Southwest Ohio: A Hiking Odyssey
Evening sunshine at Glen Helen Nature Preserve
As we venture further into the fall months, we eagerly wanted to bring you a series highlighting the abundance of exciting year-round nature opportunities that our state presents. Whether that’s in the form of breathtaking scenic views, or indulging in and learning from the various landscapes such as grasslands, forests and woods, lakes and ponds, craggy environments and even marshes, is really up to you. Follow along with us as we guide you through some of the best spots in Southwest Ohio, all being relatively close to the city of Dayton.
Diverting briefly for the sake of contextual purposes, The United States is divided into ecoregions, highlighting major ecological areas and providing the encompassing backdrop to the diverse ecological makeup of the continent, putting it in context at global or intercontinental scales.
Across the United States are:
15 broad, Level I ecological regions; (some examples are the ‘Tundra,’ ‘Taiga,’ and ‘Great Plains.’)
50 Level II ecological regions that are intended to provide a more detailed description of the large ecological areas nested within the Level I regions; and (some examples being the ‘Everglades,’ ‘Central USA Plains,’ and the ‘Alaskan Tundra.’)
182 Level III ecoregions, which are smaller ecological areas nested within Level II regions, providing yet again another opportunity to add additional descriptive elements. (‘Blue Ridge,’ ‘North Central Appalachians,’ and the ‘Baja California Desert’ for example purposes.)
For a complete breakdown of North America’s ecoregions, visit https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions-north-america
To offer further emphasis on the bio/ecological diversity of specifically Ohio, which falls within the Eastern Temperate Forests Ecoregion Level I, I’ve included a brief explanation of the various Level II and Level III ecoregions that are also represented in our state and where they can be experienced.
Here’s a breakdown of the various levels of ecoregions represented in Ohio:
Level II Ecoregions
Mixed Wood Plains (Northeast and Central Ohio)
Central USA Plains (West and Central Ohio)
Ozark, Ouachita-Appalachian Forests (Southeast and Central Ohio)
Level III Ecoregions
Lake Erie Lowland (Extreme North Central Ohio)
Erie Drift Plain (Northeast and Central Ohio)
Huron/Lake Erie Plains (Northeast Ohio)
Eastern Corn Belt Plains (Western and Central Ohio)
Western Allegheny Plateau (Southeast Ohio)
Interior Plateau (Southwest Ohio)
As you can see, there’s a wide variety of ecological and geographical regions within this state!
Magnifying on Southwest Ohio for this series, it is considered the Central USA Plains Ecoregion Level II and Level III Ecoregion Interior Plateau, we can provide insight into the actual ecological and geographical nature of the area based on these Ecoregions defining characteristics. Southwest Ohio is one of the most significant natural areas in the Midwest region, with a varied mix of hillside prairies, forests, and ravines.
According to the Ohio DNR, an abundance of wildlife in the form of both flora and fauna, with over 2,300 species of vascular plants and 56 species of mammals, 200 species of breeding birds, 84 species and subspecies of amphibians and reptiles, 170 species of fish, 70 species of mollusks, and 20 species of crustaceans, also call the Buckeye State home.
Now that I’ve provided a description of the Southwest Ohio region and defined some of the typical characteristics of the area’s natural resource gifts, I’m ready to highlight some key spots to visit the next time you have a longing for the outdoors and all that it has to offer. This year we have taken on the responsibility of comprising a list of these magical locales.
Follow along as we to take you through some of the most scenic and serene nature spots in Southwest Ohio. This series will feature the history of 17 different sites, complete with photos and additional information for helping you find your next adventure. Today we will be bringing you information on Indian Mound Reserve, Englewood Metropark, Aullwood Garden Metropark, Glen Helen Nature Preserve and Raptor Center, and John Bryan State Park.
Indian Mound Reserve
Serene waterfall at Indian Mound Reserve
Starting us off is Indian Mound Reserve, located outside of Cedarville, OH (Greene County). This beautiful reserve is a perfect stop to explore history, take in the breathtaking Cedar Cliff Falls, adventure into wooded wonders, or bask in the sounds and visuals of flowing water, creekside. Indian Mound Reserve is known for its namesake, a mound thought to be constructed by the Adena peoples, and picturesque their waterfall which is visible just mere steps from the parking lot. As part of the sprawling 169 acre trail network, there is also a pre-1825 restored log house to behold. As you venture over the weathered metal bridge and deeper into the reserve, you’re met with diverting paths that are shrouded by many large, old-growth trees. At the northwestern edge of the reserve, which is accessible by the Mound Trail, Gorge Trail, or Rim Trail, each offering its unique perspective of the sprawling reserve, awaits the Williamson Mound constructed by early members of the Adena culture. The Adena constructed multi-purpose mounds utilized for both ceremonial burials and lookout positions. The Williamson Mound is 30 feet high and 140 feet in diameter. The Mound was named after David S. Williamson, who donated the land in 1929 to the Ohio State Historical Society.The Adena were renowned for their agricultural practices, pottery, artistic works, and their well established trading network which allowed them to work with a diverse variety of raw materials including copper and shells. The Indian Mound Reserve is a worthy start to our list. We enjoyed basking in the glory of the Cedar Cliff Falls and the wide assortment of scenery that we experienced as we journeyed further along the paths. Along the Massies Creek are many winding paths inviting you to its waters and picturesque moments. In the summer, the creek is a popular swimming destination.
Englewood Metropark
Charming trail at Englewood Metropark
Next on our list is Englewood Metropark where you can waterfall chase, picnic in the park, hike for miles, or relax on a swing and watch the water. This park encompasses an astounding 1900 acres of forests and wetlands with three waterfalls: Martinsdale Falls, Patty Falls, and Oaks Falls. All three waterfalls can be found on the Green Trail, a 3.8 mile loop. From an efficiency standpoint, the optimal waterfall viewing route is to hike the entire trail, which begins on the trailhead off of Patty Road. Traversing the trail in a counter-clockwise direction, you’ll head up the road before turning right into the woods. Just a short time after you reach the wooded area, you’ll first come across Oak Falls. Besides the waterfalls, the park offers ample opportunities for bird watching in the form of the Benedict Blincoe Wildlife Observation area, a unique woodland area in the form of a remnant swamp forest, and the Blue Heron Disc Golf Course for those seeking sporting activities. We spent our day at Englewood Metropark hiking the trails with our daughter (1 yr old) and my younger brother (10 yr old). The hiking wasn’t strenuous to them and they thoroughly enjoyed the bird watching opportunities. We enjoyed seeing many cranes, egrets, and herons. Depending on when you visit, many birds use this spot as a stop-over during their migrational flights. Englewood Dam is found just to the side of the park, a longstanding remnant of the Old National Road, now known as the U.S. Route 40. The National Road was the first major improved highway in the United States built by the federal government. Built between 1811 and 1837, the 620-mile road connected the Potomac and Ohio Rivers and was a main transport path to the West Coast for thousands of settlers.
Aullwood Garden Metropark
River basking with Julian at Aullwood Garden
Literally just across the dam from Englewood Metropark, Aullwood Garden remains one of my personal favorites on this list. As the name proclaims, Aullwood Garden is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna! There’s casual, low intensity hiking trails running parallel to the river, complimented by whimsical and bountiful picnic opportunities in what is essentially one sprawling garden spread across varied terrain. Take your time to enjoy all sections of the park, as all of the zones from the wildflower fields to the old growth forest have a different vibe to offer. We’ve spent several afternoons exploring this bountiful haven, and just recently spent a few serene hours of our anniversary taking in the sights and sounds of the wildflower fields from the hammock we had positioned in the shade just at the edge of the area. For much of our time there, it was easy to feel as if the park were our private gardens. The seclusion paired with the calming sensory attributes of nature are a welcome diversion from some of the busier options on this list. Interestingly enough, the park is also home to multiple large and significant trees, including “Marie’s Sycamore,” a 600 year-old twin sycamore that was alive when Christopher Columbus discovered what would become America in 1492. Marie and John Aull worked hard to plant and maintain the original gardens on land that was their private residence until it was donated to the park district in 1977.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve and Raptor Center
The Yellow Spring at Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Just minutes from downtown eccentric Yellow Springs, OH (one of our favorite places, anywhere) you will find the Glen Helen Nature Preserve and Raptor Center. The Glen is the largest and most visited private nature preserve in the Miami Valley. It features miles of footpaths covering an area of a hefty 1,125 acres and natural landmarks such as The Grotto, The Cascades waterfall, a Hopewell Indian Mound, Pompey’s Pillar, and the namesake for nearby Yellow Springs, The Yellow Spring. The Yellow Spring is a natural spring with high iron content, once thought to have medicinal benefits to all those who drank directly from the source. In the mid 19th century the spring was the epicenter for a resort, and many people visited the area hoping to have their physical and mental ailments resolved by the waters of the spring. This was the first residential environmental learning facility in the Midwest, and Ohio’s original facility for education and rehabilitation of birds of prey call the preserve home. We always make an attempt to catch an educational demonstration at the Raptor Center - the staff regularly undergoes training regimens with the facility’s various raptors, helping to bring them back to full strength or for the sake of providing them with enrichment. The knowledgeable staff invites questions about the various raptors, their traits, eating habits, lifespan, and more. The Cascades, The Grotto, and The Yellow Spring are of course additional highlights, and also a necessity for each visit to The Glen. The trails are well-maintained and accessible, regardless of the season.
John Bryan State Park
Tejah and Embur forest bathing at John Bryan State Park
Also located mere minutes from downtown Yellow Springs, OH and Glen Helen Nature Preserve, you will find John Bryan State Park. Named for John Bryan, who was responsible for the preservation of much of the area as a state preserve. All the way back in 1896, Bryan purchased 335 acres along the gorge and called these acres, "Riverside Farm." As someone with great respect for the natural world, he bequeathed Riverside Farm to the state of Ohio, in 1918 "...to be cultivated by the state as a forestry, botanic and wildlife reserve park and experiment station," which would bear his name. In May of 1925, John Bryan's land would become one of the state's first forest parks. Later in 1949, John Bryan State Park was transferred to the newly created Ohio DNR Division of Parks and Recreation. The presiding landmark of the 752-acre park being Clifton Gorge, a deep cut of the Little Miami River between Yellow Springs and Clifton that has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. You can find ten different hiking trails, including the well-visited Storybrook Trail, a public rock climbing and rappelling area, a paddle craft launch for kayaks and canoes, and miles of mountain bike trails. John Bryan State Park is one of the few sites on this list that features a number of reservable camping sites. Our time was spent hiking the gorge trails along the river. Our most recent excursion here was November of 2022, when Embur was 8 months old and still spent most of the hike in the sling! The falling leaves made way for breathtaking views of the gorge and a heart full of peace.
We wanted to start the journey with some of our favorites, however, the trails and sites to come hold their own whimsical wonder and splendor. The team at Beseckrian Bizaar wanted to bring you a list covering a wide variety of environments. Look out for our additional reviews of nature sites across Southwest Ohio in the next post of this series. Thank you for being our trail buddy! After visiting these nature sanctuaries, please share your experiences with us on our Instagram and Facebook.
We are Julian & Tejah Besecker
We’ve sown a sacred space for growth, separately and together, focusing on rising into our divine femininity and masculinity. While working to overcome the traumas we endured at young ages, we immersed ourselves in nature, discovering how the elements can assist in our mending. We postured our minds to healing through multiple forms of meditation, worked to integrate our shadows, and found new lifestyle habits that have led us to become the people that we are today; open hearted with a drive to spew love and the wisdom we have learned along the way. With bliss and health, we are stepping forward authentically into this space to share what has worked for us, in hopes of providing you and the souls around us with the same level of healing and rejuvenation.