State Route 374 between Sugar Grove and Rockbridge is one of the most photographed fall drives in Ohio — a narrow two-lane road that runs through a continuous canopy of sugar maples, creating a tunnel of crimson and gold that peaks in mid-October. It's about 12 miles, takes 20 minutes without stops, and deserves at least an hour with them.
Sugar Grove: Where the Drive Starts
Sugar Grove sits at the northern edge of the Hocking Hills region and earned its name honestly. The village and surrounding area are thick with sugar maples — Acer saccharum — the tree that produces the most vivid and varied fall color in eastern North America. A single sugar maple can display yellow, orange, and deep red simultaneously as the canopy changes from top to bottom. The town itself is small — a post office, a church or two, some homes along the road — but the maples lining the approach are the opening act.
The sugar maple thrives in the acidic soils and cooler microclimates of Ohio's Appalachian Plateau. It's the dominant color species throughout the Hocking Hills, and SR 374 runs through some of the densest stands in the region.
The Drive South
Heading south from Sugar Grove toward Rockbridge, SR 374 drops into rolling terrain with the road cutting through corridors of old-growth and second-growth hardwoods. The sugar maples arch over the road in places, and when they're at peak — typically the second and third weeks of October — the effect is like driving through a cathedral with a stained-glass ceiling.
The road passes through a mix of open farmland and dense forest. The transitions are part of the appeal: you round a curve and the forest closes in, the canopy meets overhead, and the light turns amber. Then a clearing opens up and you see ridgelines layered with color receding into the distance.
Where to Pull Off
SR 374 doesn't have formal scenic overlooks, but there are wide shoulders and gravel pulloffs at several points. Look for spots where the road curves and the canopy creates a natural frame — these are the shots that show up in Ohio travel magazines. Early morning (before 9 AM) and late afternoon (after 4 PM) give the best light. Midday sun is flat through the canopy; angled light makes the colors glow.
Big Pine Road and Wildcat Hollow Road branch off SR 374 and offer narrower, less-traveled back roads with equally stunning views and even less traffic.
Rockbridge: Where the Drive Ends
The drive ends in Rockbridge, home to the Rockbridge State Nature Preserve and Natural Bridge — a 100-foot sandstone arch that's one of Ohio's most unique geological features. A short trail (about a quarter mile) leads to the arch. In October, the surrounding canopy frames it in fall color. From Rockbridge, you're within easy reach of Conkle's Hollow, Hocking Hills State Park, and the Clear Creek Metro Park trail system.
Combining with a Hike
The drive pairs naturally with a fall hike. Start in Sugar Grove, drive SR 374 south, stop in Rockbridge for the Natural Bridge trail, then continue to Conkle's Hollow for the rim trail — you'll hit the full spectrum of fall color from road level and above-canopy in a single morning.
