Metro Parks
Columbus Metro Parks - and what they have to offer
With most of the country shut down because of the pandemic, there are few ways to stay entertained outside of adult coloring books, television, and reading.
That is where Columbus, Ohio’s small treasurers come into play.
You may drive by them when you’re running errands or joyriding in the country, but the Metro Parks Columbus has to offer are something special and are worth a stop. With a total of 19 in the surrounding counties, and 230 miles of trails, these parks are perfect for self-isolation and for getting the exercise and fresh air we all need.
As a kid…
my mom and dad used to take my older sister and I to a variety of these parks to play on the jungle gyms. I never thought 20 years later that I would be coming back after living all over the country to utilize them again.
It has been a long while since I checked them out and there are a few new ones I haven’t even heard of. So, instead of sitting inside all day, I decided to explore the parks and check out each and every one of the 19.
I am excited to experience the parks as an adult, and hike every trail this city has to offer and I hope that through my experience I can show you the beauty of Columbus’ Metro Parks.
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
A few miles off Route 33, near the small town of Carrol, Ohio, is one of the parks I frequented often growing up in Columbus. It was always the perfect place to go when I wanted to get out into nature but not stray too far into the woods.
Right off the bat I like this park for how secluded it is. To put it frankly, no one seems to know it even exists. You can bet that nine times out of ten, you won’t see more than five cars in the parking lot.
Chestnut Ridge is probably one of the more difficult metro parks to walk. The path is gravel and dirt with a short boardwalk after you climb a fairly steep hill.
The start of the main trailhead is called the Ridge Trail (1 mile) and runs up a steep hill that drops you onto the long-ish boardwalk along the ridge. On the way around it there are a few observation decks that you can take in the views of the valleys on the backside too, which are worth a stop. From there you can extend the walk onto the Meadows Trail (1 mile) which takes you over a stream and around an open field where I’ve seen a ton of deer run through at times. If you’re not feeling that, you can cut it in half with the Homesite Trail (0.4 miles) where you walk along an old foundation of a home that was built in the 1930s. From either one of the trails, you pick the original Ridge Trail back up and complete the loop back to the parking lot via an easy down hill lark.
Near the entrance to the park is the Milkweed Trail (0.6 miles) that leads across a (marshy) field and into the lower part of the ridge into the woods. If you want an extra little walk I say go for it, but honestly, a walk around the pond would be nicer. I didn’t realize this is the pet trail and needless to say, you have some of those people who don’t listen to the golden rule of the outdoors, “pack in, pack out.” That includes what your dog drops off too...
Chestnut Ridge has and always will be one of my favorite parks. Like I said, it’s not hard by any means, but you can definitely get a good sweat going. With the lock down in place, I have never seen this park as crowded as I did today and I hope that it starts emptying back out in the near future. However, this is still a nice park if you want to feel secluded in nature while still being close to home.
Walnut Woods Metro Park
Since today hit 70 degrees (which is rare for Ohio in March!) I decided to check out Walnut Woods; a newer Metro Park that opened in 2011.
I have to admit, my hike did not start off the way I wanted. I began on the Buckeye Trail (2 miles) that runs in a loop around the creek bed on the northeast side of the park. However, either way I went, I was led to a closed path that had been washed out from the downpour over a week before. That must have been one heck of a storm.
I’m not one to turn around due to a little bit of mud. But, after finding a back path to the closed area (so I didn’t technically break any rules by passing the “closed sign”) I realized it was still closed for a reason. The water running across the trail had to be at least almost mid-calf deep. Which for a backpacking trip, aww well. For a fun hour or so hike, I just didn’t think it was worth soaking the inside of my hiking boots.
I was disappointed by the blockage but continued my exploration of the park and hiked every inch of that trail possible before moving on to the next. Walking behind the ranger station across Lithopolis Road, I found the trailhead for Kestrel Trail (1.3 miles) that leads you across matted grass and next to two small ponds. It wasn’t a hard trail at all, but some parts were still muddy and if you were wearing a pair of normal shoes, they would look a year older when you were done walking it.
This trail then led me to a small section of the Monarch Trail (1.4 miles - more on this later) and then onto the Sweetgum Trail (2.6 miles). This is the area of the park that you think of when you hear Walnut Woods. If you are looking for tall trees and the feeling you are in a forest (with a paved road) then this is probably what you want to aim for and park near. This trail has a large loop that can be cut in half if you want a shorter walk. At the back end of the trail you can take a small cut into a grassy path called the Pin Oak Trail (0.4 miles) that leads to the Sweetgum Trail on either side of it. It’s really there just so you can get off the main trail and feel like you are deep into the walnut trees.
When I finished this loop, it brought me back to where I started and onto the Monarch Trail again. This time I went the opposite direction for about half a mile until I came to a trail flooded sign again. At this point I decided to make my way back how I came and head to my van.
I really do think every metro park has something unique and special to offer. However, nothing about Walnut Woods really stood out to me. The terrain was flat, most was paved, and the views were average. Due to the current pandemic, I assume it was a little more crowded than typical? But, every 3 minutes or so I was running into someone else. When I go for a hike, I know I won’t be the only person in most places, but I do value trails that are a little more isolated and with nature.
One really cool thing I did see was a number of small garden snakes. There was a pile of 6 basking in the sun. I watched them for a good ten minutes. When they finally decided to move, I noticed that a nearby shallow swamp area had TONS! Definitely very cool.
All in all - I got almost 9 miles of walking in in about 2 hours and 42 minutes. It was nice to get out into nature and to take a few minutes here and there to look at wildlife and just enjoy.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Today I decided to check out another park that brought me back to my high school cross country days - Blacklick Woods Metro Park.
Created midcentury, Blacklick Woods is the first park of the 19 metro parks. It is located on Columbus’ southeast side near Reynoldsburg (home of the annual Tomato Festival).
This park splits up in about 4 loops. There is the straight, Multipurpose Trail (2.6 miles) that leads into a large loop. If you head right on the split you’ll walk down the single large hill in the park instead of up. This Trail also splits into the longer Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail that covers three Metro Parks. Once I was done with the Multipurpose Trail, I walked across the parking lot and started the three smaller loops.
The Buttonbush Trail (0.5 miles) is a short loop that has a wooden boardwalk. This leads into the super short connector, Walter A. Tucker Trail (0.1 miles) which runs directly into the second circle, Maple Loop (0.9 miles). From Maple Loop, you jog into the final loop, Birch Trail (0.7 miles) that, upon completion, leads to the first parking lot in the park.
Now about the park itself. This has never been one of my favorites. But, wanting to try each one out again, I was hoping my mind might change. Unfortunately, it did not. This park is always packed and today was no exception. The parking lot was full, and the trails were PACKED. Every few seconds I was having to navigate around a walker or bicyclist. While yes, that is part of being in a public park, there is a certain point where the overpopulation makes it hard to really cherish the beauty of the parks themselves.
The other thing worth noting, is that the biggest trail is multi-purpose. Because of this, you have to navigate around dogs, their waste, skateboards, bicycles, joggers; everything you can imagine. It’s good for a workout but not a peaceful walk in the woods. The noise from nearby I-70 doesn’t help much either.
So if you’re in the area and want an easy workout, I say check this place out. If you have time to drive a bit further, look elsewhere.
Pickerington Ponds
I’ve been coming to this metro park for years with my grandma, but I never realized how big it was until I came back as an adult.
This park is a series of ponds and fields that run north of Canal Winchester and west of Pickerington, crossing both Fairfield and Franklin counties.
The park had some seriously muddy spots. Apparently, the area is sinking little but little every year. My grandma used to tell me stories of an old farmhouse was on the land. Every time they drove near it back in the 1970s, they could see it lowering more and more until it eventually was covered.
Pickerington Ponds is usually pretty secluded, but today was busy with other quarantine-ers wanting a little fresh air.
The trails are mainly grassy loops through fields. The one thing that may be surprising however, is that most of the trails don’t walk around the actual ponds but rather across the street from them.
I started at Yellowlegs Trail (0.5 miles) which then leads into the longer Killdeer Trail (1.1 miles) where you can head right and see another pond at a dead end, or left until you get to a parking lot and entrance.
Crossing the main road, you can jump onto the Arrowhead Trail (1.7 miles). Unfortunately for this day, half of it was completely flooded out. You can also jump on the longer Blacklick Creek Greenway.
After backtracking back to the car, I than drove to the next trail head, Meadow Lark Trail (1 mile). This trail, just like the previous one, was also partly flooded.
This park is fairly flat, but I have to say, there is something peaceful about being out here. It’s a nice easy walk that takes over 2 hours going at an easy pace.
What I enjoyed most about Pickerington Ponds was the wildlife. I probably saw over 12 snakes here, and some were quite a bit bigger than what I saw at Walnut Woods. Throughout the walk, I also saw 2 red ear slider turtles that I made sure got off the road and away from any danger.
Fun fact, if you pick up a turtle to help it along its path, make sure to place it in the direction it was headed, otherwise they will potentially turn back to go the way they were going.
If you want a nice simple walk, while seeing some cool wildlife, and you live near the east or south side of the city, I would check out this metro park. You won’t be disappointed!
Blendon Woods
This park was a really cool surprise. Before today, I may have briefly heard of Blendon Woods? But I can’t say I even knew where it was. After looking at the map, I was pretty shocked when I realized it’s only about 10 minutes away from Easton Town Center. So with that said I needed to check out next.
Blendon Woods is close to Route 161, but once you’re in the park you can’t tell. It is just far enough off the road that after entering the park you soon forget.
The park itself feels like a ravine in the woods. A small stream cuts through it that gives you peaceful sound of flowing water and some pretty views.
I began my hike at the (closed) nature center and started the short Lake Trail (0.3 miles) that leads from two dead ends to an enclosed deck overlooking the Thoreau Lake.
A quick walk back to the nature center led me to the Goldenrod Trail (1.25 miles) which is also the pet trail. It’s two large loops that interconnect and lead you along the houses neighboring the park. This is the section of the park that reminds you aren’t deep into secluded wilderness. The trail is ungroomed and not paved, which led to a very muddy walk.
Next to the Goldenrod Trail is a very similar trail called Sugarbush (2 miles). It is the longest trail in the park and definitely gave me a good work out, trying to avoid the ankle deep puddles.
Heading back to the nature center parking lot, I picked up the Hickory Ridge Trail (0.25 miles) that cuts through the reaming paths and leads you into the cool section of the park. If you take a right at any point of the Hickory Ridge Trail, you’ll pick up Ripple Rock (0.4 miles) which loops you right back to the where you had been. Taking a left on Hickory Ridge will take you on either the Overlook Trail (0.6 miles) or the Brookside Trail (0.75 miles) depending on what section you decide to jog left. Both intersect at their far end and lead to two separate parking lots at the start of the park.
Outside of the cool ravines you hike through and stream that passes along, the thing I found really neat were the number of wild turkeys walking in the woods and even on the trail. I counted at least 7.
I’m happy I took the time to check out this park. And now that I know about it, I’ll definitely think about coming here for a morning workout and heading over to Easton after for a solid brunch.
Slate Run Metro Park
This park has always been special to me. Nearly every summer weekend as a kid, my mom and dad would take my sister and I to play on the two jungle gyms Slate Run has.
I’m a little to big to fit on the swing sets now so I decided to see what trails the park has to offer instead.
I was fortunate enough to come here when it was empty. My whole three-hour walk, I only passed probably two or three people. Turns out Wednesday mornings are a pretty solid time to go for a walk here.
From the main parking area, Buzzard’s Roost, I took the first small loop, Lake Trail (0.4 miles) around the lake (that seemed so much bigger when I was a kid). From there, I walked across the parking lot to the other remaining smaller trails, Covered Bridge (0.5 miles) that, as the name applies, leads you to an old timey bridge that is a solid place for some pictures. Once you cross the bridge, you are led to another loop, Shagbark Trail (0.5 miles) that covers a pretty easy dirt trail through a small forest.
After finishing this section, I walked back across the parking lot and got to the major trails of the park. This section is quite a bit harder. From steep hills, muddier paths, and some, in my opinion, prettier views, this is the section you want to do if you like a deeper outdoorsy feel.
You start on the Sugar Maple Trail (1.4 miles), through an deep valley with a stream that runs through. This trail splits into two separate trails, Five Oaks Trail (1.5 miles) and Bobolink Meadow Trail (1.5 miles). The Five Oaks Trail has a “Natural Play Area” that even as an adult looked pretty sweet. It has some stairs that lead into a stream where you can find salamanders, frogs, and some pretty cool wildlife. If you continue along the Sugar Maple Trail, you can split off path and make your way to the “Living Historical Farm” that is run by volunteers and shows what life was life back in the 1800s! I haven’t been to it since I was a kid, but I remember having a blast!
After finishing the trail to the farm, I made my way to the Bobolink Meadow Trail, a trail I don’t think I’ve ever been on before. I think of all of the places to walk, the back half of the park (where this trail is) is my favorite. The trails leads out of the woods into a large open field with the trail leading across some tall grass. This trail will eventually bring you to the Kokomo Wetland Trail (1.5 miles). This trail has a cool bridge and boardwalk across a few different ponds that were overtaken by geese and ducks. There is a parking lot for the back half of this park if you would prefer not to walk all the way there.
Slate Run also has a horse trail and a trail connected to their public campground.
This is a cool park - the trails are a bit tougher, longer, and just different than some other ones in the area. I may be a little biased when it comes to this place, but you really need to check it out!
Clear Creak Metro Park
With my favorite park in Ohio (Hocking Hills) closed for the time being, I was on the hunt for trails somewhere as secluded as possible with that classic southeast Ohio feel. Luckily, there is a beautiful little place about 7 miles south of Lancaster called Clear Creek Metro Park.
Most of the Metro Park paths are not what I would call a strenuous hike. Long, yes, tiring, ehhh, maybe by mile 8 or 10 you might start getting a little sore. Clear Creek...that is a whole different ballpark.
To begin, you WILL lose service. Both Verizon and AT&T. So be warned - if you jam out to Spotify or Apple Music when hiking, download your playlists before you get there.
As you drive into the park you’ll first notice a clear creek on your left hand side that runs the length of the park. And to my surprise, it was actually clear and honestly super pretty. There are a few parking lots along the length of the drive in as well as a picnic area and a few specific pull offs so that you can set up for a day of fishing or relaxing in this natural lazy river.
We wanted to see the whole park so we chose a parking spot at the furthest possible point, right next to a gorgeous lake. The lakes’ name is Lake Ramona and it is by far the prettiest thing at the park. It has a little waterfall coming off the dammed side and when you reach the top of the hill, you’re met with a beautiful calm surface that shows the reflection of every tree and cloud in its smooth, clear water.
After spending time by the peaceful lake, we decided to pick up a trail next to it that led us to a closed road and the picnic area I mentioned before. It was around there that we started our 16 mile hike.
Back Half:
We started on the Prairie Warbler Trail (0.6 miles), a nice easy loop through what I imagine during peak bloom season would be a gorgeous field of wild flowers. This trail then led directly into the Good Prairie Trail (0.3 miles) that had more or less the same views. Next was the Tulip Tree Trail (0.6 miles) that leads you through a pine forest and deep down a ravine. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any tulips but it was pretty nonetheless. After finishing that up we went over to the Lake Trail (0.9 miles) that wraps around the back side of that beautiful lake.
Connector:
After finishing up these back loops, we took the closed road to the next trail, Hemlock Trail (1.5 miles) that brings you through another ravine and into an open field to the next main area of trails.
Front Half:
The front half of the park is where most of the trails (and people) are. After finishing up the connector, it led us directly into the Cemetery Ridge Trail (2.5 miles). This is the longest trail in the park, and it is an easy jaunt through a fairly smooth, worn service path with a tree canopy and views of an old barn. If you take this trail headed east it will take you across the main road to the side near the creek. This is the Creekside Meadows Trail (1.7 miles) that also doubles as the pet trail. This also brings you to the only open bathroom in the whole park (for the time being). Once you finish Creekside Meadows, you can jog north to the Chestnut Trail (2.2 miles) that has some steep inclines back in the woods. This connects to the final trail, Fern Trail (1.7 miles) that loops back down south, across the main road, and to another parking lot.
This was not an easy walk in the park. This was a hike. Most of the trails are rugged, littered with rocks and roots, the inclines are steep, and parts can get muddy after heavy rains. But I loved it. Out of the metro parks I have been to, this is by far my favorite. You really feel like you’re out in the backcountry at times.
The thing I do want to mention is - if you plan on doing the entire park I would try to bring two cars. I am usually one to consolidate. But, the extra 2 miles back along the packed winding road to get to our car was even more tiring dangerous than the 14 miles of hiking we had just completed. Cars do not take it easy about those bends.
Our walk, including back to the car, was a total of about 16 miles and just under 6 hours. If you are going for a day of hiking this is great. However, don’t be like me and think it will be a short easy walk. Bring water, snacks and/or a daypack.
Clear Creek Metro Park was 100% worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. This is truly Columbus’ golden Metro Park.
Rocky Fork Metro Park
Hidden northeast of Columbus near New Albany, Rocky Fork Metro Park is one of the area’s newest. The park is just over 1,000 acres and has about 4 miles of trails.
There wasn’t much to this park. It is flat, there are no major waterways winding through the center of the park (Rock Fork Creek runs north), and the main paved path seems better suited for purely exercise purposes.
The Beech Woodland Trail (1.3 miles) is one of the paved sections that leads you on a loop through some woods in a flat path. From this you can jog off it to get on the Millstone Connector Trail (0.5 miles) which is also paved. This will guide you to the entrance of the park as well as to the dog area/trail. The Bevelhymer Trail (0.5 miles) runs east and jogs off the Beech Woodland Trail as well. It takes you through sole fields (while still being paved) and out to Bevelhymer Road. One cool thing is that when you hit the road, it looks like you can see the remains of an old barn that has been torn down with the floorboards still on the ground and a pile of what I imagine were the walls laying out. I’m sure if you could take the time (and had permission from whoever owns it) that you could find some pretty cool things left behind there under some of the pieces. The last trail, North Meadow Trail (1 mile), is the only unlaced area that runs in a loop north rod the park around a field. It hadn’t rained in a few days, but this area was still pretty muddy.
Rocky Fork also has a Bridle Trail but unlike some other metro parks, this one is off limits for walking unfortunately.
I think it’s awesome having so many parks in the area, but something about this park was lacking. I might come back for a run - but to spend time outside in nature, I will probably be going elsewhere.
