Wilderness Hiking
Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

    The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System exists to preserve native ecosystems, and to provide education on natural history. Compatible with our mission is the offering of wilderness trails to people who enjoy low-impact hiking on unimproved trails, governed by a permit system. There is no fee for permits, but a donation is greatly appreciated as our non-profit organization can not sustainably preserve significant ecosystems and maintain public service to visitors without private support. All visitors to the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System must apply in advance for a permit, which needs to be displayed in their windshield in order to park at the various trailheads.  Please note that guests lodging at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary do not need to apply separately for trail permits since an application is automatically completed for them when a reservation is made.

    Hiking Permit Parameters: All permit holders must agree to read and abide by the preserve system's regulations, which are included in the application form in full. In summary, hikers must remain on the trail and not collect or disturb the plants and animals. Pets are not permitted.

    There is ONE Arc of Appalachia preserve destination that does NOT require a permit and it is Cave Canyon, located at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Visitors may enter only during open hours and a small admission fee is charged. For more information, click here.


The following sites may be accessed by wilderness permit:

Highlands Nature Sanctuary's backcountry trails, Highland County
Permit-holders may enjoy over twelve miles of scenic hiking trails in near solitude at the largest preserve region and organization's main headquarters.  In this 2000-acre preserve area, wildflower-laden glens, unusual rock formations, hemlock groves, and sheer canyon cliffs bordering Rocky Fork Creek can be viewed from trailside. A permit allows visitors access to all of the trails at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary except for the trails at Cave Canyon Nature Preserve.  Approved permit-holders are greeted by a Sanctuary staff member at the Appalachian Forest Museum at Cave Canyon Preserve at a scheduled time convenient for the applicant. Hikers will be provided with a permit, a trail map, an orientation to the preserve system, and suggested routes that showcase the current season. Click here for directions. For more details on the natural history of the Highlands region, please click here.

Kamama Nature Preserve, Adams County
Permit-holders may enjoy 3-4 miles of trails in an extremely rare ecosystem -- the alkaline short-grass prairie unique in Ohio to Adams County. Peak blooming times are mid-April through mid-May, mid July, and mid August. the natural history of Ka-ma-ma is thoroughly described at this site. Application and orientation to the site is processed by email, as well as the permits themselves.

Other ARC destinations under development.
We are working to develop trail systems at other preserve locations. Under development are trails at Gladys Riley Golden Star Lily Preserve, Plum Run and Chalet Nivale. We hope to have these trails available by permit in either 2009 or 2010.

Other destinations of interest:

Spruce Hill, Ross County
By the end of 2008, Spruce Hill is scheduled to become one of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System's newest natural area. It is currently held in ownership by The Archaeological Conservancy and Wilderness East. To receive verbal permission to enter Spruce Hill and directions in the meantime, please call Larry Henry at 937-365-1600. To ensure sufficient time to make your travel plans, please call several days in advance as Larry is often out in the field. There is no archaeological collecting or disturbance permitted on this site. Visitors must stay on the trail at all times, or within the mowed boundary on the ridge top. For more information on this site, click here.

Miller State Nature Preserve
This preserve which adjoins the Highlands Nature Sanctuary is owned by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. Miller boasts one of the most spectacular displays of shooting stars in the late April. All year long visitors can enjoy an excellent trail system that meanders along the dolomite cliffs and crosses small falls and riffles. Visitors must apply for a permit through The Division at least two weeks in advance of their stay. Miller's trail system is contiguous to the Highlands' Cedar Run Trail. Getting permits from both organizations can greatly enhance your hiking experience. Contact www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/dnap/dnap.html  to apply; click on “permit only preserves”, then click on “access permit required” to copy the permit.

 

Please read before you apply:

The hiking trails of the ARC are back-country in nature. Trails are usually two feet or less in width, and trailside vegetation is cut back minimally in order to maintain the trail so that hiking remains low-impact. Trails are otherwise unimproved, crossing small creeks without the help of bridges, and crossing the occasional downed log. Paths gently wind around the natural contours of the land, with frequent switchbacks on inclines in order to minimize erosion. Most trails are approximately two miles in length and are commonly loop trails. Hiking boots and long pants are recommended.

Philosophy of Harmlessness. The Arc of Appalachia was founded not only as a traditional nature preserve, but as a place where humanity can learn to be gentle stewards of the land. Here in the Sanctuary, native species are preserved not just because  they may benefit humanity someday in a tangible way but because each and every species as an irreplaceable thread in the magical tapestry of life -- regardless of their utility.  We ask all visitors to walk the path of humility, recognizing that humans understand only a fraction of the dynamics and complexity of our natural systems. For these reasons, all rules and regulations concerning the Sanctuary are interwoven with the basic requirement that those who come here walk lightly, with deep respect.

Unavailable Dates: The following dates are not available for wilderness permits: Wildflower Pilgrimage Weekend, April 17, 18, 19, 20, 2008.

To apply for a wilderness permit for Highlands Nature Sanctuary, please click on Application.

Common Questions:

Do you allow hunting and fishing?
The Arc of Appalachia Preserve system supports the recreational benefits of hunting and fishing, but does not permit these activities within the preserve boundaries. This is not a philosophical disagreement, but rather our organization's chosen role in helping preserve the fullest diversity of our region's native plant and animal life. Ensuring protection of our natural landscape requires a multitude of strategies. State Forests and Wildlife Areas are subsidized by tax dollars and offer the largest acreage of conservation lands of any entity, with an emphasis on  sustainable timber and recreational hunting. Attendance to these large tracts of land is relatively low. Here people can walk off-trail, run with their dogs, harvest mushrooms, fish, harvest certain plants in season, and enjoy maximum freedom of movement. Parks, usually government run, are smaller in acreage and have as their main emphasis outdoor recreation. They attract the greatest attendance of all the conservations lands, and require greater restraints from their visitors than do State Forests in order to help preserve the beauty of their landscape amidst high visitation pressures. In Parks, hunting regions are prohibited or restricted, and hikers are requested to remain on the trails. Dogs are either prohibited or requested to stay on a leash. Harvesting of plants is prohibited. Nature Preserves, both public and private, are the third type of conservation land. In total, they make up the smallest acreage of all three types, and are the only land bases on which the preservation of the ecological systems is put above other uses. Nature preserves request the greatest restraint from their visitors, asking people to stay on the trails, and otherwise minimize their impact. The greatest benefits that nature preserves usually offer  visitors is undisturbed scenery, highly-intact eco-systems, relatively low human attendance, access to rare and endangered ecosystems, and relatively high tranquility and peace. All forms of conservation are important, and we need all three types of conservation lands to remain in vital existence if we are to successfully meet the needs of our native plants, our wildlife, and the emotional, recreational and spiritual needs of our people. It is important before entering a conservation land to recognize whether you are entering a managed forest, a park, or a nature preserve, so as to be enjoy the benefits and limitations offered by each system.

What is the best time of the year to visit?
Other than the deep winter of January and February, when ice can make the trails and parking lots difficult or inaccessible, the trails are beautiful all times of the year. Spring Wildflowers last from the first week of April to the first week of May, with their showy diversity peaking from April 15th to April 24th. Birding is excellent here, with peak bird migrations coming through in last week of April. Hiking down Cave Road is a great birding "trail", with birds and their songs bountiful from April through early August. Another great birding spot is Taloden Woods Preserve. August and September brings night time chants from our katydid tribe--music to the ears of nature lovers if you can stay overnight to enjoy the sound show. Fall color peaks widely, but usually crests the third week of October. November is a surprisingly beautiful month to hike, after the leaves have fallen to the ground and the rock formations and ridge top vistas sweep into full view. At that time the ground is still warm, and we are graced with many nice days in the fifties and sixties--perfect hiking weather. Two early spring wildflowers worth pursuing are the Harbingers of Spring and the tiny Snow Trilliums. They are evasive--opening up on the first warm days of spring. They can usually be found the last two weeks of March on sunny warm days.

Why can't I bring my dog? She's a wonderful dog, and I would keep her on a leash.
Being dog lovers ourselves, we know and appreciate the capacity of a dog to be friendly, quiet and to obediently stay on a trail. Unfortunately, not all dogs are so well trained, and a dog that has not been invested in by his or her owner can be a disturbance to the natural environment and other visitors. So, despite the fact that your dog may be exceptional, we must err on the side of caution and fairly administer our regulation equally to all.

I'm a donor of this organization. Why do I have to wait for a permit, and why do I have pay to enter Cave Canyon?
Our non-profit is not set up as a membership organization. but is mandated to serve the greater world. As grateful as we are to our donors who have made this beautiful preserve system possible, one of the ethical pledges that a non-profit such as ours must make is to serve all citizens equally, and that gifts must be received as unconditional support. The Internal Revenue Service mandates that public service be given without special privileges to donors, unless their gift amount is reduced in accordance with the services received. Please don't think that our impartiality reflects in any way a lack of appreciation on our part. You are VERY special and cherished people. The best way we know to show our appreciation is to use your dollar as productively and as frugally as possible to advance our mission of nature preservation and education.

I would like to do scientific research on one of your preserves. How do I get permission?
The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System welcomes scientific studies that have the potential of usefully advancing the protection of natural habitats and/or species, when the research is  associated with an established academic organization and the resulting data is publicly available. Please know that permits are not usually awarded to projects that involve permanent plant or animal collection, or undue disturbance or harm to individuals or species. Please send your requests to director@highlandssanctuary.org.

I want to photograph off-trail. How do I get permission?
We encourage nature photography in our preserve system but request that photographers remain on the trail. Thanks for your understanding.