Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hartman Rock Garden

    4.6 (24 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Hartman Rock Garden Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Hartman Rock Garden

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Hartman Rock Garden, Springfield OH
    Bruce K.

    Thanks to the Atlas Obscura map, I found this amazingly interesting roadside attraction. Maybe a ten minute detour from I-70 between Dayton and Columbus, it's someone's backyard in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Street parking is available. A one-man creation, H.G. "Ben" Hartman was unemployed during the Great Depression and so he used his time to building this amazing wonderland. It is amazingly anachronistic here in Springfield Ohio. Nearly 20,000 stones, it includes Philadelphia's Independence Hall, the White House and a large castle with a drawbridge. The effort here was clearly intense and it is a remarkable sight to see. Entry to the Garden is free though they'll cheerfully take your donations. [Review 11269 overall, 1046 of 2019.]

    Pam K.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It is located in a neighborhood with other homes. Amazing how much this man built out of small rocks etc. They have a brochure explaining about many of the structures. It is well maintained and very interesting to see.

    You'll See This As You Go In.
    Mike G.

    Hartman Rock Garden is quirky, artsy and cool and it is especially interesting as it's located in the not so quirky, not very artsy and not so cool city of Springfield OH. (I've even heard the city referenced as "Armpit O-H-I-O" by a local Springfield Yelper whom I'll refer to as "Val Double U". - to protect her identity.) So how did this not quite a "Wonder of the Modern World" come about? Back in the deepest darkest days of The Great Depression, Harry George "Ben" Hartman had a vision, lots of time, cement and rocks. So he built a magical little garden with a castle, houses, gnomes, religious icons, a pathway, stream and a pond all of which he built in the backyard of his home. Mr. Hartman worked on his project for 12 years until his death in 1944 and it still stands today much as it was then. It's a little worn around the edges but it's an outdoor piece of art so that shouldn't surprise anyone. It's great for kids, grandkids, fans of the odd and those of us that love history. If you come here be sure to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the work and dreams of someone who took the time to create something with his own hands for everyone to see. It's his legacy, it's a gift to us and it's a fun little stop if you are ever driving down I-70. It's also free, but they do appreciate donations. It's got to be at least 4 stars and it is seriously worth taking 20 minutes or so out of your day to see.

    Rhonda W.

    a neat weird hidden gem ... it was the lifes work .. a man made his back yard into art ,, one stone at a time. Adding on but when he passed away and the house was abandoned .. the yard was damaged and vandalized. Someone saw the importance of saving this and repairing the damage. Free but they welcome donations.

    Tiffany C.

    This tiny folk art treasure is hidden amongst the old time backstreets of Springfield. Blink and you could possibly miss this backyard, stony oasis. Ok, so before you go all crazy thinking this is some sort of massive stone castle a man has created in his backyard.. I must bring you back down to reality. It's cool... it does involve a stone castle, but let's think on a smaller scale. This place would be an absolute delight for children. Let the Barbie dolls and GI Joe's go crazy! Hartman is inspiring... being created from a time where people kept their minds and hands at work despite there not being any work to begin with, which is the creator's story. After being let go from his work in a concrete factory during the Great Depression he decided to keep himself busy by working on a concrete pond, then building castles, to whole villages and holy grottos. Looking at this artist's work will definitely bring you back to his era from the old metal World War I soldiers, and small metal crosses in a piece he has labeled "Flander's Field" after the prominent WWI battlefield. While it can just come off as a bunch of cemented rocks... if you look a little bit deeper into some of the pieces you might be able to discover more of the humor and more of the love within Hartman's creations. It really is folk art at it's finest and it's nice to have this in Ohio. Kitschy can sometimes be cool and if you're into photography, then this place is sure to tantalize and inspire great perspectives and interesting shots. The small group that keeps this up and running has been trying and making efforts to maintain this place by painting the small statues, and fixing any missing stones. They are doing a great job and I commend them! An interesting waste of time if you are in the Springfield area.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Definitely a unique place, if you're in Springfield looking for something to do, it's worth a quick stop..

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 1
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike G.
    327
    639
    3522

    10 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Justin M.
    1235
    126
    16

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim B.
    0
    26
    16

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    I love this place! Super creative and fun! Def worth checking it out :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Hartman Rock Garden

    Review Highlights - Hartman Rock Garden

    Hartman Rock Garden is a folk art exhibit that was created by a man who was out of work during the great depression.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 472 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Snyder Park

    Snyder Park

    4.2(5 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    *This Rating is for the Bark Park dog park inside Snyder Park*…read moreCame here for a Siberian Husky group meet up and was very impressed. I have been to many dog parks in the greater Cincy/Dayton area and this is by far the nicest. The fence is higher than most, which is a bonus to prevent escapees. It was a very clean park with responsible owners. There are stations for poop bags along with trash cans. Placed throughout are giant logs for dogs to play on or owners to sit. There are many benches and nice trees providing shade. There is a water fountain and even a hydrant that mists the dogs with water. If you are looking for a great place to allow your dog to safely play off leash, this is your spot!

    Well, first off, I'd have to say don't believe everything you read/hear. Yes, I suppose this park…read more(along with a good bit of the "Field of Springs" itself...) doesn't have the best reputation, but other than its murky, garbage and algae choked waters, its reputation for DANGER after hours, and its general state of "past its prime," it's really a wonderful gem. I drive through here often on my way home from work, and it REALLY is the definition of a "gem in the ROUGH!!" There's TONS of history here, hidden away in the broken down boathouses just BEGGING to be restored to their former glory. There's a few large picnic pavilions, a dog park, a community garden, a busy playground and spray-ground for the kiddies, and so much more. A few years back, they created some "rapids" for kayakers, but it has very sadly been abandoned/not kept up. The park is the setting for a number of 5K races every year (Mr. M&P even "ran" a few...) and it's also the home of the wonderful Springfield Art Museum. Annual events like the Summer Arts Fest and the Food Truck Competition are VERY popular, but this place STILL (IMO...) gets no respect. Take a detour during the sunset hours, bring your pooch to the dog park, your kids to the playground, or just take a walk to clear your head. Give this "old girl" the respect she deserves...!! ENJOY!!

    Photos
    Snyder Park
    Snyder Park
    Snyder Park

    See all

    Glen Helen Nature Preserve - Miss on tree and greenery

    Glen Helen Nature Preserve

    4.5(79 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Hadn't been here in years. They now charge for parking. I found free parking across the street…read more The building at the entrance was open and has one bathroom and water fountain but can't count on it being open. I went down the stone stairs ... they were slippery but was glad i still could manage them. They have changed things ... added wooden pathways and more water at the bottom of the stairs. I'd hoped walk to both waterfalls. But wearing new shoes and saw it was muddy. So just headed back up the stairs to the car. They have bird feeders at the buildings. Nice place to hike. Parking is 10 bucks.

    Let's start off with the only thing that took me as interesting. They charge $10 for parking. It's…read morea non profit so I guess this is to help in taking care of the the facilities and help pay the staff. I'd never been here but the lovely Mrs went to camp here with her 8th grade class back in the 80's. I'd never been so was kind of curious about it as I was under the impression that it's just a park where kids could learn about nature and all its magic. What I found out is that it is an incredible wandering path. Lots of things to see like waterfalls, rock formations and even a path where you get from one side to the other by stepping from stone to stone. Lots of folks, lots of pets, big and small. The education center had a park employee out there with a bigger falcon, then a smaller falcon and then the gorgeous barn owl. The folks inside the education center were incredibly helpful and knew a ton about the inhabitants of the 'enclosures'. My favorite was the teeny tiny Megatron who's the smallest and cutest owl I've ever seen. Park isn't marked very well. They suggest you download the digital map from the QR code as you walk toward the very nice restroom facility. This is very nice but... the signs(pieces of paper with numbers written on them) with the corresponding numbers from the map are either missing, blurred due to water or faded from the sun. I'm hoping one of the Boy Scouts we saw while here takes it upon themselves to start their petition to create more permanent signs for their 'Eagle' comprehensive service project. There were so many times we were like...where are we. Plenty of trash to pick up so if you're like me, bring a small grocery bag and leave it better than you came. Thank you to the nice couple with the long haired dachshund who climbed the rocky pylon to help me get the cup that had been left there. It makes me happy that there are people still out there willing to help me with such simple but worthwhile side projects.

    Photos
    Glen Helen Nature Preserve
    Glen Helen Nature Preserve - Steps

    Steps

    Glen Helen Nature Preserve - Yellow springs

    See all

    Yellow springs

    Clifton Gorge - The John L Rich Trail

    Clifton Gorge

    4.6(39 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is my first state park I have visited in Ohio, and it did not…read moredisappoint. I'm not a hiker, but I found the trail to be a somewhat easy hike for a senior and the walkways and guardrails were well-maintained. There are lots of benches to sit on to take in nature, darling native plants, and plenty of interesting facts to read about along the trail. We saw photos and explanations of how the Little Miami River was used to power grist and cotton mills, paper factories, and breweries. In the information building, we were greeted by the very friendly ranger, who gave us a botanical identification brochure (it would have been very useful during the hike) and introduced us to the turtles in their enclosure. The preserve was quiet, and we enjoyed ourselves so much. This is just the start of our adventure of the Clifton Gorge, and there are so many more activities to explore. We hope to be back during another season when the water in the gorge is flowing more rapidly.

    A truly beautiful Ohio state park. It is 260+ acres and backs up to another park- the John Bryan…read morePark. You can take trails between both parks - so you can hike for miles! The little Miami river runs through it. We hiked a loop. Starting by at the North Rim trail by the nature center and taking it to its end, which actually is in the John Bryan state park. We then looped over to the John Rich trail and hiked back. The total hike approximately 4.3 miles. But of course, there are multiple trails and options for length of hike. What made this hike absolutely beautiful was the deep gorge and valley into the river. The northern rim is on top of the gorge and the John Rich trail follows at the base of the gorge alongthe river. There are stunning views from the top of the gorge looking down, as well as numerous places with bolts for rock climbing. It is heavily wooded and provides for nice shade in the warm weather months. Along the lower trail you can experience river up close. The views are stunning. We saw a large Great Blue Heron on the bank looking eagerly for its next meal. The heavily wooded area provides for a wealth of plant life including beautiful ferns and in the sunny spots, wildflowers. There are picnic areas located along the trails as well as benches and overlooks. There are no entrance fees.

    Photos
    Clifton Gorge
    Clifton Gorge - Native flowers

    Native flowers

    Clifton Gorge - Pittsburg-Cincinnati Stage Coach and John L Rich Loop | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    See all

    Pittsburg-Cincinnati Stage Coach and John L Rich Loop | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Veterans Park - Part of regular play area.

    Veterans Park

    4.0(2 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    This is yet another review that got stuck in my draft folder. I'm not sure if It is an error on my…read morepart that's causing this or if it's on Yelps end. Either way, I feel it is my responsibility as an Elite to provide my readers with accurate insightful entertaining reviews. As a kid I grew up playing in Snyder Park and Cliff Park, Cliff Park was renamed Veterans Park. For years they've been doing the Summer Arts Festival. Veterans Park is now a great place for me to visit when I return to Springfield Ohio. It's fun to schedule family time during the Summer Arts Festival, which attracts many nationally known tribute bands, as well as some local tallent in addition to the summer arts festival, you can walk jog relax read have a picnic or bring your kids to the playground. The Springfield Museum of Art is located in the park and is really cool. If you're a resident. I'm sure you know all about this beautiful park. if you're visiting Springfield Ohio be sure to check it out. Remember to check the Summer Arts Festival schedule while planning a trip to the area.

    Baby K was not quite worn out, so we needed a playground. And this park has an amazing one. Also…read morethere was a Summer Festival just getting going nearby, and lots more farther back in this park. But we were there for the playground. There's a Cinderella area right by the parking lot, and then loads of play equipment farther back. Highly recommended. On a cooler day we would have explored more.

    Photos
    Veterans Park - View from my seat

    View from my seat

    Veterans Park
    Veterans Park - Baby playset

    See all

    Baby playset

    Cedar Bog Nature Preserve - Best trip to Cedar Bog! - Barred Owl and Owlet

    Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

    4.4(5 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    Lifelong history buffs, we joined OHS a few years ago, and this year decided to visit all of the…read moresites in their system. We were going to Urbana for a festival and saw this was nearby, so we stopped in. And fell in love. It's small and out of the way, and beautiful. The visitors' center is pretty new, and small too, but nice. A little gift shop, meeting rooms, some educational exhibits. The staff were super friendly and helpful. The trail (boardwalk) is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which was nice for us with a baby. It's a short loop, and you are right in the middle of the fen, with flowers, water, sun and shade, and little lizards. A beautiful, relaxing, educational walk. Plan for an hour or so. Well worth a detour. We'll be back.

    Want to take a walk on the "wild side?!?" Looking to feel "lost" though you haven't even stepped…read morefoot off the trail? This local gem will appeal to nature fans, procrastinators, and just about anyone who's feeling a need to commune with nature and take a great walk. Nothing waaaaaaaaaaay out in the wild blue yonder, but this well marked, informative trail with take you through quite a few very interesting habitats and make you wonder if you're about to fall off the edge of...... Urbana?!? The well-placed signs tell what you're seeing, and provide interesting facts for kids and adults. Take advantage of the well-placed benches to relax and just LISTEN to all the NATURE happening all around you... I've got a ton of pics. I'll try to get around to posting eventually... There's a fee to go in (sorry, can't remember what it was) and they even have a box after hours for you to pay "honor system." It's a bit higher fee than we thought it would be, but they do amazing work keeping this place up and making it a unique, interesting spot to visit. Oh, and by the way, it's not really a BOG at all, it's a FEN!!! (You'll have to go there yourself and see why, smarty-pants!!) ENJOY...!!

    Photos
    Cedar Bog Nature Preserve
    Cedar Bog Nature Preserve
    Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

    See all

    Hartman Rock Garden - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...