The distance of the dark cloud L1251 was estimated from observations made at the Konkoly Observatory between 1985 and 1991. The spectral classification and the H{alpha} emission features were measured on objective-prism plates taken with the 60/80/180 Schmidt telescope; the photometry was derived from observations made on photographic plates with emulsion-filter combinations giving magnitudes in the Johnson photometric system. The distance of the cloud was found to be 300+/-50pc.