Strouds Ridge Preserve

Strouds Ridge Preserve at a Glance
Date established:Sells Park created 1939 as Federal reserve
Ceded to City of Athens in 1974
Remainder purchased 2002-2005; purchased with Clean Ohio funds
Acreage (total):275 acres (111 hectares)
Miles of trails:Approx. 5 miles (8 kilometers)
Hunting:No hunting allowed in Sells Park, Riddle Preserve, or Hope Drive Tract; all hunting allowed on COAD Tract
275 acres in Athens and Canaan Townships, Athens County, Ohio. This preserve includes both the Riddle State Nature Preserve and Sells Park, both owned by the City of Athens. Overall, the preserve is in two discontinuous sections. The western section includes Riddle and Sells as well as the COAD tract. The eastern portion is known as the Hope Drive Tract.

Sells Park, 22 acres, was originally donated to the Federal government by Edward and Laura Sells in 1939. It was developed as a CCC work site, with a large pavilion, pond, restrooms, trails, and picnic areas, and managed by the Wayne National Forest, the original headquarters of which were two blocks away. Over the years, maintenance flagged and most structures, including the pavilion and restrooms, were removed. In 1974, the property was ceded by the Feds to the City of Athens.

Starting in 2002, efforts were made to connect Sells Park with Strouds Run State Park by purchasing properties with the new Clean Ohio Conservation Fund. The COAD tract was purchased first in 2003, then Hawk Woods, one of the very few old-growth forests remaining in Ohio. Hawk Woods became the Riddle State Nature Preserve. The Hope Drive tract was purchased in 2005.

The purchases of these lands enabled connection of Sells to Strouds Run State Park via a popular trail system that accommodates both hikers and mountain bikers. The principal trails are the Athens Trail and the Rockhouse Trail.

Trails in the Athens Trail System at the Strouds Ridge Preserve

  • Athens Trail: This is a 3.2-mile trail extending from Sells Park eastward, mostly on the ridgetop, through Riddle, Strouds Run SP, and the COAD Tract, emerging on the steep graveled Reservoir Road, which takes it to the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. Another 0.3 mile of the bikeway takes it to the bikeway parking area near the Pepsi plant.
  • Rockhouse Trail: This is a 2.7-mile trail extending from Sells park eastward, just below the bluff line, through Riddle, the COAD Tract, and terminating in Strouds Run SP near Turtlehead Cave, where it connects to the Athens Trail via the White Oak Trail. This is a very scenic trail, with many rock features, and mostly quite easy.
  • Connector Trails:
    • Lookout Trail: A short spur trail off the Rockhouse Trail, leading to an overlook. No bicycles allowed on this trail.
    • Redbud Trail: A short connector between Sells Pond and the Rockhouse Trail.
    • Sourwood Trail: A short connector trail from the Rockhouse Trail to the Athens Trail, mostly through the Riddle Preserve
    • Pawpaw Trail: A short connector trail from the Rockhouse Trail to the Athens Trail, through the COAD Tract.
    • Basswood Trail: A 0.6-mile connector trail from the Rockhouse Trail to the Athens Trail, through the COAD Tract.
    • Cucumbertree Trail: A 0.5-mile trail connecting the Rockhouse Trail with the Dance Barn Trailhead off East State Street, through both the COAD Tract and through private property.
    • White Ash Trail: A 0.6-mile connector trail from the Rockhouse Trail to the Athens Trail, within Strouds Run State Park.
    • White Oak Trail: A short connector trail from the Rockhouse Trail to the Athens Trail, within Strouds Run State Park.
  • Finger Rock Trail: A 1.2-mile trail connecting the Athens Trail to the Trace Trail near the Hickory Trail, within Strouds Run State Park.
  • Trace Trail: A 1.2-mile trail connecting the Athens Trail to the Pioneer Cemetery Trailhead on Strouds Run Road, through Strouds Run State Park, the Blair Preserve, and private land.
  • Tunnel Rock Trail: A short trail connecting the Trace Trail to the Chestnut Grove Backpacking Camp, on the Blair Preserve.

Directions to the Strouds Ridge Preserve

To reach the Sells Park Trailhead, take State Street east in Athens to Avon Place, which is east of US-33, directly across from the exercise room of the Athens Community Center. Turn left on Avon Place and go to its end, where there is a small parking area for Sells Park.

To reach the Pepsi bikeway trailhead, take State Street east in Athens past Lowes and the Market on East State, and look for the parking area on the right, just before the Pepsi plant. To reach the Athens Trail, take the bikeway east to Hope Drive, turn left into Hope Drive, then turn left again into the gravel road.

To reach the Pioneer Cemetery Trailhead, take Carpenter Street west (uphill), which becomes Lancaster Street. Turn right at the stoplight at the very top of the hill. This is at first Lancaster Street, then Columbia Avenue, then Strouds Run Road. Bear right at the two forks. After going over the overpass at US-33 to the stopsign, turn right to stay on Strouds Run Road. The trailhead is the first parking area on the right after entering the park, just after the big field.