The entrance sign to the Fernald Preserve.
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management’s Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site is a regional destination for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and hiking. But do you know the site’s history as a uranium metals production site? To learn more about its incredible story, watch the video and take a virtual tour of the Fernald Preserve.
The Fernald Preserve Visitors Center is free and open to all. Walk-in visitors are welcome during normal open hours with scheduled programs, available daily, evenings, and weekends.
Visitors Center
- Wednesday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed federal holidays.
Fernald Preserve
- Monday through Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to dusk
The following activities and items are prohibited:
- Alcohol and illegal drugs.
- Firearms.
- Removing or damaging natural or man-made materials.
- Removing or damaging plants or plant parts (e.g., seed pods, fruit, leaves, firewood).
- Mushroom gathering.
- Soil excavation.
- Swimming or wading.
- Pets.
- Camping.
- Hunting, trapping, or fishing.
- Littering.
- Fires, open flames, or smoking.
- Traveling off public roadways or trails.
- Using unmanned aerial systems (drones).
- Tampering with or damaging structures, fences, signs, or other property.
By authority of Title 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 102-74, packages, briefcases, and other containers in the immediate possession of visitors, employees or other persons arriving on, working at, visiting, or departing from Federal property may be inspected. Persons in and on property must at all times comply with official signs of a prohibitory, regulatory, or directory nature. All persons entering in or on this property are prohibited from the following:
(A) Loitering and exhibiting disorderly conduct
(B) Improperly disposing of rubbish, willfully destroying or damaging property, stealing property, creating hazards, throwing articles from or at a building, or climbing upon any part of the building
(C) Gambling
(D) Being under the influence of any drug or alcohol other than prescription medication
(E) Operating a motor vehicle on the property while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(F) Soliciting, except: funds authorized by 5 CFR Part 950; by employees on authorized bulletin boards; labor organizations authorized by the Civil Reform Act of 1978
(G) Distributing free samples of tobacco products, as mandated by Section 636 of Public Law 104-52
(H) Posting, affixing or distributing materials, such as pamphlets, handbills, or flyers, except as authorized in 41 CFR Part 102-74.410, or when these displays are conducted as part of authorized government activities or by official permit
(I) Photographs of workspace for commercial or non-commercial purposes without permission
(J) Animals, other than authorized service animals
(K) Blocking entrances, driveways, walks, loading platforms, or fire hydrants
(L) Parking without authority, parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved for other persons, or parking contrary to the direction of posted signs
(M) Carrying or possessing explosives, or items intended to be used to fabricate an explosive or incendiary device, either openly or concealed, except for official purposes
(N) The possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons by all persons not specifically authorized by 18 United States Code 930. Violators will be subject to fine and/or imprisonment for periods up to five (5) years
A person found guilty of violating any rule or regulation in this subpart while on any property shall be fined under Title 18 United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both.
A strict no pets allowed policy is in effect at all times at the Fernald Preserve. We strive to fulfill the goal of protecting the site’s unique ecosystems, habitats, wildlife, and sensitive vegetation, as well as ensure that all visitors are offered an equally enjoyable experience.
Our no pets allowed policy does not apply to visitors with service animals.
Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site
7400 Willey Road
Hamilton, OH 45013The Fernald Preserve is located in southwest Ohio, about 18 miles northwest of Cincinnati.
From Greater Cincinnati International Airport (Located in Northern Kentucky)
- West on I-275 for approximately 21 miles through Indiana.
- to I-74 junction in Ohio.
- East on I-74 and I-275 for 2 miles (toward Cincinnati) to Exit 7, State Route 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway).
- North (left) on State Route 128 through Miamitown for 7 miles to Willey Road.
- Left on Willey Road ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve entrance on the right.
From Eastern Cincinnati
- West on I-275 to Exit 33A, U.S. 27 (Colerain Avenue).
- North (right) on U.S. 27 for 5 miles to the Hamilton-Ross exit.
- Left on State Route 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway) through Ross for 4 miles to Willey Road.
- Right on Willey Road ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve entrance on the right.
From Indiana
- East on I-74 (toward Cincinnati) to Exit 7, State Route 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway).
- North (left) on State Route 128 through Miamitown for 7 miles to Willey Road.
- Left on Willey Road ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve entrance on the right.
From Downtown Cincinnati
- North on I-75 to west on I-74 (toward Indianapolis) to Exit 7, State Route 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway).
- North (right) on State Route 128 through Miamitown for 7 miles to Willey Road.
- Left on Willey Road ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve entrance on the right.
From Dayton/Northern Ohio
- South on I-75 (toward Cincinnati) to west on I-275 to Exit 33A, U.S. 27 (Colerain Avenue).
- North (right) on U.S. 27 for 5 miles to the Hamilton-Ross exit.
- Left on State Route 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway) through Ross for 4 miles to Willey Road.
- Right on Willey Road ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve entrance on the left.
Fernald Preserve Visitors Center
(513) 648-3330
fernald@LM.doe.gov