Yellow Springs Hiking - 2023 Beautiful Ohio Hiking

Yellow Springs is located just west of central Ohio. Yellow Springs Hiking is popular for all ages and skill levels.

Visit Yellow Springs Hiking Area

Yellow Spring is a village located in Green County, Ohio. The total population of Yellow Springs Village is under 5000. The village had previously been occupied by the Shawnee Native Americans. It takes its name from a nearby natural spring with waters rich in iron which leaves a yellowish coloring on the rocks. 

Yellow Springs Ohio is coined as “Everyone’s Favorite Place” and we can see why! When it comes to Yellow Springs Hiking, you have several options! When it comes to Yellow Springs Hiking, we are going to divide this article into four sections. You can quickly access each of the Yellow Springs Hiking sections by clicking on the words below:

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve | Glen Helen Nature Preserve | John Bryan State Park | Greene County Parks and Trails 

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve - Yellow Springs Hiking

When it comes to  Yellow Springs Hiking, Clifton Gorge State Nature Reserve is very popular. Clifton Gorge is a 268 acre preserve that works to protect the local dolomite and limestone gorges. These gores are spectacular and encompass a 2 mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River. 

There are 3 miles of Yellow Springs Hiking at Clifton Gorge. You can trek the Gorge Trail for 1 mile, the Narrows Trail for 0.5 mile, the Orton Trail for 0.5 mile and the Rim Trail for 1 mile. The park opens one half hour before sunrise and closes one half hour after sunset. Pets are not permitted and remember to stay on the designated trail at all times. 

If you want to visit Clifton Gorge for some Yellow Springs Hiking, be sure to check here for park updates and directions. 

Glen Helen Nature Preserve - Yellow Springs Hiking

Glen Helen Nature Preserve is another great place for Yellow Springs Hiking. Glen Helen is the legacy of Hugh Taylor Birch who in 1929 donated the wooded glen to Antioch College in memory of his daughter. The preserve is over 1125 acres and is accessible by a network of footpaths. This area is perfect if you are heading to the area for Yellow Springs Hiking.

Glen Helen Multi-Trail Loop - Yellow Springs Hiking

The Glen Helen Multi-trail loop is a heavily trafficked loop that is considered a moderate hike. This loop features a waterfall. The trail is used mostly for hiking and walking and consists of gravel and blazed paths as well as stream crossings and views of cascades. Many hikers report that the trail is not marked well, be sure to print a map or save it to your phone before you head out. This trail is pet friendly, but be sure to keep your pup on a leash. 

Glen Helen, Little Miami and Clifton Gorge - Yellow Springs Hiking

The Glen Helen, Little Miami and Clifton Gorge is a 11.6 mile loop that is moderately trafficked. It features a waterfall and is great for hiking March through October. Other hikers have indicated coming to the trails to create this one is perfect for a frozen hike. Just make sure you are wearing good hiking boots.

Glen Helen Pine Forest Loop - Yellow Springs Hiking

The Glen Helen Pine Forest Loop is a trail that is pretty well known for the beautiful wild flowers! This makes it a perfect Yellow Springs Hiking Trail for flower lovers!

Glen Helen Inman Trail - Yellow Springs Hiking

Trails are open from dawn to dusk and you can explore over 20+ miles of Yellow Springs Hiking at Glen Helen.  There is a parking fee of $5 a car of $2 a person for group visits. For the Glen Helen Trail Map, visit here.

John Bryan State Park - Yellow Springs Hiking

When it comes to Yellow Springs Hiking, John Bryan State Park is a must visit in the area.  It is a 752 acre park.Ten trails provide beautiful options for Yellow Springs Hiking. Some of the yellow springs hiking in this park do have wheelchair accessibility. 

In addition to traditional trails for Yellow Springs Hiking, they also feature a storybook trail at this site. This is great fun for young children! It makes for an interesting walk or “hike”. Besides hiking, there is also rock climbing, rappelling and fishing in this park. 

Arboretum Trail at John Bryan State Park - Yellow Springs Hiking

The  Arboretum Trail  is a 1.1 mile long trail which is perfect for beginner hikers who want a taste of Yellow Springs HIking or just want a quick walk. This trail is a moderately hiked trail perfect for all skill levels. Others have noted that biking trails cross and run along parts of this trail, so keep your eye out for bikers who need to pass on the trail. 

Orton Memorial Monument at John Bryan State Park - Yellow Springs Hiking

The Orton Memorial Monument trail is just over 2 miles in length and is considered a moderately trafficked trail for all skill levels. It features a river and is great for hiking, walking, ruming and to view nature. Pets are NOT allowed on this trail.

South Gorge Trail and North Rim Trail Loop at John Bryan State Park - Yellow Springs Hiking

This loop comes in at 3.1 miles in length and is considered a moderately trafficked trail, which is pretty common for Yellow Springs Hiking trails. The hike itself is also rated as moderate. It is great for hiking and viewing nature. Other hikers have shared that the trail can get very muddy, so plan ahead. 

Greene County Parks and Trails - Yellow Springs Hiking

More Yellow Springs Hiking is available on the Greene County Trails. This area is a little further out from Yellow Springs and closer to Xenia but still considered in the area for Yellow Springs Hiking. There are five main trails.

The Creekside Trail which is 11.7 miles in length. The Wright Brothers-Huffman Prairie Bikeway which is 4.6 miles in length. Also there is the Ohio to Erie Trail which is 14 miles in length. The Little Miami Scenic Trail which is 15.9 miles in length and the Xenia-Jamestown Connector which is 15.5 miles in length. 

Little Miami Scenic Trail - Yellow Springs Hiking

The Little Miami Scenic Trail, which is considered Yellow Springs Hiking, was mentioned earlier in our article under the Greene County Trails. This Yellow Springs Hiking trail is almost 16 miles in length around the Yellow Springs area but is over 70 miles in length total. It is perfect for walking, biking or rollerblading. The trail is paved, in fact, it is part of the nation’s longest network of paved, off street trails. 

Let's go!  Yellow Springs Hiking!

When it comes to hiking at Yellow Springs Ohio, you have some great options. We certainly recommend you check out all of the above. There are more trails than you could hike in a weekend! So bookmark this page, for your return trip for some more Yellow Springs Hiking. And don't forget to pack a snack for the trails, we love to bring along Bliss Balls.

Have you gone hiking at Yellow Springs? We would like to know where you hiked! Drop us a comment below and let us know!

If you love to hike and are in the central Ohio area, check out the Metro parks. We love heading to the metro parks like Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Scioto Grove Metro Park, Three Creeks Metro Park, Rocky Fork Metro Park, Blendon Woods and more!