Everything you need to know before you hike:

You are entering a highly protected nature preserve. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGGING, DISTURBING, OR COLLECTING IS PERMITTED on this important archaeological site. Regulations also exist to protect natural communities from the impact of public visitors. Please follow these regulations to leave Spruce Hill as beautiful as you found it.  Remain on the trail at all times, walking in single file to protect bulbs of native wildflowers bordering the trail. Do not disturb, pick, or collect flowers, plants, rocks, or wildlife. Hunting, caving, fishing, trail biking, rock climbing, wading, campfires, and swimming are prohibited. Click here for a list of full regulations.

Dogs are permitted at Spruce Hill. A dog owner’s guide to hiking Arc Trails.

Address: 576 Spruce Hill Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Directions:  Spruce Hill is approximately  32 miles east of Hillsboro, 12 miles west of Chillicothe off US-50, and 2.8 miles east of Bourneville on US-50. From US-50 turn south on Blain Highway and proceed for 1.1 miles. Turn right on Black Run Road. After .7 miles Black Run Road turns into Spruce Hill Road. Continue on Spruce Hill Road. After .4 mile Spruce Hill Road makes a sharp left; continue on Spruce Hill Road for another .2 mile. A mowed parking lot will be on your right.

Interpretive Kiosk:  An interpretive kiosk is not yet posted at the preserve trailhead. 

Spruce Hill hiking trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Please note parking lots are not winter-maintained and the trails are not safe to hike during periods of heavy rain, ice, and snow. Trails are closed during our annual Deer Management Hunt which takes place on the 1) Monday through Sunday following Thanksgiving, and 2)  Saturday and Sunday before Christmas.

Hiking Trails’ Difficulty - moderately difficult. The farm lane is relatively long with a gradual but uninterrupted ascent to the top. The lane is uneven and rutted in places. It is easy to get winded on the way up.

Spruce Hill’s Trail:

Spruce Hill Farm Lane - 1.5 miles roundtrip - Spruce Hill is not yet developed with a formal Arc of Appalachian trail system but the pre-existing farm lane provides simple and primitive access to the preserve. The old farm lane is easy to find and begins off the parking lot from where it makes a slow and long ascent to the ridgetop, ending at the edge of a large meadow. You will return to the parking lot by the same route.