News Release
The Arc of Appalachia will be implementing a new permit-only access system at Quiverheart Gorge Preserve – Peebles, Ohio, in response to growing concerns over ecological disturbances occurring in the preserve’s highly acclaimed but delicate and biologically rich landscape.
Over the past year, caretakers and other visitors have witnessed increasing instances of off-trail hiking, trespassing, wildflower and fossil collection, and climbing on the Gorge’s waterfall and boulders—activities that pose serious threats and sometimes irreversible damage to the area’s sensitive natural features. These behaviors not only disrupt the fragile ecosystems but can also endanger visitors.
Arc Director Nancy Stranahan, says, “We always knew a permit system was a possibility for Quiverheart, just because it is so beautiful and popular. We held off implementing it as long as we could, but, unfortunately, the damage occurring in the preserve made this decision unavoidable.” Ms. Stranahan explained that permit systems successfully protect a preserve because permit registration holds visitors more accountable, they agree to the rules and regulations as part of the permit process, and the system puts an upper limit on the number of visitors in the preserve each day, reducing inevitable human impact.”
The Arc maintains 17 preserves with trails that are open to the public across southern Ohio. Other than Quiverheart, only one other Arc preserve on a permit system is Honeycomb Rocks Preserve in Hocking County, another preserve that also features beautiful rock formations.
A permit application takes only a minute to fill out, and the approved permit will arrive in the applicant’s inbox rapidly. This allows permits to be obtained even at the last minute, but only so long as vacancies are still available.
How to Get a Permit: Permits can be obtained at no cost by visiting the Arc of Appalachia website: · Go to www.arcofappalachia.org.
· Click the “Arc Preserves” tab
· Select “Preserves w/Hiking Trails”
· Scroll down to Quiverheart Gorge
· Read through the guidelines and click “Apply for a Permit.”
· The permit will be sent to you via email immediately
The permit system is scheduled to start on August 18, 2025.
The permit process reminds visitors to stay on marked trails, leave no trace, and follow all posted rules. These simple acts of respect help ensure that wildflowers continue to bloom on the rocks, the native wildlife continues to thrive, and future generations can experience the same beauty that greets people today at Quiverheart Gorge.
David and Kim Baker, caretakers and co-founders of Quiverheart Gorge, share, “We’re grateful to the many, many people who have visited the preserve who treated the land with reverence and respect. Thank you for being a responsible steward of the land. Together, we can protect this precious landscape for future generations.”
The Arc of Appalachia is a nonprofit organization that protects wild communities in the Appalachian heartland of southern Ohio, eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia.
For further questions, please email: [email protected] or call (937) 365-1935.
