Application for Wilderness Hiking Pass    back to Hiking Page

Guiding Principles for Wilderness Hiking Passes -- please read before applying.

1) Hikers must stay on designated hiking trails and follow the trail in the direction instructed. Do not take shortcuts, or go off the trail to a cliff’s edge for a special view. The Arc is home to many rare plants – many living in extremely fragile and appealing places such as cliff rims, lookouts and  fallen boulders. Safety notice: As our trails are deliberately narrow in order to be low-impact, it is important that visitors remain in the on the trail so as not to damage wildflowers and ferns growing along the trail. Please be sure to explain these rules to your children and keep them close to you, for the protection of both the preserves and your children – there are many sheer drop-offs and cliffs in our region.

2) Follow switchbacks.  Most trails are narrow and winding. They adapt to the natural contours to minimize erosion, avoiding delicate areas that have rare plants. When switchbacks are obvious, please be stay on the designated trail, guiding children to do likewise.

3) The only traffic permitted on trails is human foot traffic. Please, no pets. Motorized vehicles, horseback riding and bicycles are not permitted on the trails. Seeing eye dogs in harness, and when accompanied and supervised by their designated human partner, are permitted.

4) All visitors are asked to walk and speak quietly on the trails, stepping lightly and keeping voices low so as not to disturb fellow hikers and the wildlife in the preserve.

5) Hunting, trapping and fishing are prohibited. There shall be no collection or disturbance of any artifact, mineral, plant, animal, or animal homes.

6) The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, including all buildings, is a drug and alcohol-free zone. Smoking is not permitted in or around buildings or on the trails, and is discouraged elsewhere in the Sanctuary.

7) Please pack out all refuse and litter. Helping to pick up litter along the trail and roadsides is encouraged and greatly appreciated.

8) No firewood collecting in the Sanctuary.

10) Please park cars only in designated parking areas and display pass in windshield at all times. Please do not park along side the road except at official trailheads.

Application with Five Day Notice: (Please read exceptions on Hiking Page) Please be sure that your application arrives no later than five days in advance so that our small staff can process your request, and if it is at the Sanctuary, schedule a time to meet you. E-mail application is required.  If you absolutely do not have computer access you my call the phone number listed below the application. We regretfully must decline any permit requests that come in less than 5 days in advance, as work schedules for staff and volunteers are set in advance and we are committed to serving all visitors equally. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MEET YOU AT YOUR REQUESTED TIME if at all possible. If this is your first visit or if it has been some time since you have visited, we will provide you with a personal orientation to the Sanctuary and the trail options, as well as providing trail maps and seasonal recommendations.

HIKING PERMIT APPLICATION

Fill out the form and click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page

1. Applicant's contact information:

Name
Street Address
Address (cont.)
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal Code
Country
Day Phone
Evening Phone
Mobile Phone
E-mail

 

2. Applications are first-come, first-served, up to twelve people a day. Please list in order of preference the date(s) that you wish to visit. (Please: to maintain our precious trails and ensure everyone has a chance to visit, we ask that you apply at least 7 days in advance.) You may request a permit up to two consecutive days.

1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice

 

3. Please check which preserve site this application is for:

  Highlands Nature Sanctuary
  Kamama Prairie -- permit comes by email
 

4.     Is this your first visit ?  Yes   No

5.    If you are coming to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, please tell us the time you plan to arrive so that we can meet you at the Appalachian Forest Museum to give you your orientation, map and permit. Click here for Directions.

Note, please give us a call at our main information line, 937-365-1935,  if you decide to cancel or you are running very late. If we don't hear from you, we be at the Appalachian Forest Museum at least fifteen minutes before and after the designated time of arrival. As we may be making a special trip to the Museum to meet you, we greatly appreciate you being on time to the best of your ability.

6. Please list the name(s) of family members or friends who will accompany you. If children are accompanying you, please list their ages. 

Visitors' Name(s) and ages (if children)     


7. Are you associated with separate incoming permit applications? If yes, please let us know the names of others that are planning on hiking with you but will be applying separately. We will do our best to approve your entire group for the same date.

Associated Permit Applicant                    


6. The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System stewards very delicate eco-systems with many fragile and imperiled plant species. Some of these grow along the trail borders. To protect our preserves and sustainably allow visitation, visitors must conscientiously agree to stay on the trails and walk single-file. If children are accompanying you, please relay the preserve's philosophy of harmlessness to youngsters, using gentle words that they can understand while serving as a worthy model. If you are coming to take photographs, please be willing to take pictures from the trail. Are you willing to abide by these parameters?

9.  If you haven't already, please read the Guiding Principles for Wilderness Passes at the beginning of this page. Do you agree to abide by these principles while visiting?


 

10. A donation is not required but is greatly appreciated and needed for sustainable orperations. As a non-profit and a non-membership organization, our visitation services and wilderness restoration efforts are dependent upon generous gifts from donors for our continued existence and public service. If you wish to make a donation by mail, please click here for a form.

 Please remember that the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System is not open to household pets, so please do not bring your dogs with you.  We extend our apologies to those exceptional canines who would enjoy the visit!

Questions? Please email: internships@highlandssanctuary.org  or call our main information number at 937-365-1935 or call Tim Pohlar, Permit Coordinator and Cave Canyon Manager, home phone at 937-365-0556, cell phone 937-402-8317.

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