. Hundreds of trees have also been planted in the floodplain, and Arc staff continue to remove invasive species throughout the preserve.

The Arc was successfully awarded two Clean Ohio grants to help fund the acquisition of this property, as well as trail development, wetland restoration, and non-native invasive plant removal. Additional funding from the Hocking Hills Tourism Association helped fund additional visitor services developments, including the preserve’s ADA-accessible boardwalk and parking area.

Please note: Arc trails and parking areas are not winter-maintained. Snow and ice may obscure trails and create hazardous conditions. Winter hiking is at your own risk. Please use caution and come prepared.