Miller Nature Sanctuary State Nature Preserve
Highland County, Ohio · 3 trail miles in ODNR's guide
Our take written by Nature Awed
Miller Nature Sanctuary in Highland County covers 85.8 acres of calcareous cliff, hardwood forest and old field, with natural arches and waterfalls in its gorge.
The gorge portion was a gift from Eugene and Henrietta Miller, and the remaining portion was later purchased from them. ODNR's page names four trails, the Arch, Connector, Falls and Tuliptree trails, and its description counts over two miles of hiking trails, while the guide prints 3 miles. There are no restrooms.
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 gorge portion of this preserve (24.7 acres) was first dedicated in 1982 as a gift from its owners, Eugene and Henrietta Miller. In 1986, the remaining portion of the property (61.1 acres), consisting of forest and abandoned farm land, was purchased from the Millers. Miller Nature Sanctuary consists of 85.8 acres of calcareous cliff community, hardwood forest and old field habitats. Also found here are unusual geological formations, such as natural arches and waterfalls. Rocky Fork Gorge contains some of the best spring wildflower areas to be found in southern Ohio. More than two miles of hiking trails are here for the visitor to explore.
Visiting
Stay on designated trails
Pets are not permitted
No restrooms
Trails
Arch Trail - 0.2 miles
Connector Trail - 0.1 miles
Falls Trail - 0.8 miles
Tuliptree Trail - 0.4 miles
In ODNR's preserve guide
| Address | 13657 Barrett Mill Rd, Bainbridge, 45612 |
|---|---|
| Trails (miles) | 3 |
| Visitor information | none printed |
Miller Nature Sanctuary Highland 13657 Barrett Mill Rd Bainbridge, 45612 3
Access permit
Miller Nature Sanctuary 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller Nature Sanctuary | HIGHLAND | Dedicated Nature Preserve | 86.86 | Division of Natural Areas and Preserves |
| Mapped acres | 86.86 (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 | 39.2065, -83.3910 (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: Miller Nature Sanctuary 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.
- Rocky Fork Gorge - Etawah Woods State Nature Preserve · Highland County · about 0.4 miles
- Fort Hill Earthworks – Brokaw Woods Component · Highland County · about 5.4 miles
- Fort Hill Earthworks State Nature Preserve · Highland County · about 6.4 miles
- Strait Creek Prairie Bluffs State Nature Preserve · Pike and Adams counties · about 10 miles · permit
- Shoemaker State Nature Preserve · Adams County · about 18 miles