Greene County Parks & Nature Preserves

The following list of parks and preserves includes those managed by federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies (such as the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, various historical societies, etc.).

We have tried to collect information on the activities and facilities available at various parks, but things may change without us knowing about it. So please double-check the information at the official site (click on the park’s name to go there).

Beaver Creek Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Trail map
• Park size: 380 acres, including a 50-acre freshwater fen
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Handicap accessible: The boardwalk is supposed to be handicap accessible.
• This unique wildlife area contains five of six wetland types found in Ohio, including shrub swamp, wet meadow, and wooded riparian corridor. There is both a boardwalk and observation tower to make viewing the area easier. 79 species of birds breed here.

Caesar Creek Lake Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Trail map
• Park size: 3,100 acres
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Meadow and grain crops cover about 50 percent of the wildlife area and woodlands make up about 40 percent with the remaining 10 percent experiencing succession. There are boat launch facilities.

Clifton Gorge (State Nature Preserve)

• 2331 State Route 343 Yellow Springs, OH  45387
• GPS coordinates: N39.799437,W83.833709
• Trail map
• Park size: 268 acres
• Total trail length: 3 miles
• Dogs not permitted
• Restrooms (There is a port-a-potty near the Nature Center.)
• Clifton Gorge is the result of erosion by a large meltwater river originating from the waning Wisconsinan continental glacier. Scenic waterfalls and rapids are among the attractions here. A large variety of plants grow in and near the gorge, among them red baneberry, the wall rue fern, hepatica and snow trillium. The remains of two pioneer mills are still visible. There is a Nature center on site. This is one of the most visited sites in Ohio’s system of state nature preservers.
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio posts about Clifton Gorge

Creekside Bikeway (Bike Path)

• Total trail length: 17.9 miles

Glen Helen Nature Preserve (Glen Helen Ecology Institute.(NGO))

• 505 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio
• Location: Directions to the Glen, a page at the official site.
• Trail map
• Park size: 1,000 acres
• Total trail length: 25 miles
• Dog friendly
• Fishing not permitted
• Restrooms
• In addition to the extensive nature trails, there is a Trailside museum, Nature Shop, Atrium Gallery (featuring local artists) and a Raptor Center for injured birds of prey. During the summer there are eco-camps in both a day camp offering and an overnight camp. Notable sites in the preserve include a restored mill, a covered bridge, a quarry pond, a waterfall on Birch Creek, and a Hopewell Indian Mound.
• 69 species of wildflowers and 153 species of birds have been sighted in the preserve.
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio posts on Glen Helen

John Bryan (State Park)

• 3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
• GPS coordinates: N39.791927,W83.867751
• Trail map
• Park size: 752 acres
• Total trail length: 11.4 miles
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Rock climbing
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Attractions include canoeing, sledding, disc golf (soon), and an Astronomical observatory. A Rock climbing and rappelling area has also been established within the park. Winter activiti.es include sledding and cross-country skiing.
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio posts about John Bryan

Spring Valley Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 842 acres
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Archery range
• Firearms range
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Handicap accessible: There is a handicap accessible Electric APV Trail – Permit Required.
• 2.5 mile observation trail around marsh for bird watchers

Travertine Fen (State Nature Preserve)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 21 acres
• Permit required
• Contact Greene County Park District for information

Zimmerman Prairie (State Nature Preserve)

• GPS coordinates: N39.725882,W84.069876 (surmised from description of the location)
• Location: Located on a small section of land bordered by US Route 35, Research Boulevard (SR 835) and a railroad right-of-way (H-connection bikeway).
• Park size: 3 acres
• Permit required
• This small preserve consists of a prairie fen with a number of rare plants such as queen-of-the-prairie, Riddell’s goldenrod, prairie dock, big bluestem, Indian grass and Ohio goldenrod. From the description I am guessing what the GPS coordinates might be as well as the preserves location on Google Maps. Apparently there are no facilities here, not even a pull-off or driveway. If you park along US Route 35, the official site advises you to exercise caution.
• Location on Google Maps

Last Update: 05/01/2013 19:02:04

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