Everything you need to know before you hike:

For more visitor information, please visit the Division’s website. 

For deeper information, we highly recommend the informative blogs developed by Footpathsblog that dig deeply into the preserve’s natural history and include excellent photos: 2021 visit, 2022 visit, 2023 visit. 

When to Visit. The highest variety of prairie flowers can be seen during the first three weeks of August. To catch Chaparral Prairie’s signature floral showcase, however, plan your visit in the very first days of August to witness the outstanding seasonal spectacle of dense blazing stars (Liatris spicata) in bloom. We suggest bringing a pair of closer-focusing binoculars and a butterfly guide.

You are Entering a Highly Protected Nature Preserve. Regulations exist to protect natural communities from the impact of public visitors. By following them, you can leave Chaparral Prairie as beautiful as you found it.  Remain on trails 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. 

Directions: 209 Hawk Hill Rd, West Union, OH 45693
From West Union, Ohio, the county seat of Adams County, turn north on State Route 247 North. (If coming south on SR 42, the turnoff will be past the courthouse.)  7/10 of a mile later, turn left off SR 247 onto Chaparral Road. 2.8 miles later Chaparral Road makes a 90 degree turn. Keep straight, which will put you on Hawk Hill Road. Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve will soon be on your left and is well marked. If you see Cave Hill Road on your left, you have gone too far.

Interpretive Kiosk:  An interpretive kiosk is located at the trailhead. We encourage you to take a picture of the trail map with your phone before heading out on the trails. 

Chaparral Prairie hiking trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

Chaparral Prairie’s Four Hiking Trails:

Hawk Hill Trail 0.7 mile loop, the Cedar Barrens Trail 0.5 mile loop, the Bald Hill 0.7 mile loop, and the Prairie View 0.1 mile loop off of the Cedar Barrens Trail.

A beautifully constructed new footbridge fording the small creek at the entrance to the Cedar Barrens Loop was built by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and funded by the Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society. For more visitor information, please visit the Division’s website.