Stebbins Gulch

Get a firsthand look at pre-historic grounds.

Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
        )

    [total] => 0
    [type] => event
    [next] => Array
        (
            [text] => 
        )

    [summaries] => Array
        (
            [ticket_link] => 
            [date_summary_text] => 
            [date_summary] => Array
                (
                    [is_sequential] => 1
                    [start_range] => 
                    [start_range_day] => 
                    [end_range] => 
                    [end_range_day] => 
                    [summary_text] => 
                )

            [is_cost_included] => 
            [is_sold_out] => 
            [is_save_the_date] => 
        )

    [has_additional] => 
)

Stebbins Gulch is the crown jewel of the Holden Arboretum’s extensive natural areas, and is one of the most unspoiled natural history preserves in Northeast Ohio. We host guided tours a few times each year.

It’s a deep ravine environment, complete with its own microclimate and multiple forest zones. Plus, it displays one of the most complete sequences of exposed rocks in northeast Ohio, spanning 30 million years of marine sedimentation and five named geologic units.

All these combined factors inspire awe and a strong sense of isolation, even though this scape is just 25 miles from downtown Cleveland.

Register for an upcoming group tour

Stebbins Gulch is one of Holden’s two National Natural Landmarks, and visitation is limited to protect our guests and the gulch’s wildlife.

To register for an upcoming group tour, see our online class schedule .

Things to Discover

Stebbins Gulch Facts

Area first settled in 1813
Designated as National Natural Landmark in 1967 by National Park Service (U.S. Department of Interior)
Six cascades and waterfalls
The ravine is 70 – 200 feet deep
The gulch is 300 – 500 feet wide
Annual temperature range from 0 – 75• F
Elevations range from 850 – 1150 feet above sea level
Geology: Horizontal Paleozoic marine sedimentary rock and glacial till
- Five named geologic rock units
Geologic time span: Late Devonian to early Mississippian, or 370 – 350 million years before present
Accessible only through guided group tours
- Tours cover 1.8 miles

Here’s more to explore at Holden Arboretum

Upgrade to a membership

Pays for itself
in as little as
2 visits*

* Depending on the age and size of your household

Get unrivaled access to all that the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden have to offer.

Become a member

What can we help you find?

Popular searches:

Return to site