The Mad River Gorge and Nature Preserve has been recognized by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association for our development efforts and has honored the Clark County Park District with the first-place award in the Natural Resources and Conservation category.

The cliffs, about 45-50 feet at their highest point, have been on private land for decades but the Park District recently purchased the first of several land acquisitions with the help of an $800,000 grant from the state’s Clean Ohio Conservation Fund. Clean up and development of this new nature preserve is a collaboration with the Ohio Climbers Coalition and The Access Fund. The attraction is available to climb at your own risk, at no cost. In addition to climbing, there are hiking trails, limited water access to the Mad River, and serene nature trails.