Adams County, Ohio Travel and Visitors Bureau

47-acre lake with boat ramp. Electric motors only.

The adjoining Adams Lake State Nature Preserve has two short loop trails for approximately 1/2- mile total hiking. Both are considered easy hikes, The Prairie Dock Trail is yet another example of small prairie openings common in Adams County. The Post Oak Trail features a short hike through an oak-hickory forest.

A blackjack-post oak prairie opening with outstanding summer prairie wildflowers and butterflies. This is an outstanding cedar barren prairie with post and blackjack oak. It supports one of the most extensive populations of rattlesnake-master in the state. Prairie dock and spiked blazing-star are also unusually abundant at this site. Eleven state-listed species have been recorded from the preserve including spider milkweed, prairie false indigo, pink milkwort and Carolina buckthorn. Little bluestem is the dominant prairie grass. Several rare lepidoptera, such as Edward's hairstreak butterfly, have been reported from this preserve.

The 3/4-mile Hawk Hill Loop Trail that winds through the prairie features a brilliant display of late summer wildflowers. Considered an easy hike, the prairie is best viewed during July and August. The fire break trail around the perimeter of the preserve adds another mile of hiking.

This 88-acre nature preserve, set in an area of exceptional scenic beauty, is of interest primarily to geologists and botanists. The preserve contains an impressive geologic fault, dolomite cliffs, a cave, and a diverse flora. There are two richly forested hiking trails. Diverse site with rare species and excellent spring wildflowers. Davis Memorial Preserve is an outstanding geological as well as botanical natural area. There is a cave, Cedar Fork Cave, and occasional sinkholes in the preserve as well as excellent Silurian dolomite cliffs. Both Greenfield dolomite and Peebles dolomite are exposed. Ohio black shale occurs on the tops of the knobs. An impressive fault, causing vertical displacement of 30 feet, exposes adjacent cliffs of Greenfield and Peebles dolomite. A classic sinkhole occurs along the Buckeye Trail at the south end of the preserve. The dolomite cliffs provide habitat for white cedars and sullivantia. American aloe, dwarf hawthorn, hairy wing-stem, side-oats gramma grass and purple coneflower are found in the prairie openings. Other significant species present include tall larkspur, limestone Adder's-tongue fern, narrow-leaved bluecurls and Walter's violet.

This preserve contains two loop trails approximately one-half mile each, connecting with the Buckeye Trail for a total of two miles of hiking. Good year round hiking, the trails vary from easy to moderate. Hikers will see a display of spring wildflowers, geological formations, and fall colors.

A private preserve of 14,000 acres of forest, prairies, waterfalls, gorges, and mountains, containing over 100 rare species of plants and animals. Administered jointly by the Nature Conservancy and Cincinnati Museum Center, the preserve contains and protects such local landmarks as Buzzardroost, Cedar Falls, Red Rock, The Swirl Hole, and Lynx Prairie.

• The Edge of Appalachia Preserve has three hiking trails open to the public. All trails are marked and well maintained. Click here for trail maps.
  
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• Lynx Prairie Trail is 1.5 mile round loop trail. The Lynx Prairie is a National Natural Landmark and it best viewed in late summer when the prairie is blooming. It’s an easy hike that features over 200 species of plants and prairie flowers.
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• Wilderness Trail is 2.5 mile loop trail. A moderate hike through the 1,200 acre preserve will reveal an unbroken forest with limestone cliffs and over 50 rare plants and flowers. A good spring and fall hike.
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• Buzzardroost Rock Trail is 1.5 miles one way to Buzzardroost Rock. Buzzardroost is perhaps the most popular hike in Adams County and for good reason. A strenuous hike of three miles to the “Roost” and back rewards hikers with a spectacular view of Brush CreekValley at the trails end. Spring wildflowers, fall colors, and during winter, the surrounding landscape lays bare all its unique geological features for everyone to see include the nearby Tiffin cliffs. Excellent hiking year round.

270 acres filled with Dolomite cliffs, slump blocks, sinkholes and good spring wildflowers. Pull off parking and a sign are present. The preserve has a moderate 1-3/4 mile hike among the Ohio River hills.  During late fall, after the leaves are gone, hikers can view the Ohio River valley.

Adams County's newest preserve featuring natural arches, dolomite cliffs and slump blocks. This preserve protects a tributary of the Scioto Brush Creek and includes a 1.5mile hiking trail that concludes with a loop. Hikers will see geological formations, spring wildflowers, and a large natural arch. The trail follows Cedar Fork a tributary of Scioto Brush Creek and is considered a moderate hike.