Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Greene County, Ohio · 3 trail miles in ODNR's guide
Our take written by Nature Awed
Clifton Gorge in Greene County covers a 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, a dolomite and limestone gorge where the river funnels through a narrow channel apparently formed by enlarging and connecting potholes.
Cool north-facing slopes hold hemlock, Canada yew, arbor vitae and mountain maple, and ODNR names snow trillium among the spring wildflowers. Four named trails total 3 miles, and an exploration center opens Friday to Sunday from April to October.
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
This 268-acre preserve protects one of the most spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges in the state. Registered as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, Clifton Gorge encompasses a 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, just east of John Bryan State Park.
Geologically, it is an outstanding example of interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting. At one point, the river funnels through a deep, narrow channel, which was apparently formed by the enlarging and connecting of a series of potholes in the resistant Silurian dolomite bedrock. In other sections of the gorge, cliff overhangs have broken off forming massive slump blocks scattered along the valley floor.
The shaded, north-facing slopes provide a cool, moist environment for northern species including hemlock, red baneberry, Canada yew, arbor vitae and mountain maple. This is one of the most spectacular sites in the state for viewing spring wildflowers including the rare snow trillium.
Visiting
Open 1/2 hour before sunrise, 1/2 hour after sunset
Stay on designated trail at all times
Pets are not permitted
The New Exploration Center is open April-October. Hours: Friday-Sunday 10am-4pm
Verify current visiting hours and access restrictions with ODNR's page before relying on these hours.
Trails
3 miles of hiking trails:
Gorge Trail - 1 mile
Narrows Trail - 0.5 mile
Orton Trail - 0.5 mile
Rim Trail - 1 mile
In ODNR's preserve guide
| Address | 2381 State Rte 343, Yellow Springs, 45387 |
|---|---|
| Trails (miles) | 3 (marked ~: A portion of the trail system is accessible.) |
| Visitor information | Nature Center, open Fri.-Sun., April-October • Adjacent to John Bryan State Park |
Clifton Gorge Greene 2381 State Rte 343 Yellow Springs, 45387 3~ Nature Center, open Fri.-Sun., April-October • Adjacent to John Bryan State Park
Verify current visiting hours and access with ODNR's page before relying on these guide hours.
Access permit
Clifton Gorge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve | GREENE | Dedicated Nature Preserve | 238.27 | Division of Natural Areas and Preserves |
| Mapped acres | 238.27 (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 | 39.7937, -83.8351 (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: Clifton Gorge 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.
- Gallagher Springfield Fen State Nature Preserve · Clark County · about 12 miles
- Crabill Fen Non-Dedicated Natural Area · Clark County · about 12 miles · permit
- Zimmerman Prairie State Natural Area · Greene County · about 13 miles
- Travertine Fen State Nature Preserve · Greene County · about 15 miles
- Prairie Road Fen Non-Dedicated Natural Area · Clark County · about 15 miles · permit