The park lies in a cozy, steep-walled gorge carved by Rauchtown Run through the side of Nippenose Mountain. A northern hardwood forest blankets the bottomland along this spring-fed stream.
This pretty valley is especially beautiful when the mountain laurel blooms during late June and the fall foliage of early October.
Talus (rock) covered slopes and interesting rock formations are interspersed among a stunted oak forest growing on the steep mountainsides and ridges.
Geologic Formations
The most outstanding geologic feature in the park is Castle Rocks. Tall erosional spires of sandstone are silhouetted against the sky, like the towers of an ancient castle.
You can see Castle Rocks from Mid State Trail in the southern end of the park. Primarily frost action has caused the sandstone blocks to break away at weak places in the sandstone, leaving behind isolated pillars.
Detailed information about the geology is available from the:
Trail of Geology 11 - Ravensburg State Park Guide (PDF)