In Ethiopia, land degradation in the form of soil erosion debilitates agricultural development. However, SWCPs are commonly implemented to control soil erosion. This study was conducted in Gelda watershed Dera district, northwest Ethiopia in 2020/2021 to evaluate the effect of SWCPs and slope gradient on soil properties and farmers’ perception on SWCPs. Soils were sampled from three slope positions (upslope, middle slope, and downslope) as well as from three locations along the slope under fields treated with SB, SFSB, BSBV, and fields without conservation practices. Undisturbed core and disturbed composite soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth. The soil properties were analyzed with standard soil analytical procedures at Amhara Design and Supervision Works Enterprise, Bahir Dar. A survey using questionnaire was conducted on 133 households selected by simple random sampling to understand farmers’ perception on SWCPs. The statistical results revealed that Clay, sand, silt, BD, pH, OM, TN, C: N ratio, Av. P, CEC and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na were significantly (p < 0.01 and/or p < 0.05) affected by SWCPs and slope gradient. The highest value of pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphors, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and CEC were recorded under fields treated with SWCPs than untreated fields. With slope gradient, the highest mean values of clay, silt, pH, OM, TN, Av. P, CEC and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na were recorded in the lower slope and the highest mean value of sand and BD was obtained in the upper slope positions. According to survey results, 89.47% of the respondents believed that soil erosion can be controlled and SWCPs improved land productivity. Also, the majority of the respondents perceived SWCPs increased soil fertility. Hence, SB, SFSB, and BSBV practices were improved soil properties. Therefore, this study recommends that farmers should integrate physical SWC structures with multipurpose plant species continuously to improve the soil fertility.