history

It was not long after securing the property that the first recreational explorers began touching the rocks of this wildlife preserve in the early 1970’s.  Though much of the early use into the mid 1980’s was primarily rappelling and exploring the shallow caves, the mid to late 80’s saw the nearby boy scout camp begin to explore the many outcrops for easy climbing activities.  Active technical climbing began to be documented in 1990, with at least three groups of local climbers beginning to explore the Main Rocks and surrounding boulders.  In the fall of 1991, a majority of the prominent lines were solidified on lead; bold/sketchy ascents protected with passive nuts, hex chocks, and Lowe tri-cams.  Although these climbs were traditionally led, the quality of rock does not encourage such further activity and fixed protection is being worked into a master plan for the area.  Today, the Ohio Climbers Coalition actively works to protect the natural resource, encourage use of the area for climbing activities, and work in concert with other user groups to bring awareness to Ohio’s outdoor recreation areas.

ROUTES

There currently is no guidebook for this area, but you can view routes on Mountain Project.

crag stewards

The OCC Crag Steward for the area effective September 25, 2020 is:

Rody Walter: IceKlimer@hotmail.com

Rody joined the OCC as the Crag Steward for the Beach City Wildlife Area in 2020, however, his activity in this area began over thirty years earlier.  While navigating the rocks and trees of the area in 1989, in an effort to establish the areas first mountain bike trails, the recognition of the climbing potential was undeniable.  Soon, return trips left the bike behind, filling the trunk with ropes and gear instead.  This area served as a respite to Ohio’s recreational scarcity and fostered a love of climbing that has allowed Rody to travel to multiple countries, sampling a variety of rock and ice routes.  It is his pleasure to continue his involvement through OCC stewardship, sharing the potential this area has with others.

Please feel free to contact him with any questions, comments or concerns about the area.

The OCC has became friends with The Dirt Line, a grassroots trail and outdoor recreation advocacy campaign made up of 100% volunteers. Additional information about this organization can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedirtline

Restricted Hours

Beach City is open to hunting. Please make sure you are visible (wear bright clothing such as hunter orange) and respect any hunters you see in the area. It is recommended to stay out of the area during gun season.  The following link lists hunting information for the area: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/hunting-trapping-and-shooting-sports/hunting-trapping-regulations/season-dates-and-bag-limits

Please be out of the area during these times: 

• September 1 - May 1, 8pm - 6am.

• May 2 - August 31, 10pm - 6am.

GETTING THERE

- From I-77, take the Strasburg exit.

- Drive west on 250 through town.

- After passing the nations 2nd oldest drive-in theater, follow SR 250 to the left, towards Wooster. Turn left on Chestnut Ridge Road (CR 97)…if you crossed RR tracks on SR 250, you went too far.

- Drive 2.1 miles up the hill and look for Camp Road on the left

- Turn left on Camp Road, passing Camp Buckeye on the left…proceed slowly as it is very hilly/twisty and difficult to see oncoming traffic

- The Lower Dundee falls (Main Rocks) parking lot is 1.2 miles on the left, in the valley between hills. It is a small gravel lot with no signage that can accommodate 10 cars.

- To reach the Upper Dundee Falls (Railroad Vista Boulders) parking lot, continue on Camp Road to the stop sign and turn left on Dundee Wilmot Rd (CR 96).

- Drive 1500 feet and the large gravel parking lot will be on the left.  This lot has an official State sign, is considerably more spacious, and may be used as an alternative lot for access to the other areas.

This is a link to a map of the area: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/wildlife/Maps/Wildlife%20Area%20Maps/PDFs/beachcity.pdf

camping options

The wildlife area is closed to all activities during the night hours; the State’s subtle way of telling you there is no camping allowed.

Camp Buckeye has been known to accommodate a tent request from time to time, stop in and ask…it can’t hurt.

If you are traveling in a van or RV and desire electrical/sewer hook ups, Baylor Beach (just north of Beach City) or Evergreen RV park (west in Mt. Eaton) are just minutes away and have all the amenities you would expect their overpriced admission to include for a nights stay.

food

Gonna keep this short and sweet, cause I know you’re hangry…

- Best Breakfast / Lunch – Rosalies in Strasburg is a shining example of a community pulling together.  Faced with closing, a 19 year old waitress rallied the community around her and purchased the restaurant, keeping it THE local meet up.  The food is home cooked and the people friendly.  Open for breakfast and lunch, closing up at 2, a nice way to start the day before climbing.  Rosalies, 989 N. Wooster Avenue, Strasburg OH 44680.

- Best BBQ and brew – Sublime Smoke in Bolivar, just 16 minutes up the road.  110 Water Street SE, Bolivar, Ohio 44612

- Mexican – Campesino’s Grill in Strasburg, cheap with good sized portions, just 12 minutes away.  1170 N Wooster Avenue, Strasburg, Ohio 44680

- Diner grub – fuel up with breakfast before hitting the crag at Canal Street Diner.  Killer French toast, sunny side up eggs, and crispy bacon please.  17 minutes away.  157 Canal Street, Bolivar, Ohio 44612

- Overpriced Amish tourism food – The Amish Door in Wilmot…meat, potato, and veg in a horse and buggy themed compound.  All you can eat buffet.  10 minutes away.  1210 Winesburg Street, Wilmot, Ohio 44689

other area attractions

Beach City Dam – Just down the road a skoosh is the property that makes up the majority of the almost 2000 acres of the publicly accessed area around Beach City.  With parking, grassy areas large enough to throw a little frisbee, picnic tables, and fishing allowed, you can bring a rod and reel and chill while watching the sun set after a day of hard pulling.

Beach City Dam Disc Golf – new for 2024, the local community has broadened it’s partnership with the State of Ohio to put in place a 18 hole Disc Golf course, located around the Dam property, just off of SR250 before turning off to the climbing access.  Equipped with Prodigy T2 baskets and concrete tee pads, this free to play course has a nice mix of long and short shaping shots through a variety of terrain.  Dog friendly to boot!  See Udisc for an interactive map to help you navigate the layout.

Machan’s rock / Hobo cave - Hobo’s Cave, so named for the days when wanderers who were ’riding the rails’ on the nearby passing trains used it for a warm and dry place to sleep, is a favorite of local visitors. History buffs advise that this was also a known spot on the underground railroad, safe guarding escaping slaves during their travels.  Not for the claustrophobic, the cave begins with a descent into a hole hidden in the top of the hill and continues with a series of twists and turns before emerging out the bottom. The cave is a fun adventure, though the trash / graffiti, and empty beer cans devalue the experience a bit.  The journey takes approximately 15 - 20 minutes, and old clothes and a bright flashlight are highly recommended.  Do not park adjacent to the RR tracks, as they are active and stones are known to be kicked up when the train passes.

Lynn Drive-in theater – The second oldest continually running Drive-in movie theater in the country, this is a special place to take in a movie after a day of climbing.  The Lynn offers two screens with an all grass parking area, making it ideal for spreading out a blanket and laying back to take in the film.  I suggest picking up a double crust pizza from Kraus’s pizza in Strasburg and a few beverages of choice before heading in for the show.  Want to round out your night of nostalgic excitement…the concession stand has a small collection of vintage arcades to pump some quarters into.

The Wilderness Center – An education center with a focus on wilderness preservation, the Wilderness Center outside of Wilmot (15 minutes away) has free hiking trails with interpretive signage, a large pond, and an indoor education center with animal and plant species native to the area.  Their online schedule offers a number of special events, check it out if you want to coordinate a day of climbing with one of their education opportunities.

Ohio Gravel Grinders – bring the high volume tires and jump on one of a couple nice bicycle gravel routes through this picturesque area.  Starting out of the Wilderness Center, the Amish Backroads 47 route takes quiet rural roads through Amish Country with gps turn by turn directions.  No better way to let those pumped out forearms rest than to share some pain with your legs.  www.ohiogravelgrinders.com

Baylor Beach Park – a family owned swim park operating since 1954, this is a great place to cool off on a hot summer afternoon.  The park has a 2 acre swim lake equipped with slides and inflatables, mini golf, volley ball, etc…  RV campsites are available, but no tent camping last I checked.  Located between Beach City and Brewster, it’s a short 15 minute ride from the climbing area.