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 18,000 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 four hiking trails open to the public. All trails are marked and well maintained. Click here for trail maps.
  
  
• Lynx Prairie Trail is 1.6 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.|
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Buzzardroost Rock Trail is a 4.5-mile round-trip trail 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. 

• Helen C. Black Trail at Cedar Falls is the Edge Preserve’s newest trail. This 3-mile, round-trip trail begins among a grove of eastern red cedar trees and ends at a dramatic overlook perched on the edge of a cliff above the falls.

• Joan Portman Trail/Buckeye Trail where you can experience a panoramic view of the Ohio Brush Creek Valley on this 1.5-mile, round-trip trail extending through both prairie and forest. The 1,400-mile Buckeye Trail continues eastward from the overlook but is designed for long-distance and through-hikers only. It does not return to the parking area.
   
   
   
  George Rieveschl Jr. Creek’s Bend Overlook
  Stop by the preserve's visitor information area to learn more about the preserve, get maps, launch a canoe on Ohio Brush Creek or walk the short, all-accessible Prairie Garden Trail. 
   
  *Photo credit goes to Eric Albrecht
   

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.

Serpent Mound is one of the few effigy mounds in Ohio. It is the largest and finest serpent effigy in the United States. The museum contains exhibits on the mound and the geology of the surrounding area, known as the Serpent Mound crypto explosion structure. It is located on State Route 73 six miles north of State Route 32. It is operated and maintained by the Ohio Historical Society. Serpent Mound is open year round, although hours vary with the seasons. Museum hours also vary. There are special hours for schools and other groups by appointment. Please call 937-587-2796 for more information. Serpent Mound is one of the few effigy mounds in Ohio. It is the largest and finest serpent effigy in the United States. The museum contains exhibits on the mound and the geology of the surrounding area, known as the Serpent Mound crypto explosion structure. It is located on State Route 73 six miles north of State Route 32. It is operated and maintained by the Ohio Historical Society. Serpent Mound is open year round, although hours vary with the seasons. Museum hours also vary. There are special hours for schools and other groups by appointment. See this page for more detailed information on park hours.

Features a short, 1/4-mile, trail that winds downhill to the Brush Creek valley. Considered a moderate hike, the trail is at its best during the early spring when Trilliums cover the hillsides.

Please call 937-587-2796 for more information.

From their website: "Located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, Shawnee State Park is nestled in the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, the region is one of the most picturesque in the state, featuring erosion-carved valleys and wooded hills. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname 'The Little Smokies.' "

Shawnee State Forest is along the border of Adams & Scioto Counties and has many quiet gravel roads - excellent for mountain bike trips.

There are several hiking trails including a section of the North County Trail that goes through the Shawnee Wilderness Area. The Buckhorn trail, a seven mile bridle & hiking trail takes hikers into the heart of the wilderness area. The Cabbage Patch Trail also leads into the interior of the wilderness area can be accessed off Lower Twin Creek Road. The trails range from moderate to strenuous. Hikers may encounter remains of old sandstone quarries active during the late 1800’s.

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.