Columbus Metro Parks are some of the best in the nation! They have a wide range of activities you can do and enjoy during every season. Our family has been to all 19 parks in the system, we’ve hiked numerous trails and meet the amazing naturalists.
This ultimate guide to Columbus Metro Parks is meant to help you find a short list of what every park offers and links to more detailed blogs about our times there. We hope you get out to explore and adventure in Columbus Metro Parks soon!
Glacier Ridge Metro Park:
This 1,037-acre park was once covered with farmland. However, it is now being restored to its vibrant habitat.
Some of our favorite things to do are to walk along the boardwalk through the Honda Wetlands Area to climb the observation tower or to go biking, run the obstacle course, and check out the vernal pool.
Things To Do at Glacier Ridge Metro Park:
General Information:
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.216.8859
Location
Glacier Ridge Main Entrance:
9801 Hyland-Croy Rd
Plain City, OH 43064
Highbanks Metro Park:
Highbanks is named for its massive 100-foot-high shale bluff peering over the Olentangy State Scenic River, and let’s tell you; they are stunning! Walking along the trails at Highbanks gives you views of the small streams that flow through the rolling terrain, and these streams have created several deep ravines in the park. The landscape here makes this one of the most beautiful parks in the system.
Our Favorite Geological Feature is the Concretions
I think the most defining feature here is the concretions that are found throughout the park! We love seeing them and snapping some pictures of these fantastic geological finds. You can learn more about these in the visitor center before you head out on your adventure to find them.
Make sure to check out the eagle’s nest from the viewing platform. We recommend you take binoculars to get a bird’s eye view of these beautiful birds.
General Information:
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.906.3149
Nature Center: 614.846.9962
Highbanks Location:
9466 Columbus Pike
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Homestead Park
Homestead Park:
This sweet little 44-acre park has a covered bridge, train station replica and two barns. Our family has enjoyed the 2.5-acre fishing pond, took time to play on the playground, and walked the short three-quarter mile paved trail which connects to the 6.1-mile Heritage Rail Trail. I’ve enjoyed this small park for years and if you are nearby or looking for a fun place to let the kids play, this park is for you!
Blendon Woods Metro Park
This 653-acre park contains some amazing geology and stunning ravines to hike and take day adventures in. It is a great place to go to see songbirds and other wildlife, especially the HUGE flock of wild turkeys that amble around through the park. No trip here is complete until I get to see them!
Thoreau Lake is a feature that you don’t want to miss at this park. We have seen LOTS of amazing birds, waterfowl, and deer as we have walked through. Take some time to sit and enjoy the day on one of the benches here.
General Information
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.620.1861
Nature Center: 614.895.6221
Reservations: 614.508.8111 (M-F 8am–4pm)
Blendon Woods Location:
4265 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH 43081
Heritage Trail
While this park is small it offers a sweet place to get outside within the city.
Heritage Trail Park is an 87-acre park and is adjacent to the Heritage Rail Trail, which is a 6.1-mile multi-purpose trail. You can bike, walk or run this trail for an afternoon of exercise
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.216.8859
Location
7262 Hayden Run Road
Hilliard, OH 43026
Inniswood Metro Park
Inniswood Metro Gardens is a 123-acre park located in Westerville, Ohio. This park is known as “a source of inspiration for all ages.” While this is another small park within the park system, it is definitely the most colorful and vibrant! At Inniswood, you can see streams and woodlands filled with wildflowers and beautifully landscaped areas.
This is one of Columbus Metro Park’s most magical places. I loved watching my granddaughter wander through the secret garden and smell the beautiful lilacs!
One of the most exciting things you can do at this park is to take stunning family pictures. You can’t beat this location with all the delightful colors and beauty.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 6:30 amone (cell): 614.208.4301
Phone (office): 614.895.6216
Location
940 S Hempstead Rd
Westerville, OH 43081
Rocky Fork Metro Park
Rocky Fork Metro Park features more than three miles of walking trails that wind through woods and fields. I love the beauty of this park, and the naturalists here are excellent. Bring a hammock and a book for an afternoon of relaxation at this park.
Things to Do:
There is a bridle trail, dog park, an off-leash trail for dogs, a play area for kids, and a large shelter for picnics.
Sharon Woods Metro Park
Sharon Woods is a 761-acre park that houses a mixture of forests and fields filled with all of Ohio’s beautiful natural treasures! We enjoy an afternoon fishing here and lazing around in our hammocks. The 11-acre Schrock Lake is a draw for many and creates a place for relaxation and time with family and friends.
Things to do:
We enjoyed checking out the vernal pools and finding eggs and salamander within the water. Make sure to bring muck boots for your off-trail amphibian-seeking hikes.
Blacklick Metro Park
Blacklick Woods has 643 acres of woods, fields, seasonal swamp ponds, and a small prairie. Did you know it has one of the best remaining beech-maple forests in Central Ohio?
The forest areas are woven with trails that wind through Blacklick Woods! Our family loves this park and we try to get here as often as possible.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.208.4247
Nature Center: 614.861.8759
Reservations: 614.508.8111 (M-F 8am–4pm)
Location
6975 East Livingston Avenue
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
Did you know Chestnut Ridge is the first ridge in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains? This 486-acre park is laced with Black Oak, Shagbark Hickory, and Northern Red Oak trees and many beautiful features! Taking a family day here is definitely worth your time.
We recently purchased mountain bikes and we look forward to trying out these mountain bike trails!
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.208.4298
Locations
Chestnut Ridge
8445 Winchester Rd NW
Carroll, OH 43112
Clear Creek Metro Park
Clear Creek Metro Park features over 5,300 acres of woodland interspersed with blackhand sandstone cliffs, deep ravines, and delightful flowing creeks. The forested areas range from Canadian Hemlocks and ferns, and this park is home to one of Ohio’s last remaining colonies of rhododendron.
You can be here for a FULL day, so pack whatever you might need. Facilities here are rustic, that means they are vault toilet.
Bring PLENTY of water.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 740.969.8210
Locations
Clear Creek Metro Park
23233 Clear Creek Road
Rockbridge, OH 43149
Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
Pickerington Ponds is a premier spot for birdwatching, and I love to come here for a morning of birding. This park is perfect for sitting with a cup of coffee and binoculars to check off birds from your birding check-off list!
The most memorable bird we have seen was to Roseate Spoonbill.
Things To Do:
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.208.4329
Location
7680 Wright Rd
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Slate Run Historical Farm and Metro Park
Slate Run Farm and Metro Park
Have you ever wondered what an 1800’s farm was like? Are you curious about how to cook on a wood stove? How to cultivate heirloom seeds and garden? Do you want to take a gorgeous day hike? Have a nice picnic at a great picnic grounds? Fishing pond? Then Slate Run Historical Farm and Metro Park are a great location for you to check out.
We have enjoyed many days here hiking trails, walking across the covered bridge, and reading in hammocks by the water. I really love this park.
Things To Do:
Slate Run Metro Park Location:
Slate Run
1375 St. Rte. 674 North
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Three Creeks Metro Park
Three Creeks is one of our family favorites to go for great hikes along the river. While we are there we can see abundant wildlife and birds galore! This park is a perfect place for a day out in nature, using one of Columbus Metro Park’s great green spaces.
If you are in Columbus or visiting the area, don’t miss this stop.
Things To Do:
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.208.2874
Location
3860 Bixby Rd
Groveport, OH 43125
Walnut Woods Metro Park
Walnut Woods is known for its beautiful pathway through the tall pine trees. I like to combine this park with Slate Run Metro Park because you can enjoy both of these great metro parks in one day. Enjoy a day in south-east Columbus while enjoying these 2 great parks.
Things To Do:
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.357.9375
Locations
Walnut Woods
6723 Lithopolis Rd
Groveport, OH 43125
Buckeye Area
6716 Lithopolis Rd
Groveport, OH 43125
Tall Pines Area
6833 Richardson Rd
Groveport, OH 43125
Battelle Darby Metro Park
Battelle Darby Creek is a delightfully large park boasting 7,000 acres of forest, prairies, and wetlands. It encompasses along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby creeks.
Bison have been reintroduced to the park and roam freely within two enclosed pastures nearby the amazing visitor center! Battelle Darby’s visitor center is state of the art and has a living stream for you to see what the Big and Little Darby looks like. My kids have spent hours here observing the steam teaming with life.
If you’ve never been to this park make sure you slate a decent amount of time for this one.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.370.6254
Nature Center: 614.878.7106
Reservations: 614.508.8111 (M-F 8am–4pm)
Location
1775 Darby Creek Dr
Galloway, OH 43119
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
“Prairie Oaks features nearly 500 acres of lush flowering prairies and grasslands that were restored using seeds native to the Darby Plains,” says Columbus Metro Parks website.
The Big Darby State and National Scenic River flows through the park and provides a beautiful and great place for outdoor adventure. We love to find mussels, hellbenders and other wildlife here at this amazing park. The prairie can be very sunny and hot during the summer so make sure to bring sunblock for when you go on these trails.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.208.4321
Location
Scioto Grove Metro Park
Scioto Grove Metro Park
Have you ever wished you could try out your backcountry hiking gear before you go? Do you wish you could sleep under the stars in a familiar place and see where your gear is lacking before you are high in the mountains and unfamiliar with the environment? Have you wondered what trying out your gear looks like while NOT in your own back yard? Scioto Grove Metro Park, in Grove City, is the place for the average to avid hikers to try out their backcountry gear.
Scioto Grove Metro Park is a 620-acre park along the Scioto River with mature forests and scenic bluffs overlooking the river. We recommend spending at least a half-day here to enjoy everything this park has to offer.
BACKPACKING
Backpacking is free and registration opens April 1 for 2019. Call 614.539.3339 to register. Backpacking starts mid-April and is available every other weekend (Friday and Saturday nights), through to the end of October.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.949.1078
Backpacking reservations: 614.539.3339
Location
5172 Jackson Pike
Grove City, OH 43123
Scioto Audubon Metro Parks
“Scioto Audubon has been transformed from a blighted brownfield into a green oasis where wildlife and birds thrive and flourish.” This direct quote from Columbus Mero Parks really sums up the truth about this park. While we don’t get here often when we do we are treated to amazing birds and wildlife within the borders of the park.
Our kids have climbed here on the rock climbing wall and enjoyed hiking around the facility.
Hours and Info
6:30am to 8pm
Phone: 614.202.5197
Location
Other Great Ohio Destinations:
Pin for Later!
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
[…] Gleason Family AdventureUltimate Guide to Columbus Metro ParksApril 28, 2020 – 2:11 pm […]
Comments are closed.