Gambier: College History, Art and Trails

Gambier brings together its founding history, Kenyon College, contemporary art and trails through the landscape along the Kokosing River. This gives you several ways to shape your trip: you can focus on college history and culture, or make the trails your starting point for outdoor activity.

College History and Notable Buildings

Gambier was founded by Philander Chase, who also founded Kenyon College. Old Kenyon dates from the college’s founding era and provides a tangible link to the town’s history. The tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit rises above the campus on Gambier Hill. The combination of college history and notable buildings makes Gambier appealing to travelers interested not only in outdoor experiences but also in the development of a college town.

Another cultural destination is the Gund Gallery, Kenyon College’s museum of contemporary art. Rosse Hall complements this focus as a concert and lecture hall with 600 seats. The two venues represent different forms of cultural life: one is a museum of contemporary art, the other a hall for concerts and lectures. Travelers looking to combine their trip with art and culture will find more than just the college’s historical perspective.

Trails Along the Kokosing River and in Town

The Middle Path is the main pedestrian route through the village of Gambier. Another way to experience the area actively is the Kokosing Gap Trail, a 14-mile paved trail. It follows the Kokosing River through forests and farmland. The trail has an important access point in Gambier. The paved path is suitable for jogging, cycling and walking.

Railroad history is also present along the trail. The Kokosing Gap Trail board brought the 0-6-0 steam locomotive to Gambier in April 2001. Chesapeake & Ohio caboose No. 90776 is permanently located at the Kokosing Gap Trail stop in Gambier. The locomotive and the caboose are two different railroad vehicles, each with its own connection to the town and the trail.

Nature Trails at the Brown Family Environmental Center

The Brown Family Environmental Center maintains several nature trails in and adjacent to Gambier. The preserve has more than 10 miles of trails in total for independent exploration. The Center is a 700-acre preserve in the Kokosing River Valley in central Ohio. It therefore complements the paved Kokosing Gap Trail with nature trails within and on the edge of Gambier. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can choose between the longer trail and the preserve’s trails, and factor this distinction into your trip planning.

Which Focus Is Right for Your Trip?

When choosing a location for your vacation rental, consider which aspects of Gambier you want to shape your trip. College history, the Gund Gallery and cultural venues offer a different focus from cycling, jogging or walking on the Kokosing Gap Trail and independently exploring the nature trails. If these are the reasons you choose Gambier, the town is a good starting point for your vacation rental search. Information about trail lengths and landscapes can also help you distinguish between the outdoor options: the Kokosing Gap Trail is a paved, 14-mile trail, while the Brown Family Environmental Center has more than 10 miles of nature trails in total.

More destinations: Howard, Mount Vernon.

For the broader travel overview: Knox County.