Arc of Appalachia Hiking Regulations
and Frequently Asked Questions
for Visitors
No Hunting or Collecting. Hunting, fishing, picking, digging, and collecting of plants or samples are not allowed in the preserve areas for any reason. Please do not remove any rock, plant, or animal from any of the preserve areas.
Potential Danger. For safety reasons, please know that our trails are narrow, primitive and unimproved. They may have slippery and uneven surfaces. Some of the trails follow the rims of potentially dangerous vertical cliffs without railings. Children MUST be closely supervised and kept in close proximity to their parents at all times. It is recommended to hike with another person in case of emergency. All hiking in the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System is strictly at your own risk. You may be asked to sign a waiver agreeing that you understand these conditions before hiking.
Visitors must display a membership decal or parking pass prominently. For safety reasons, we require that all hiking guests be previously registered and oriented through our membership program or through our main visitor center.
Visitors may access Arc property only on designated hiking trails unless accompanied by staff members or issued a special permit. Visitors are asked to not take shortcuts, nor go off the trail to a cliff’s edge for a special view. The Arc is home to many rare plants – many living in extremely fragile and appealing places such as cliff rims, lookouts and fallen boulders. Arc trails are deliberately narrow in order to be low-impact. It is important that visitors remain in the on the trail so as not to damage wildflowers and ferns growing along the trailside. Visitors are asked to explain these rules to their children and keep them close by, for the protection of both the sanctuary and their children – there are many sheer drop-offs and cliffs in our region.
Follow switchbacks. The trails at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary are narrow and winding. They adapt to the natural contours to minimize erosion, avoiding delicate areas that have rare plants. When switchbacks are obvious, please stay on the designated trail, guiding children to do likewise.
The only traffic permitted on trails is human foot traffic. Please, no pets. Motorized vehicles, horseback riding and bicycles are not permitted on the trails. Because of the unsafe conditions of the narrow, ecologically delicate, and uneven trails, use of power-driven mobility devices on the trails, as defined by federal regulations, is not permitted. Seeing-eye dogs in harness, and when accompanied and supervised by their designated human partner, are permitted.
All visitors are asked to walk and speak quietly on the trails, stepping lightly and keeping voices low so as not to disturb fellow hikers and the wildlife in the preserve.
Arc properties, including all buildings, are drug and alcohol-free zones. Smoking is not permitted inside or near the buildings nor on the trails. When a building is rented solely by a private group, responsible alcohol consumption and smoking outside the building (only) is permitted.
Please pack out all refuse and litter. Helping to pick up litter along the trail and roadsides is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
No firewood collecting is permitted on Arc lands.
Park cars in designated parking areas only. Do not park along the roadsides.
Philosophy of Harmlessness. The Arc of Appalachia consists not only of traditional nature preserves, but is a place where humanity can learn to be gentle stewards of the land. In our preserves, native species are protected 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 of our rules and regulations are interwoven with the basic requirement that those who come here walk lightly, with deep respect.
Arc trails are backcountry 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 stepping over 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are welcome at Fort Hill and Serpent Mound. To minimize impact, please do not bring your dog to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Appalachian Forest Museum, or any of the other Arc trail systems.
Do you allow hunting and fishing? No. 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 as a non-profit in the conservation field. Ensuring protection of our natural landscape requires a multitude of strategies. Nature preserves, both public and private, are the make up the smallest acreage of all conservation lands. 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.
Do you allow picking of mushrooms, ginseng, flowers, etc? No. Please read the above section on hunting and fishing to understand why we have chosen not to allow visitors to gather plants from our preserves.
Do you allow groups? Sure! Organized groups do not need to call ahead, but if you have more than 20 people, a call is appreciated, 937-365-1935. Because of our steep cliffs, we ask that every four to five children have an assigned adult guardian with whom they stay in close proximity at all times. Sorry, there are no discount group rates at this time.
Can my group hire a nature guide? At this time, our small staff is unable to provide nature guides to hike with groups. However, a short orientation can usually be provided to groups at our visitor centers if arrangements are made ahead of time.
Do you have any special programs for children? At this time, our children's education curriculum is still under development.
I'm a lodging guest. Do I need to register for a hiking pass? No, lodging guests are automatically registered when they book their reservation. Lodging guests also have their admission covered for the Appalachian Forest Museum and associated trail system. Parking at Serpent Mound is not included.
I'm a member. Do I need to register for a hiking pass? No. Members receive orientation materials and a parking decal when they join, and so may hike daily, from dawn-dusk, without registering or checking in.
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. 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.
Where is the best place for birding? 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, accessible from the Taloden trailhead.
Can I photograph off trail? We encourage nature photography in our preserve system but do request that photographers remain on the trail. Thank you for your understanding.