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Places We Protect

Christian & Emma Goetz Buzzardroost Rock

Ohio

Misty hillsides with fall colors.
Buzzardroost Rock Located at the Edge of Appalachia Preserve, Ohio. © Eric Albrecht

The panoramic scene from this hilltop has been called Ohio’s most spectacular view.

Overview

Description

The most popular of all trails in the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System is the one that leads to Buzzardroost Rock, which stands like a giant limestone monument far above the waters of Ohio Brush Creek. The panoramic scene from this hilltop has been called Ohio’s most spectacular view.

The 465-acre protected area is named for the turkey and black vultures (buzzards) frequently seen soaring above or roosting on the rock. This dolomitic outcrop towers 300 feet above the valley and provides habitat for a number of rare prairie plant species, including the plains muhlenbergia grass, which is classified as an endangered species in Ohio.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Hours

Open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Highlights

Hiking, birding, wildlife watching, native plants, incredible biodiversity and amazing views with an overlook of forested hills.

Size

This preserve is part of the 20,000-acre Edge of Appalachia Preserve System, which in total holds five trails and 27 miles of hiking.

Explore our work in Ohio

Photos from Buzzardroost Rock

Visitors can enjoy iconic sweeping views from the Buzzardroost Rock overlook and trail.

A drone shot of an adult on the overlook platform at the peak of Buzzardroot Rock.
A crested coralroot orchid in a forest.
An orange little salamander in a forest.
A scenic landscape shot of lush green hills.
An adult holding two kids reading signage at the peak of Buzzardroot Rock with lush green scenic trees in the backdrop.
A green luna moth with its wings spread out on a leaf.
Wooden steps leading up to Buzzardroost Rock Trail.
A drone shot of the peak of Buzzardroot Rock with people waving from the platform at its peak.
Bare trees scattered in a forest.
A whitetail dragonfly on tree bark.
A drone shot of an adult on the overlook platform at the peak of Buzzardroot Rock.

Buzzardroost Vista: The Buzzardroost Rock Trail takes visitors to an overlook with a breathtaking view. Visit often as each season brings a new perspective! © David Ike

A crested coralroot orchid in a forest.

Crested Coralroot Orchid: The Edge of Appalachia Preserve is home to rare plants like this crested coralroot orchid. © Jessica Lin

An orange little salamander in a forest.

Salamander Friend: Hikers might run into a few wild friends along their round-trip trek to Buzzardroost Rock overlook. © Jessica Lin

A scenic landscape shot of lush green hills.

Buzzardroost Rock Views: Buzzardroost Rock is part of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System which sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. © TJ Vissing

An adult holding two kids reading signage at the peak of Buzzardroot Rock with lush green scenic trees in the backdrop.

View from Buzzardroost: The viewing platform at the end of Buzzardroost Rock Trail offers some of the best views of southern Ohio. © David Ike

A green luna moth with its wings spread out on a leaf.

Luna Moth: Beautiful luna moths often rest on a leaf along the Buzzardroost Rock trail. © Jessica Lin

Wooden steps leading up to Buzzardroost Rock Trail.

Buzzardroost Steps: Hikers can enjoy newly constructed steps at the Buzzardroost Rock Trail. © David Ike

A drone shot of the peak of Buzzardroot Rock with people waving from the platform at its peak.

Buzzardroost Peak: After the hike up to the peak, visitors to Buzzardroost Rock Trail are rewarded with spectacular views of southern Ohio's forests. © David Ike

Bare trees scattered in a forest.

Buzzardroot Trail: A variety of sights and sounds are sure to greet hikers along the 4.4 mile roundtrip hike to Buzzardroost Rock Trail overlook. © Terry Seidel/TNC

A whitetail dragonfly on tree bark.

Whitetail Dragonfly : A male common whitetail dragonfly (Plathemis lydia) rests on a tree along Buzzardroost Rock Trail. © Jessica Lin

Visit

  • The trail at Buzzardroost Rock passes through a number of plant communities and provides the opportunity to witness the area's diverse geologic history. The trail crosses four separate rock strata, including Estill Shale (gentle slopes with moist forests) and Lily, Bisher and Peebles dolomites (cliff and steep sides with oak-maple forests and primary cedar barrens), and Ohio Shale (Appalachian oak forest dominated by chestnut oak).

  • Buzzardroost Rock is a 4.4-mile, moderately difficult, round-trip trail. Preserve naturalists suggest that hikers plan to spend a minimum of two to three hours for the round trip, allowing time to observe the natural features along the way and enjoy the scenic view from the top of the rock.

    In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy birding, wildlife watching, native plants, incredible biodiversity and amazing views with an overlook of forested hills.

  • Our vision is of a world where people and nature thrive together. The Nature Conservancy encourages people of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, gender expressions, and abilities to visit our preserves and has a zero-tolerance policy for racism and discrimination.

    The following activities are NOT permitted at Buzzardroost Rock:

    • Pets of any kind—service animals are permitted
    • Biking and mountain biking
    • Camping
    • Driving an ATV or off-road vehicle
    • Cooking or camp fires
    • Horseback riding
    • Hunting
    • Picking flowers, berries, nuts or mushrooms
    • Removing any part of the natural landscape
    • Rock climbing
    • Snowmobiling

    Please note that there are no facilities of any kind on the trail.

    For information about the use of other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) at our open preserves, please visit our OPDMD guidelines.

Buzzardroost Rock Trail The most popular of all trails in the Edge of Appalachia Preserve system is the one that leads to Buzzardroost Rock. © Randall L. Schieber
Buzzardroost Rock Trail Hikers should plan to spend two to three hours, round trip, allowing time to observe the natural features along the way and enjoy the scenic views. © Eric Albrecht
Buzzardroost Rock Trail In this region, The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center, owns and manages a series of 20,000 acres of nearly contiguous preserves. © Jessica Lin/TNC
Buzzardroost Rock Trail The moderate to difficult trail travels through woodlands and prairie remnants and then out to the ultimate view. Once you see this boardwalk you are almost there. © Jessica Lin/TNC
Buzzardroost Rock Trail The trail passes through a number of plant communities and provides the opportunity to witness the area's diverse geologic history. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Buzzardroost Rock Trail The end of the trail takes visitors to an overlook with an amazing view. Visit often as each season brings a new perspective. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) This trail's namesake. Also known as buzzards, these large birds have a six-foot wingspan. They can be seen gliding on the air currents high in the sky. © Rick Conner
Buzzardroost Rock Trail This preserve sits in beautiful Adams County, Ohio. It's called the Edge of Appalachia because these are the foothills for the Appalachian Mountains. © TJ Vissing
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail The most popular of all trails in the Edge of Appalachia Preserve system is the one that leads to Buzzardroost Rock. © Randall L. Schieber
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail Hikers should plan to spend two to three hours, round trip, allowing time to observe the natural features along the way and enjoy the scenic views. © Eric Albrecht
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail In this region, The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center, owns and manages a series of 20,000 acres of nearly contiguous preserves. © Jessica Lin/TNC
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail The moderate to difficult trail travels through woodlands and prairie remnants and then out to the ultimate view. Once you see this boardwalk you are almost there. © Jessica Lin/TNC
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail The trail passes through a number of plant communities and provides the opportunity to witness the area's diverse geologic history. © Terry Seidel/TNC
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail The end of the trail takes visitors to an overlook with an amazing view. Visit often as each season brings a new perspective. © Terry Seidel/TNC
× Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) This trail's namesake. Also known as buzzards, these large birds have a six-foot wingspan. They can be seen gliding on the air currents high in the sky. © Rick Conner
× Buzzardroost Rock Trail This preserve sits in beautiful Adams County, Ohio. It's called the Edge of Appalachia because these are the foothills for the Appalachian Mountains. © TJ Vissing

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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