Outbound Collective logo

Glen Helen Nature Preserve Loop

Yellow Springs, Ohio

Details

Distance

2.77 miles

Elevation Gain

367 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by John Clairmont

Enjoy a calming nature hike alongside a stream and some cliff faces.

Glen Helen is located just next to downtown Yellow Springs, a small but well-known town popular for its eclectic and artistic community. This preserve was set to close permanently in 2020 due to lack of funding, but the former owner Antioch College sold the preserve to the Glen Helen Association who reopened it to the public and reinvigorated a new wave of donations to save the preserve. There are many educational programs offered year round, a museum and nature shop, and even a raptor center for injured bird rehabilitation! 

Several important things to note: this is a nature preserve, so some rules are more strict than usual hiking areas. For instance, visitors are not allowed to picnic or enter the water, and you must follow the paths and not deviate from them even if they are muddy. Pets are allowed so long as they are leashed and within 6 feet of you. Finally, there is a parking fee for all non-member visitors of $5 to help support the preserve and upkeep its facilities and programs.

For a local craft beer after your hike, head to one of the two breweries located nearby, Yellow Springs Brewery or newly formed Trail Town Brewing.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Fitness
Photography
Running
Backpacking
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
Groups
River
Wildlife

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Visit the Tecumseh Sunflower Field

Rock Climb at John Bryan SP

Hike the North Rim of the Little Miami River

Clifton Gorge

Hike to Cedar Cliff Falls

Hike the Gorge Trail at Indian Mounds