Richland B&O Trail
Hiking area
4.3 (3)
1026 Gatton Rock Rd, Bellville, OH 44813
RiverOH
Gatton Rock
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Gatton Rock's public swimming access remains unverified. Understand the Clear Fork fishing-map limits and why old parking advice and photos are not permission.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Do not enter using old route descriptions or roadside-parking advice. Confirm current landowner permission and any activity-specific restrictions first.
Water type
River
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Unverified; no current free-access or paid swimming admission established
Best season
No swimming season recommended while authorized access remains unresolved
Nearby towns
Mansfield, Bellville
Water body
Clear Fork River
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Mansfield, Bellville
Access location not verified
Bellville, OH
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Gatton Rock: keep the access correction in place
Gatton Rock is an archived Clear Fork River swimming report near Bellville, Ohio. Current public swimming access has not been confirmed. Earlier free-access and roadside-parking advice remains withdrawn; historical use is not permission to visit today.
What the official fishing map can establish
The ODNR Clear Fork fishing publication provides regional river context and labels Wade and Gatton Nursery between Cutnaw and Stoffer roads. Its private-property and permission notes concern angling. This legacy map is not a current swimming authorization, owner statement or verified visitor entrance.
Why we are not claiming an official closure
The earlier review found a third-party report of private-property restrictions. No current first-party landowner closure statement was established in this review, so the listing remains access-unverified rather than officially closed. Equally, the absence of a verified closure does not establish public access.
Resolve permission before planning a visit
Ask about the approach and the activity
Obtain current authorization for the exact land crossing, parking location and intended activity from the relevant owner or responsible authority. Permission to fish, where granted, should not be assumed to include swimming, camping or use of every bank. A Google feature address or old road crossing is not an entrance.
Do not transfer nearby park facilities
The regional publication also discusses Mohican State Park. Its campsites, stream-access areas and facilities are separate from this listing. No Gatton Rock visitor parking, toilets, drinking water, accessible water entry or supervised swimming was confirmed.
Photographs cannot resolve access
The only saved candidate was an unavailable Street View thumbnail, not an approved pool photograph. No gallery has been published. Older swimmer photos, river descriptions and clear-looking water would not establish present permission or water safety anyway. Compare other destinations through the Ohio designated-beach research in our Columbus guide, checking each operator's current rules separately.
Getting There
Previous approach and roadside-parking directions remain withdrawn. The saved Google address and archived nursery landmark do not establish an authorized entrance. Obtain a current legal approach from the relevant landowner or authority before planning a visit.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
ODNR's legacy fishing map labels Wade and Gatton Nursery between Cutnaw and Stoffer roads. It discusses angling access and private property, not public swimming access. Fishing permission, a road crossing and a mapped river feature are not interchangeable with a swim entrance.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Do not enter using old route descriptions or roadside-parking advice. Confirm current landowner permission and any activity-specific restrictions first. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
River Trail Crossing
Campground
4.7 (136)
1597 OH-97, Butler, OH 44822
Public restroom
Tourist attraction
29 Bell St, Bellville, OH 44813
Public restrooms
Park
4777 Bellville North Rd, Bellville, OH 44813
Hidden Hollow
Children's camp
4.8 (38)
5127 Possum Run Rd, Bellville, OH 44813
B&O Trail - SR97 parking lot
Free parking lot
4.7 (73)
Bellville, OH 44813
Malabar Farm State Park Campground
Campground
4.3 (20)
3016 Hastings East Rd, Lucas, OH 44843
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Frequently Asked Questions About Gatton Rock
Is Gatton Rock open for public swimming?
Current public swimming access has not been established. Do not enter based on historical use, old directions or a mapped river feature.
Does the ODNR fishing map permit swimming?
No swimming permission is established by that publication. Its angling context and private-property notes cannot be transferred to other activities.
Where should I park?
No authorized visitor parking has been verified. Earlier roadside-parking advice remains withdrawn pending current owner or authority confirmation.
Is the location officially closed?
A third-party restriction report prompted the earlier correction, but no current first-party closure statement was established. Access-unverified does not mean open.
Are camping or restrooms available?
No Gatton Rock overnight permission or visitor facilities were confirmed. Do not reuse Mohican State Park facilities from the regional fishing map as this location's amenities.
Why is there no map pin or gallery?
The named Google point is not a verified legal entrance. The sole saved Street View image was unavailable during private preparation, and no pool photo was approved. Neither a point nor a photograph establishes permission.
Highlights
Old parking advice remains withdrawn
Fishing-map evidence distinguished from swimming permission
No unverified entrance pin
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not enter without confirmed permission
- Past swimming reports and fishing descriptions do not establish safe depth, water quality, supervision or a jumping area
- Clear water is not a safety clearance
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
An archived swimming report associated with the Clear Fork River near Bellville; historical use does not establish present public access.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
No gallery published. The sole saved Street View candidate was unavailable during private preparation and cannot establish the pool, current signs or permission.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries and signs. Do not enter private land for photographs or create a new bank path. Remove litter on any authorized visit.
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Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
No swimming season recommended while authorized access remains unresolved.
Difficulty Level
No current approach length, road suitability or accessible water-entry route established
Fee
Unverified; no current free-access or paid swimming admission established
Facilities
Do not transfer Mohican State Park camping, stream access or facilities from the regional fishing map to Gatton Rock.
Activities
Historical swimming report; current lawful water entry not established
Phone
No current site-specific visitor contact verified
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight permission or visitor campsite established at Gatton Rock
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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