Cincinnati is perfectly located to experience all sorts of activities, including plenty of outdoor adventures. Within a short driving distance from the city, you can hike through a gorge, wander among wildflowers, or stroll around a picturesque lake. East of Dayton and about an hour from Cincinnati, you'll find a hidden gem that offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature. Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a heavenly collection of hiking trails near the Queen City and it's just begging to be visited.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a beautiful feature of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, which is located about an hour north of Cincinnati. It’s one of many attractions in the area that warrant a visit from our city.
Its 1,000 acres include 20 miles of hiking trails that are filled with scenery unlike that within the Cincinnati city limits. As a non-profit preserve, members, visitors, and volunteers all contribute to keeping this land untouched and natural as possible.
The hiking trails are open daily from dawn to dusk all year long, and visiting the preserve costs only $5 per car for parking. As with any preserve, respect for the land, plants, and wildlife are of the utmost importance, which is why swimming, picnicking, and littering are strictly prohibited. Bring along your own water and a snack, but be sure to pack out any trash or dispose of it in a proper place.
When you arrive, pick up a trail map and plan out your adventure. Within a few steps, you'll be amongst wildflowers, rock formations, 400-year-old trees, and picturesque waterways.
The water features are one of the highlights along the trails, and you'll run across several. They are beautiful all year long, whether surrounded by budding trees or covered in ice.
The water from the Yellow Spring - the town's namesake - whisks you away from the demands of everyday life. Take your time meandering down the trails and taking it all in.
Glen Helen is also home to quite a bit of wildlife, including a Raptor Center. Before your visit, you may wish to check the preserve's calendar and plan your trip around a special event, as they are held for all ages throughout the year.
There are times when you just want to get out of the city and into nature, and Glen Helen is the ideal place to do so. Its hiking trails are wonderfully unique and inviting, and a day trip here may just be the relaxing experience you're looking for.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a wonderful collection of hiking trails that are so worth a quick trip from Cincinnati. Experience waterfalls, a variety of plant and wildlife, and much more at this heavenly spot near our city. Have you spent time exploring these hiking trails? Let us know in the comments and tag your outdoor-loving friends who will visit with you.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is located at 405 Corry St., Yellow Springs, OH 45387. The hiking trails are open from dawn to dusk every day of the year. For more information, visit its website here and follow along on Facebook here.
And if you'd like to turn your visit into a weekend of waterfall fun, check out our itinerary ideas in a previous article here.
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