Updated: July 22, 2026
When you hear Rock Mill in Columbus, chances are your mind goes to the brewery near Lancaster, or maybe the old tavern in the Brewery District.
The tavern closed back in 2022, and the brewery is pouring again under new owners. But today, we’re talking about the mill that gave both of them their name. The very first Rock Mill, built in 1799 by Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith.
Over the course of hundreds of years, the mill was destroyed and rebuilt several times, changing owners and remaining in operation until 1905. But for nearly 100 years, the mill sat vacant and in disrepair. In 2003, a restoration process began on the mill, with new siding, windows, shutters, beams, and posts replicated to replace the missing and damaged pieces.
Robert and Rita Stebelton donated the mill to the Fairfield County Park District in 2003, which is why the park it sits in carries their name. The restoration took more than a decade and roughly $1.2 million, including a working replica of the mill’s 26-foot wooden waterwheel. When the mill finally ground grain again in 2017, its first time in over a century, visitors from around the state and country came to see it in action.
The mill is now the centerpiece of Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, a small Fairfield County park where the mill sits right between the waterfall and the 1901 covered bridge, all perched around a surprisingly deep sandstone gorge.
The Hocking River flows out of the gorge in the form of a stunning, 14-foot waterfall. It’s gorgeous in any season, including winter.
The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk, and it’s free. Just know that the mill building itself only opens during Rock Mill Days, May through October: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. If you want to see the millstones actually turning, go on the last Sunday of the month, when volunteers run live milling demonstrations.
The covered bridge hangs right over the gorge
The Rock Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1901, replacing an 1849 bridge, and it’s been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. It’s closed to cars, which is the best thing that ever happened to it. You can walk across and get a straight-down view of the gorge and the mill without worrying about traffic. If you’re the type to plan a whole day around covered bridges, this one belongs on the list.
Getting down into the gorge
You can see the falls from the bridge and the rim without any real effort. Getting to the bottom is a different story. The path down is steep and rocky, and it sometimes closes after wet weather, so don’t count on it for a stroller-friendly visit. The park district also runs guided “Into the Gorge” hikes a few times a year if you want to reach the base of the falls with someone who knows the footing. Check the Fairfield County Parks calendar for dates.
Know before you go
Rock Mill is a little over half an hour from downtown Columbus, and the whole park is only about four acres, so it pairs well with a stop in Lancaster proper. Parking is limited: a handful of paved spots near the mill and a larger lot just before it.
| Rock Mill at a Glance | |
| Location | Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, 1429 Rockmill Pl NW, Lancaster, OH 43130 |
| Park hours | Year-round, dawn to dusk |
| Mill building | May through October: Wed & Sat 11am to 2pm, Sun 1pm to 4pm |
| Milling demos | Last Sunday of the month, May through October |
| Admission | Free |
| The waterfall | 14 feet, on the upper Hocking River |
Rock Mill FAQ
Is Rock Mill free to visit?
Yes. The park is free and open dawn to dusk, every day of the year.
Can you go inside the mill?
Only during Rock Mill Days, May through October: Wednesdays and Saturdays 11am to 2pm, Sundays 1pm to 4pm. The last Sunday of each month, the mill actually grinds grain.
Can you get to the bottom of the waterfall?
There’s a steep, informal path into the gorge, but it’s not always open or safe after rain. The park district’s guided “Into the Gorge” hikes are the reliable way down.
Is the covered bridge open?
Yes, to people. It’s been closed to vehicles for years, so you can stand on it and take in the view.
Is this the same Rock Mill as the brewery?
Same name, different place. Rockmill Brewery is a few miles away on Lithopolis Road, and it’s open under new owners. The mill at Stebelton Park is the 1799 original that started the name.
For more information, you can visit the Fairfield County Parks website right here. Rock Mill is located at Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, 1429 Rockmill Pl NW, Lancaster, OH 43130.
Featured image via Fairfield County Parks.
