Bluebell Preserve includes 230 acres of land bordering the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway as well as the Wayne National Forest, providing part of a continuous 2.5-mile protected corridor for the bikeway. 64.9 acres was donated to the Athens Conservancy by American Electric Power (AEP) in 2006, consisting of two separate sections. In 2018, the Conservancy acquired another 165.57 acres from Ohio Franklin Realty, the real estate arm of AEP, bridging the two sections, using Clean Ohio Green Space grant money.
The preserve features spectacular spring wildflower displays; which are generally at their peak in mid-April and are easily enjoyed from the bikeway. The masses of trilliums, Virginia bluebells, and blue-eyed Mary are particularly beautiful in the southeast area, but there is a greater diversity of wildflowers in the northwest area. The preserve also protects the lowermost section of Hamley Run before it empties into the Hocking River as well as two small tributary watersheds.
Hunting is allowed on the preserve by permission but is restricted to bow hunting for deer.
To get to the Bluebell Preserve from Athens, take US-33 6.5 miles northwest from the US-50 junction to the SR-682 (N. Plains Rd.) exit. Turn right on SR-682 and go 0.4 mile to the first cross road. Turn left and go 0.2 mile to a parking area on the right, serving the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway (which is at about mile 10.2 on the bikeway; there are markers every half mile). Walk west on the bikeway 1.3 miles to reach the preserve. The preserve extends from this point, about mile 11.5, to about mile 12.8. We do not recommend parking for an extended period of time along Hamley Run Road, the gravel road that parallels the bikeway, because of possible theft problems. The northwest section can be more easily accessed by parking where Glen Ebon Road (County Road 4) crosses the bikeway and walking southeast on the bikeway about 0.5 mile.
Use iNaturalist to help document plants, mushrooms, insects, birds, mammals, and more in the Bluebell Preserve.
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A few notes for visitors: Check listings for bus services from Columbus to Athens (such as Go Bus). Bluebell Preserve is easily seen by bike from the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway through the shady forest of the preserve (mile markers 11.5 to 13.0). The bike trail also can take riders to Nelsonville’s Historic Square Art District and to Chauncey (1.2 miles from the bikeway on SR-682) and the Baileys Trail System.
Volunteer Preserve Steward: Rick Perkins
