Glen Helen Nature Preserve

History of Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a renowned private park in the Miami Valley.  In 1929, Hugh Taylor Birch donated the Glen to his alma mater Antioch College, in his daughter’s name, Helen Birch Bartlett.  The college has looked after Glen Helen for its first 90 years.  Glen Helen is a privately funded preserve thanks to the park’s nonprofit organization, The Glen Helen Association.  The association was formed in the park’s first year and has successfully protected the Glen from the threat of development.  In 2020, the association raised funds and reached an agreement to buy the land from Antioch College. 

Over the years, Glen Helen Nature Preserve has grown through easements secured by the Tecumseh Land Trust and today consists of 1,125 acres.  Additionally, Glen Helen is a trio of parks that form one of Ohio’s natural wonders.  Since it shares a border with John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, visitors have access to 2,100 acres and 20 miles of trails. 

Landmarks of Glen Helen Nature Preserve

  • The Yellow Springs:  The surrounding rock is full of iron which precipitates out in a small waterfall called The Yellow Springs.  The name is carried by the local village of Yellow Springs Ohio which is one of the nation’s most eclectic tourist destinations.
  • The Cascades:  As Birch Creek spills over the Cedarville Dolomites a waterfall forms called The Cascades. 
  • Talus Trail:  Climbing out of the gorge carved by Yellow Springs Creek, this trail runs along the top of the rim.  This is a favored trail in late autumn, where the evening sun illuminates the golden leaves.
  • Glen Helen Covered Bridge:  Henry Hebble built this bridge in 1886.  In 1975 the bridge was moved to Glen Helen Nature Preserve over Yellow Springs Creek. 

Glen Helen and Yellow Springs Art Prints

Whether it’s the crisp blue skies on the perfect spring or summer day, or the golden hues in the light and leaves, Glen Helen Nature Preserve is always a treat.  These fine art photography prints capture Glen Helen on those amazing days.  Several of these prints reside in healthcare facilities where the client wants to celebrate living in Greene County, Ohio.  Be sure to check out the scenes in these galleries: 

Showing 1–16 of 23 results

Ohio fine art photography capturing autumn color along the Talus Trail in Glenn Helen Nature Preserve.

Glen Helen’s Talus Trail in Golden Autumn Light No. 1

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The Yellow Springs of Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a small dependable waterfall, where on this fall day holds golden Sugar Maple leaves basking in the evening lightch the evening sun warmly illuminated, thereby creating this colorful scene.

The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Reserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio No. 5

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A side view of The Yellow Springs in Glen Helen Nature Preserve as the sugar maple leaves are filling the waterfall pool

The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Reserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio No. 4

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A fully illiminated view of the Yellow Springs in the spring evening light

The Yellow Springs In Spring, Glen Helen No. 1

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On a rain fall day yellow sugar maple trees surround The Yellow Springs in Glen Helen Nature Preserve

The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve During a Fall Evening No. 2

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On a rain fall day yellow sugar maple trees surround The Yellow Springs in Glen Helen Nature Preserve

The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve During a Fall Evening

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A rainy autumn evening over the Yellow Springs in Glen Helen Nature Preserve

The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve During a Fall Evening No. 1

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A fallen tree leads the eye towards the sugrar maple trees filtering the evening light through their yellow leaves

Sunburst over Glen Helen Reserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio

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Autumn waterfall scene in Glen Helen Nature Preserve called the Cascades

Rainy Autumn Evening at Birch Creek

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A panorama on a rainy fall day where the yellow sugar maple trees surround The Yellow Springs in Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Panorama of The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 1

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As spring trees leaf out in Glen Helen Nature Preserve a Horace Mann sculptures bask in the sun under blue skies

Horace Mann Monument

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Horace Mann Monument on a sunny spring day where the sun is rendered as a starburst

Horace Mann Monument Starburst

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A bronze plaque from the founder of Glen Helen Nature Preserve honoring his daughter Helen Birch Bartlett

Helen’s Stone, Glen Helen

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The Little Miami Scenic Trail extends past the Glen Helen Nature Preserve entrance on an early spring day.

Glen Helen Nature Preserve Entrance in Spring

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A view down a gravel road during a rainy fall evening with yellow sugar maple trees added their own colorful accents

Glen Helen Nature Preserve Road

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Wooden bridge spanning a creek as trees filter the golden light from the setting sun

Bridge Over Birch Creek, Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Early Fall No. 4

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The famous Yellow Springs waterfall basks in autumn light under a falling canopy of bright yellow Sugar Maple leaves.

Autumn Day over The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 10

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An autumn scene from Glen Helen Nature Preserve where the bright sun illuminates the park’s sugar maple leaves

Autumn Day over The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 8

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The famous Yellow Springs waterfall basks in autumn light under a falling canopy of bright yellow Sugar Maple leaves.

Autumn Day over The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 6

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The famous Yellow Springs waterfall basks in autumn light under a falling canopy of bright yellow Sugar Maple leaves.

Autumn Day over The Yellow Springs, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 1

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A fallen tree leads the eye towards the sugar maple trees filtering the evening light through their yellow leaves

Sunburst over Glen Helen Reserve, Yellow Springs Ohio

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The Yellow Springs at sunset where sunlight warmly illuminates the waterfall just before sunset

The Yellow Springs in Early Fall, Glen Helen Nature Preserve No. 1

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A macro view of dew drops resting on wide blades of grass, where individual drops refracted the morning golden rays into individual sun bursts of light.

Dew Drop Sunbursts, Yellow Springs OH No. 3

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