The John Knouse Trail, built in honor of Athens Conservancy’s founder, is now complete and open for people to explore! The 2-mile, mostly forested trail crosses Canaan Preserve and forms a critical new trail link.
It connects separate trail system of Strouds Run State Park and Baker Preserve, and makes it possible to hike from Sells Park to SR-690 near Canaanville (9 miles by trail) without crossing a road. From the trail’s western end on Lake Hill Road, the scenic John Knouse Trail descends steadily, but not steeply, to a small stream, climbs past a scenic rock shelter to a ridge, crosses two grassy service roads, and continues on relatively level terrain to its eastern end on Liar’s Ridge Trail in Baker Preserve.
The trail is open for hikers and nature enthusiasts now, and is designed for pedestrian use only; bicycles and horses are not permitted.
A grand opening celebration is planned for the afternoon of Saturday, June 11. More details to follow.
The John Knouse Trail is an effort of Athens Conservancy and Buckeye Trail Association, and is made possible with grants from the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund and Ohio Health, generous donations, and the hard work of many volunteers.
John Knouse was a founding member of Athens Conservancy, 20 years ago. He envisioned a land trust that would raise funds to establish nature preserves in the area, and he reached out to others to join him. He also one of the founding members of Friends of Strouds Run State Park. Self-trained in GIS, he prepared hundreds of detailed maps for both organizations. He died in early 2021.
Finding the Trail
To access the western end of the trail and the parking area (“P” on map): From Athens, take Strouds Run Road into the state park 
and continue past the campgrounds and beach turnoffs. About a mile farther up a steep hill, there is a fork in the road. Turn right and follow Scatter Ridge Road 1.7 miles to the junction with Lake Hill Road, where there is a sign that says Horseman’s Area. Turn right and follow Lake Hill Road 0.5 mile to a parking area* on the right. From there, continue south on the road by foot another 0.2 mile and look for a trailhead sign on the left. It’s about 500 feet beyond a vehicle-exclusion gate. (*Please note, the parking lot is also used for horse trailers, so cars should try to park leaving room for them.)
The trail is also accessible at its eastern end and can be found by walking the Liar’s Ridge Trail loop through Baker Preserve. You can walk either direction from the Baker parking lot (on SR-690), but the distance to John Knouse Trail is slightly shorter if you walk the loop clockwise.
The John Knouse Trail is marked with white blazes. NOTE: a larger trail map is available here.