Edge of Appalachia Preserve System

Visit

• What to See

  Visitors will find mixed mesophytic forests, wildflowers and medicinal plants, and Appalachian herbs like great rhododendron and Canby’s mountain-lover. 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.

  Each preserve and trail showcases different habitat types and unique features.

  E. Lucy Braun Lynx Prairie Preserve and Trail: This is the very first preserve protected by TNC in Ohio. Protection of this preserve was inspired by the renowned botanist E. Lucy Braun. Enjoy a mix of forest and prairie remnants with 1.3 miles of easy trail.

  Christian and Emma Goetz Buzzardroost Rock Preserve and Trail: The most amazing view in Ohio is atop the promontory of Buzzardroost Rock. A more rugged trail with a newly updated boardwalk and overlook at the end of the 4.4-mile, moderately difficult trail.

  The Charles A. Eulett Wilderness Preserve and Trail: Escape into the woods for some peace and quiet. This trail guides visitors uphill, then down into deep woods and past cool glens and gray limestone cliffs. 2.4 miles moderate loop trail.

  John and Marion Becker Cedar Falls Preserve and Helen C. Black Trail: Our newest trail opened to the public in 2020. The 3-mile trail can be strenuous at times, but worth it to experience the dramatic geology and ultimately the falls.

  Joan Jones Portman Preserve and Trail: TNC and Buckeye Trail Association volunteers designed and crafted the trail on this preserve through forest and prairie. This moved a portion of the Buckeye Trail off the road and into the wild. The trail is 1.6 miles if you do the full loop in and out. The Buckeye Trail continues on for another 14 miles within the TNC preserve from a point along the Joan Jones Portman Trail.  That point is marked with a sign.

  Single-night primitive camping is available to backpackers by written permit. See 'Buckeye Trail and Camping' tab for details.
  

  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.

• Ohio Brush Creek Access

  The Nature Conservancy maintains two access points for visitors to enjoy Ohio Brush Creek.

  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.

• 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. 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 or check it out online here.
  • 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.  
  • TNC offers volunteer opportunities to work with our staff at the Edge to help us maintain trails, manage for invasive species, and other preserve management activities. This work gives volunteers experience with our work and a chance to access some of the more remote parts of the preserve. Contact our volunteer coordinator to get notified of volunteer opportunities. ohvolunteer@tnc.org
• Preserve Guidelines

  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.

  To minimize disturbance of state protected and endangered species of this nature preserve, please follow these guidelines:

  • Pets are not permitted on the nature preserve.
    

  • Swimming is not permitted.

  • Fishing is permitted only at the Creek’s Bend Overlook canoe access area and the Mackenzie Run Boat Ramp.

  • Trails are open to foot traffic only. Visitors should stay on marked trails.

  • Please carry out all garbage. 

  • Take only pictures. Leave only footprints. Kill only time. 

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

• Buckeye Trail and Camping

  For nearly 1,444 miles, the Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. Nearly 16 miles of the Buckeye Trail are located within the Edge of Appalachia Preserve with a small portion overlapping the Joan Jones Portman Trail. This is thanks to a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Buckeye Trail Association. The Nature Conservancy manages the land and helped fund the installation of the trail, while the Buckeye Trail Association helped to build it and maintains it. This section of the trail also coincides with the North Country National Scenic Trail, which stretches 4,600 miles to connect New York to North Dakota, and is the longest national scenic trail in the United States. 

  • The Joan Jones Portman Trail is 1.6 miles if you do the full loop in and out. The Buckeye Trail continues on for another 14 miles within the TNC preserve from a point along the trail that is marked with a sign.
  • Single-night primitive camping is available to backpackers by written permit for only the portion of the Buckeye trail that is on Edge of Appalachia Preserve property. This is the only TNC trail in Ohio where backpacking is allowed. To obtain permits, please contact The Nature Conservancy at 937-544-2880 or ohio@tnc.org. Camping is not permitted on any other portion of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve.
• Hunting
  • Hunting is an important tool in wildlife and habitat management. 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 2024. For more information about hunting, including links to permit applications (once open), please visit our Ohio Hunting page.