Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve
Adams County, Ohio · 2 trail miles in ODNR's guide
Our take written by Nature Awed
Chaparral Prairie is a 130-acre post oak opening in Adams County, with post and blackjack oaks scattered through prairie of little bluestem, prairie dock and spiked blazing-star.
ODNR describes an extensive population of rattlesnake-master and summer wildflowers busy with butterflies and moths, among them Edward's and Olive hairstreaks. Four named trails add up to over 2 miles, and the guide marks part of the trail system accessible.
Our plain-language reading of the ODNR text quoted on this page. It adds no facts of its own.
Verify current visiting hours and access restrictions with ODNR's page for this preserve and ODNR's permit page before relying on this summary.
What ODNR says about it
The 130-acre Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve is an outstanding example of a globally rare, post oak opening habitat. Post and blackjack oaks are scattered throughout the preserve. This rare habitat supports dozens of rare species including the most extensive population of rattlesnake-master in the state.
Prairie plants such as prairie dock and spiked blazing-star, are also unusually abundant at this site. Other rare plants include spider milkweed, prairie false indigo, pink milkwort and bluehearts. Little bluestem is the dominant prairie grass. With the abundance of summer wildflowers, Chaparral Prairie is loaded with butterflies and moths. Several rare species, such as Edward's hairstreak, Olive hairstreak and Unexpected Cycnia moth, have been observed in the preserve.
In 2015, the non-profit conservation organization, Arc of Appalachia partnered with the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves in purchasing 60 acres.
Visiting
Open 1/2 before sunrise, 1/2 after sunset
Stay on designated trails at all times
Pets are not permitted
No public restrooms
Verify current visiting hours and access restrictions with ODNR's page before relying on these hours.
Trails
Over 2 miles of hiking trails:
Bald Hill Trail - 0.7 mile
Cedar Barren Trail - 0.6 mile
Hawk Hill Trail - 0.7 mile
Prairie View Trail - 0.2 mile
In ODNR's preserve guide
| Address | 209 Hawk Hill Rd, West Union, 45693 |
|---|---|
| Trails (miles) | 2 (marked ~: A portion of the trail system is accessible.) |
| Visitor information | none printed |
Chaparral Prairie Adams 209 Hawk Hill Rd West Union, 45693 2~
Access permit
Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve is not on ODNR's list of preserves that require an access permit, and its ODNR page as quoted here doesn't call for one. ODNR also says: An access permit is required to leave trails within a state nature preserve.
(ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit).
The land on ODNR's map
| LANDS_NAME | COUNTY | PROP_TYPE | SUM_CALC_ACRES | MANAGING_AGENCY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve | ADAMS | Dedicated Nature Preserve | 60.09 | Division of Natural Areas and Preserves |
| Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve | ADAMS | Dedicated Nature Preserve | 69.82 | Division of Natural Areas and Preserves |
| Mapped acres | 129.91 (our sum of the parcels ODNR's GIS layer maps under this name) |
|---|---|
| Access permit | No whole-preserve permit requirement identified in the sources we check; named-area or activity permits may still apply |
| Centre of mapped land | 38.8372, -83.5754 (our calculation; not an entrance or parking lot) |
Statewide rules
Ohio Administrative Code chapter 1501:17 sets rules for nature preserves and natural areas under ODNR's supervision or its designated custodian, on pets, drones, picnics, collecting and more. Can I…? quotes them rule by rule, with their exceptions.
Pets are prohibited at all state nature preserves, except Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve where leashed pets are only allowed on the multipurpose paved trail.
Check before you go. Verify current hours, access and trail information on ODNR: Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve and ODNR: State Nature Preserves Access Permit; our checker last found the quoted words there on October 14.
Nearest other preserves
Straight-line miles between the centres of mapped land (our calculation), not driving distance.
- Johnson Ridge State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 2.7 miles
- Adams Lake Prairie State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 3.1 miles
- Whipple State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 9.4 miles
- Ka Ma Ma Prairie State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 9.9 miles
- Plum Run Prairie State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 13 miles