In order to protect our preserves from fire and litter, all Athens Conservancy preserves are smoke-free except on paved roadways.
Trails in Athens Conservancy preserves are designed for pedestrians and are not suitable for horses. Bikes are prohibited in most preserves but are permitted on the trails in Mary Beth Preserve (except the short Gillett Pond Trail) and in Blair Preserve.
Bow hunting for deer is allowed in selected preserves. Currently, it is allowed only in the Baker, Blair, Bluebell, Brookville, Canaan, Deep Hollow-Dark Skies, Mary Beth Zak Lohse, Skunk Run, and Tucker Run Preserves. In addition, gun hunting of deer is permitted in the Baker Preserve. Permission from the Conservancy is necessary to hunt on these properties. Selected other preserves will be open to hunting in the future. For more information, see our hunting policy. Target shooting is prohibited in all preserves. Hunting of any animals other than deer is prohibited in all preserves.
Athens Conservancy purchased about 13 miles of the former B&O Railroad grade in Athens, Waterloo, Rome, and Troy Townships. Sections of it have been developed into recreational trailway for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Ownership of these improved sections has been transferred to the county.
A 282-acre conservation easement on property belonging to Ohio University. The property is open to the public for hiking and deer hunting; hunting requires written permission.
This 75-acre preserve adjoining Strouds Run State Park can be reached from the park on the Trace Trail and is a good area for birding. It is one of the few places in Ohio where the increasingly rare Ruffed Grouse can still be heard drumming on occasion.
This 230-acre preserve, with the original 65 acres donated by American Electric Power and the rest purchased from AEP, adjoins the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway and offers an exceptional display of bluebells, trilliums and other spring wildflowers carpeting the forest floor above the bikepath.
The Brookville Preserve in Athens Township protects a large vernal pool, a forested wetland, which provides important habitat for amphibians.
The Canaan Preserve offers 441 acres of hills, forest, and rock formations. It connects the Baker Preserve with Strouds Run State Park.
This 111-acre preserve, located in Carthage Township about 13 miles southeast of Athens and 16 miles west of Belpre, is mostly forested but includes a hilltop opening well suited for stargazing. A celestial viewing platform is under development.
This 13.6-acre preserve adjoins Strouds Run State Park and includes part of the Beaver Pond Trail.
This exceptionally beautiful 71-acre preserve near Chauncey features mature forest, scenic rock formations, and an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife. The land was purchased chiefly through a fund that was generously established in memory of a passionate, local young woman and aspiring wildland firefighter. In 2023, the preserve was selected as Athens County’s representative in the national Old Growth Forest Network.
Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve
This peaceful 106-acre preserve, located in the village of Stewart, was generously donated by the Winner family. It features many large, old oaks and a walking trail that runs 0.75 mile from the ridgetop entrance to a stream bottom.
This 36-acre preserve in Bern Township extends from the Marietta Run flood plain to the upper slopes of a ridge and is heavily wooded. The north-facing slope supports a diversity of spring wildflowers. Access to most of the preserve requires wading across Marietta Run.
This 311-acre preserve borders Strouds Run State Park and Riddle State Nature Preserve. Features include a pond with an art trail and a ridgetop trail with lovely autumn and winter vistas. The climb to reach the latter is a serious workout!
Nestled in Athens’ Northpoint neighborhood off Peach Ridge Road, this 3.7 acre property includes a short loop trail built by local residents. The land was generously donated by Diversified Properties of Athens and is being nurtured as a small, neighborhood conservation preserve.
This 48-acre preserve along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway near Glen Ebon Road has frontage on the Hocking River. The preserve includes mature riparian forest and a striking cliff face overlooking a stream-bottom wetland. The two non-contiguous tracts were purchased in 2015 and 2016 with Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grants.
This 74-acre forested preserve borders the former B&O railroad grade where it crosses Ireland road (CR 59) northeast of Coolville. It was purchased in three parts in 2013, 2016, and 2017 with Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grants as a nature preserve and to provide a possible detour for the Athens-Belpre Rail-Trail around a privately owned segment of the former railroad corridor.
Land in the vicinity of the former mining town known as Eclipse, purchased with Clean Ohio funds to protect a wetland and provide a bike path corridor between Athens High School and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.
This property adjoining Strouds Run State Park protects the headwaters of Tucker Run, one of the streams that feeds Dow Lake.