Edge of Appalachia Preserve System

Visit

• When is the best time to visit and what will I see?

  Visitors will find steep hills and deep hollows covered in deciduous hardwood forest, dry limestone prairies, rugged dolomite cliffs and rocky streams beds lined with spring wildflowers. Cerulean warblers and other neotropical birds abound during warmer months, while endangered species like the Indiana bat, green salamander and Allegheny woodrat find sanctuary throughout the year in the remote, secluded areas of the preserve. More than 100 rare plant and animal species make their home within the preserve system. 
   
  In the spring months, you’re likely to find early wildflowers such as wild blue phlox, columbine, trilliums, Indian paintbrush and shooting star. You might also spot migratory birds such as bay breasted warbler, chestnut sided warbler and magnolia warbler passing through on their way to summer breeding grounds further north. Other migratory birds arriving to breed stay for a longer period of time, including prairie warblers, blue grosbeaks and summer tanagers.  
   
  During the summer growing season, impressive wildflowers such as blazing stars, milkweeds and Prairie dock are on display, and wildlife such as black racer, eastern box turtle and eastern fence lizard frequent the preserve. Commonly heard breeding birds in the summer include eastern towhee, indigo bunting and common yellowthroat.

  As fall approaches, the wildflowers like stiff gentian and mistflower add color to red, orange and gold leaves of oak and hickory trees. Migratory birds such as red breasted nuthatch, white throated sparrow and golden crowned kinglet are on the move, and you’re likely to spot raptors such as red shouldered hawk or bald eagle.  
   
  When winter arrives, occasional snow fall provides a welcome respite for visitors seeking the peace and quiet of the season. But winter is still a busy time in nature; watch for reveal yellow bellied sapsucker, pileated and downy woodpeckers. White tail deer and wild turkey are also often visible in the distance. Visitors should also listen for wildlife during winter—including barred or great horned owls.  
   
  Many of our preserves allow deer hunting from October through the first week of January, so wearing blaze orange is suggested when hiking in these areas during hunting season. For the Edge of Appalachia Preserve, the only part of the public trails that allows hunting is the Buckeye Trail sections, including Strait Creek.

• What should I do?

  The Edge is a wonderful place to hike, bird watch, fish, kayak, canoe, take photos and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. In addition, hunting is permitted on a very select portion of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve at certain times of the year. Permission to hunt is granted by Nature Conservancy staff to a limited number of applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. The permit application process for Edge of Appalachia will open in summer. For more information about hunting, including links to permit applications (once open), please visit our Ohio Hunting page. 

  Trails  
  The Edge of Appalachia Preserve (“The Edge”) is comprised of a number of distinct areas that were historically separate preserves. Over time, as the preserve has grown in size, these areas are now part of the larger Edge of Appalachia preserve. Today, many of the Edge’s trailheads are located at these historic preserve locations.  

  E. Lucy Braun Lynx Prairie Preserve Trail: This is the very first preserve protected by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Ohio and one of the earliest TNC preserves in the U.S. Protection of this site was inspired by the work conducted here by the renowned botanist E. Lucy Braun. Enjoy a mix of forest and rare dry limestone prairie, along with impressive displays of prairie wildflowers in late spring and summer.

  • Length of the trail: 1.3-mile loop

  • Type of trail surface: Mowed grass and dirt.

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: Two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade: To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope:  To be determined

  Christian and Emma Goetz Buzzardroost Rock Preserve Trail: This trail first follows along the top of a deep stream valley, then travels through forest and prairie. Visitors will follow along a high wooded ridgetop before finishing at an overlook atop Buzzardroost rock. The overlook was constructed to protect the rare dry limestone prairie that grows on the rock and to provide a sweeping view of the Ohio Brush Creek valley.

  • Length of the trail: 4.4-mile loop

  • Type of trail surface: Mowed grass, dirt, wood steps and overlook platform.

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: Two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade: To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope:  To be determined

  The Charles A. Eulett Wilderness Preserve Trail: Escape into the woods for some peace and quiet on this lightly used trail. The trail path guides visitors down into deep woods, past stands of rare Northern white cedar and by impressive cliffs and boulders of Peebles dolomite.

  • Length of the trail: 2.4-mile loop

  • Type of trail surface: Dirt 

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: Two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade:  To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope: To be determined

  John and Marion Becker Cedar Falls Preserve Helen C. Black Trail: This trail traverses the length of  Cedar Run gorge, terminating at an overlook of Cedar Falls. Hikers will see lush stands of wildflowers in the spring and large blocks of bedrock in the boulder field. Near the overlook, the trail travels through a rare older growth stand of northern white cedar trees. The falls are at their most impressive in the spring, winter and after heavy summer rainfall.  

  • Length of the trail: 3-mile round trip

  • Type of trail surface: dirt, occasional wood boardwalks and bridges 

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade:   To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope:  To be determined

  Joan Jones Portman Trail: This trail provides an excellent introduction to the many varied habitats at the Edge of Appalachia preserve. Hikers will see dry limestone prairie, deciduous forest, dolomite cliffs and a small creek before the trail terminates at a promontory rock with a view of the surrounding hillsides. The trail is coincident for ¾ of a mile with a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail/Buckeye Trail, which continues on for another 15 miles within the preserve.

  • Length of the trail: 1.6-mile round trip

  • Type of trail surface: Dirt, mowed grass 

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: Two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade:  To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope: To be determined

  North Country National Scenic Trail/Buckeye Trail (NCNST/BT): 16 miles of this national and state trail travel through the preserve. Stretching for 4,800 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, the NCNST is the longest national scenic trail in the nation. At 1,444 miles, the BT is the longest trail in Ohio. Within the preserve, the two trails follow the same trail bed as they traverse steep hillsides and deep hollows that are heavily forested with rich deciduous forest. Primarily designed for backpackers, the trail can also be used by day hikers via four different trailheads. The trail features TNC’s only Ohio campsite, which is only accessible on foot and available by permit only. For more information contact The Nature Conservancy at 937-544-2880 or ohio@tnc.org. 

  • Length of the trail: 16 miles one way within the preserve

  • Type of trail surface: Dirt 

  • Typical and minimum trail tread width: Two feet

  • Typical and maximum trail grade: To be determined

  • Typical and maximum trail cross slope:  To be determined

  Please check individual trail pages as activities and visitation rules are different for each trail.

  Please note: Most trails do not have any restroom facilities. There is a restroom at the Dr. George Rieveschl, Jr. Creek's Bend Overlook near the Joan Jones Portman Trail, as well as at the Buzzardroost Rock trailhead.

  Community and Activities  
  
  The Nature Conservancy and the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System are part of an active community of local businesses and organizations working to promote the exciting destinations and things to do in Adams County. Spend the day on the trails but make sure to explore the rest of what  Adams County has to offer at the Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau. Follow backroads to find quilt barns, Amish baked goods, historic sites and much more. Here are a few other  opportunities to enjoy the area.  

  • The Nature Conservancy in partnership with many other organizations, as part of Leadership Adams, created a Hiker's Guide to Adams County, Ohio. The guide is a detailed brochure of nature trails, maps and interpretive information to make visiting Adams County easy and enjoyable. Download the map.

  • The Nature Conservancy and the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) are active partners in managing and protecting the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. The Eulett Center is a hub for that partnership. It sits tucked into a hillside overlooking the preserve and serves as staff offices, meeting space and research lab.

  • Advanced Naturalist Workshops are offered at the Eulett Center by CMC staff. These are unique opportunities to learn from experts and assist scientists in the research process of studying the natural history of the flora and fauna of the area.  

• What amenities are available?

  Hours: Sunrise to sunset

  Parking: Please see each separate trail for parking. Main parking can be found at Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve Visitor Information Pavilion.

  Restrooms: Most trails do not have any restroom facilities. There is a restroom at the Dr. George Rieveschl, Jr. Creek's Bend Overlook near the Joan Jones Portman Trail, as well as at the Buzzardroost Rock trailhead. 

  Main entry point: Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve Visitor Information Pavilion. In addition to the main entrance, each individual trail will have its own amenities. Check individual pages for more details. 

  Visitor Center: No visitor center; only self-help kiosk at picnic pavilion.

  Picnic area: Creeks Bend overlook (also preserve and trail information self-help area, and public wifi)

  River access: Creeks Bend (canoe or fishing). Deep water river access with boat launch and parking is available at Mackenzie Run.

  Water: No potable water anywhere on the preserve. 

  Wildlife viewing areas: No designated viewing area.

  EV Charging: No EV charging at this time.

  Cell phone and wifi service: Most TNC preserves are located in remote areas, meaning cell phone and wifi service may not always be available.  
  

• What should I bring?

  • Wear comfortable footwear suitable for natural trails.

  • To protect yourself from ticks or poison ivy, wear long pants and tuck them into your socks.  

  • No matter the season, each person in your party should bring a full water bottle. Dehydration is a serious risk at any time of the year.

  • To get the most from your visit, you may want to bring some or all of the following items: 

  Snacks

  Camera 

  Insect repellent

  Rain gear

  Sunscreen

  Binoculars 

  Compass

  Field guides (wildflowers, birds, butterflies & other natural features) 

  First aid kit

• What are the preserve guidelines and rules?

  Our vision is of a world where people and nature thrive together. The Nature Conservancy encourages people of all ages, experiences and abilities to visit our preserves and has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind.  

  Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome. In addition, leashed pets are permitted on the Joan Jones-Portman and Buckeye Trails.

  We encourage you to hike open trails and enjoy bird and wildlife watching and other permitted activities. Please do not trespass (or park) on private property adjacent to Conservancy preserves. To protect the plants and wildlife that call the preserve home, TNC prohibits the following:

  • Biking and mountain biking
  • Camping at Edge of Appalachia (except by permit only) 
  • Campfires and cooking 
  • Caving
  • Fishing (except by permit on designated preserves)
  • Geocaching (except by permit on designated preserves)
  • Horseback riding
  • Hang gliding or paragliding
  • Ice skating
  • Hunting (except by permit on designated preserves)
  • Picking flowers, berries, nuts or mushrooms
  • Removing any part of the natural landscape (shells, rocks, etc.)
  • Rappelling
  • Rock climbing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Swimming
  • Firewood collecting
  • Littering (please remove all trash)
  • Drones – aka Personal aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) — Self-propelled or other aircraft are prohibited from taking off, landing or being operated on any TNC preserve except for official TNC purposes, approved research, or in an emergency landing situation. We prohibit the private use of drones on our preserves for the following reasons:

  Privacy and enjoyment of other preserve visitors – In order to avoid capturing images of people who are not related to TNC, and from whom a necessary photo release has not been obtained.

  Wildlife disturbance – To make sure drones will not disturb resident wildlife, especially areas with many birds or ground based nests.

  Preserve management – Unauthorized drones operating in areas where active land management is taking place, such as prescribed burning, could lead to potentially dangerous interactions.

  Respecting neighboring property – Preserve boundaries are not always apparent from the ground. We wish to be good neighbors and minimize the risk of drones accidentally crossing over from our preserves to non-TNC property.

• Ohio Brush Creek access

  The Nature Conservancy maintains two access points for visitors to enjoy Ohio Brush Creek for fishing or via kayak or canoe. 

  Creek’s Bend Canoe Access: Located at 3223 Waggoner Riffle Road, West Union, OH. Paddlers will find parking, picnic pavilion, free WiFi and a maintained path to Ohio Brush Creek. Access is for paddle craft only.   

  Mackenzie Run Boat Ramp: Located at 653 Waggoner Riffle Road, Lynx, OH. Visitors will find parking for vehicles and boat trailers, security lighting, signage and a concrete boat ramp that provides boat and paddle craft access to Ohio Brush Creek. This section of the creek allows deep-water access to the Ohio River just three miles downstream.

• Contact info

  For questions about the preserve, contact The Eulett Center at 937-544-2880.

  If you are experiencing an emergency during your visit, please call 911.