Yes, dogs are allowed, but must be leashed and remain on the trail at all times. Leashes may be no longer than 6ft. No animals, wild or domestic, may be released in Glen Helen. Please help keep the Glen clean by picking up any waste left by your pet.

No, we are working to restore handicap access to the Yellow Spring. Until then, there are no wheelchair accessible trails at Glen Helen. The Vernet Ecological Center and Nature Shop within it are accessible by wheelchair by following the paved walkway located off the left, rear corner of our Corry Street parking lot.

We strongly suggest visitors refrain from drinking water from the historic Yellow Spring or any other water feature within the Glen. Though we make every effort to protect this land and the natural springs and waterways within the preserve, please remember that we are surrounded by commercial farms and private properties. Creeks, rivers, and groundwater contain contaminants from these offsite locations. Consumption and/or contact with waters within the Glen may pose a risk to your health.

Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. When hiking in the evening, please allow an appropriate amount of time to exit the forest before sundown.

Yes! Please visit our Group Visits page for more information.

For available guided hikes, please check out our program calendar!. All other visits are self-guided.

No. Glen Helen is a nonprofit organization supported by our members, donors, and our visitors’ parking fees. These contributions allow us to maintain our trails and conduct our educational programs.

Yes, visitors may bring water and carry-and-eat snacks. Please help keep the Glen clean by carrying out all trash and disposing of it properly. Trash and recycling cans are available in our buildings and parking lots.

For detailed information, check out the Raptor Center Visit page! Visitors can park in the Cascades Parking Lot at 1075 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, OH and take a short walk to the Raptor Center. Limited parking is also available directly adjacent to the Raptor Center for those with limited mobility. Please note that parking at the Raptor Center is reserved for Raptor Center visitors only. Please use the Cascades Parking Lot or Steps Parking Lot to park for your hike.

The Outdoor Education Center is closed to the public. For the safety of our students and staff, visitor parking is not permitted in this area. Instructions for Ecocamp pickup and dropoff are provided via email after registration is complete. Please visit the Outdoor Education Center’s pages for information on their programming.

During a short walk, visitors can view spectacular wildflowers, 400 year-old trees, limestone cliffs with waterfalls and overhangs, a beaver dam, and the beautiful Yellow Spring for which the town is named.

Due to our topography, all hikes at Glen Helen are considered moderate intensity. 

Our trails are predominantly natural packed earth and may become muddy in certain seasons.  While we make every effort to keep trails clear from obstructions, please know that the preserve is maintained as naturally as possible and when not problematic, dead trees are left to replenish the soil for future plants.

When planning your hike, take note of the map's contour lines: The closer the spacing, the steeper the slope. 

Our visitors are encouraged to explore our 15+ miles of trails in whatever order they would like, but we have a recommended trail first time visitors might consider trying.

The Inman Trail Indicated by the red, dashed line on our trail map, visitors hiking this approximately 1.5 mile loop will be able to see the waterfall over Birch Creek (The Cascades), The Yellow Spring, the beaver dam, and more! This trail does begin and end with a set of limestone stairs that cover a significant elevation change. Hikers looking for a gentler beginning and end to this loop can head North on Talus Trail towards trail intersection 3, before switching back and crossing The Old Dam Bridge and beginning The Inman Loop at trail intersection 15. If you take this route, don’t forget to visit the beaver dam by heading towards the creek and beaver pond at trail intersection 14!