We’re excited to help you get out and enjoy these beautiful parks in Columbus, Ohio! For each park, we’ll share our favorite trail so you have a list of some of the best hiking in Columbus, Ohio. We will also share the location so that you know what to put into your GPS.
These parks are not ranked, rather we number the parks to make it easier for you to read through. We also recommend keeping track of your hikes in this nifty hiking journal (affiliate link). Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Slate Run Metro Park (Canal Winchester)
Slate Run Metro Park is a hidden gem in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park system. Every time we visit this park, I feel like we are discovering a place that that not many people seem to know about. While not far from the city, you get to momentarily forget the sound of passing vehicles and instead hear the birds singing in the cover of the trees.
Slate Run features an historic living farm, a wetlands area, a lake – complete with a pretty nfity boardwalk, and a covered bridge.
Our favorite trail, however, is the 1.5 mile loop called the Five Oaks Trail. The Five Oaks Trail traverses a gorgeous natural play area, and integrates some quick elevation changes as you meander through mature tree growth and experience sporadic views of Slate Run Creek.
There is lots of parking near the trail head (which is also conveniently located by the Shady Grove Picnic Area). Read more about Slate Run Metro Park here.
To get here, search 1375 St Rte 674 N, Canal Winchester, Ohio.
2. Infirmary Mound Park (Granville)
Infirmary Mound Park is a landmark park within the Licking County Parks District. This quaint park features a lake, dog park, and several miles of trails that are friendly to both humans and horses.
The Infirmary Mound Park Fairy Trail is our recommended hike. This short loop hike is such a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with the entire family. This seasonal experience (beginning in the late Spring and ending the the Autumn) transforms Infirmary Mound Park’s Wildflower Trail into something straight from a story book. The trail features neat fairy and pixie dwellings through abundant tree cover. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this short jaunt.
To get here, search 4351 Lancaster Rd, Granville, Ohio.
3. Walnut Woods Metro Park (Groveport)
Welnut Woods Metro Park provides visitors with nice trails to walk and bike. This park features numerous areas with organized trees as it used to be a tree farm. Here, you will find dog parks, a pollinator garden, and a number of trails that meander through the park’s landscape.
Our hike recommendation at Walnut Woods takes you to the Tall Pines Area of the Sweetgum Trail. This trail is flat and mostly paved and doubles as a bike trail. The highlight is a dense pack of pine trees along the back end of the loop which provides some great opportunities to take photos.
Explore this post to get the most out of your Walnut Woods Metro Park experience.
To get here, search 6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport, Ohio.
4. Char Mar Ridge Park (Lewis Center)
Char Mar Ridge Park is another nice getaway. The well-maintained gravel walkways take you along a portion of the Ohio-Erie trail. The park features a beautiful natural play area, rolling hills, and water views. The park is a part of Preservation Parks Delaware County.
Our recommendation for hiking is to explore the Glacier Ridge Trail. This 1.7 mile gravel trail showcases the park, and provides great wildlife viewing opportunities. The hike is moderate with some slight changes in elevation, but we have seen some (brave) parents pushing strollers with small children along the way.
To get here, search 7741 Lewis Center Road, Westerville, Ohio.
5. Blendon Woods Metro Park (Columbus)
Of all the parks in Columbus, Ohio, Blendon Woods may be the most surprising. While some of the other parks mentioned lie in more rural areas on the fringes of Columbus, Blendon Woods is a peaceful oasis in the thick of city living! Accessible from the City’s freeway system, this park provides visitors with a diversity of outdoor experiences and lots of opportunities to hike.
There are a lot of hikes that we like at this park. The hike that we enjoy the most, however, is probably the Overlook Trail which provides some beautiful views along the Ripple Rock creek and connects with the Ripple Rock Trail. You might just want to add the Ripple Rock Trail to your hike as it showcases a beautiful petrified ocean area – a geat place to listen to flowing water.
To get here, search 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, Ohio.
6. Scioto Grove Metro Park (Grove City)
Scioto Grove Metro Park was a pleasant experience! I didn’t know what to expect of this park, but it has a TON to offer visitors. This is one of few parks that offers a Drone Flight Zone. When we visited, there were several drone pilots that were flying which was neat to watch. This park also features a disc golf course, an archery 3D course, and camping sites.
One of the best natural features about this park is that it abuts the Scioto River. This makes for beautiful hiking and canoeing! In fact, our favoirte hike here is the REI River Trail, a 1.8 mile hike that runs along the Scioto. If you park next to the Grove Lodge, you can access this trail starting with a great overlook of the river. From there, you can choose your own path – walking south toward the Rope Bridge (pictured below) or north so you can explore under the cover of the trees. Either way, you’re in for a treat!
To get here, search 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, Ohio.
7. Dawes Arboretum (Newark)
Dawes Arboretum provides a lovely step away from the city. This private park now charges an entrance fee, but is a delight to explore. When you visit, stop by the Visitor Center for information and for a chance to see the lovely Bonzai garden featuring a large variety of miniature trees.
While there are beautiful drives all around the arboretum that allow you to get out of your vehicle and walk, I recommend taking a stroll in the Cypress swamp area. This is a short boardwalk stroll not too far from the park entrance. You will have the opportunity to see beautiful Bald Cypress trees and spot some neat swamp wildlife like frogs, fish, and salamanders.
To get here, search 7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark, Ohio.
8. Whetstone Park / Columbus Park of Roses (Columbus)
The Columbus Park of Roses and Whetsone Park are connecting parks with access to the Olentangy Trail. These beautiful parks, located in the Clintonville area are great for small gatherings and a break from the city grind. In the Park of Roses, you will see immaculately landscaped rose gardens alongside beautiful water features, and bridges. With over 11,000 roses of over 300 varieties, you are sure to enjoy your visit.
While there are nice short paths to meander through the Park of Roses and around the Whetstone Park ponds, we recommend taking a stroll, jog, or bike ride along the segment of the Olentangy Trail that runs south of the parking area. You will see some beautiful views of the Olentangy River along this walk which provides a nice paved space to enjoy the outdoors.
The park is located at 3923 N. High St, Columbus, Ohio
9. Antrim Park (Columbus)
Antrim Park is another park along the lovely Olentangy Trail. This is one of the Columbus City Parks that is complete with a playground, soccer fields, and numerous interconnecting trails and greenspaces to experience parks and recreation in Columbus, Ohio.
This park features a gorgeous loop trail around the surprisingly large Antrim Lake which is a 1-mile walking trail that is well worth checking out. This is one of the best places to hike in Columbus!
GPS 5800 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio
10. Sycamore Creek Park (Pickerington)
Sycamore Creek Park is a nice suburban park situated near Pickerington’s quaint downtown district. It allows access to the Sycamore Creek which lies right below the beautiful Zeller-Smith covered bridge. Check out our post on Covered Bridges in Ohio if you’re interested in checking out this bridge and others in the area. Sycamore Creek Park also features a ninja warrior course, numerous fields for sporting events, and an amphitheater.
If you walk across the covered bridge, you are taken to the park’s beautiful arboretum. You can circumambulate the arboretum at a leisurely pace to enjoy the diverse trees.
You can get here by entering 481 Hereford Drive, Pickerington, Ohio in your GPS
11. Blacklick Woods Metro Park (Reynoldsburg)
Blacklick Woods Metro Park is a large Metro Park with a variety of trails, fitness areas, attended nature center, and programming. The park’s Multipurpose Trail connects with the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail which connects into Pickerington Ponds Metro Park and beyond.
The hike that we recommend, however, is the 0.5 mile Buttonbush Trail which is accessible near the deepest parking area in the park. The entrance of the trail is next to the park’s Nature Center. On the dirt trail with portions of boardwalk, you get a relaxing peek into nature.
To get here, search 6975 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
12. A.W. Marion State Park (Circleville)
A.W. Marion is a State Park in Circleville. From downtown Columbus, you’re in for about a 40 minute drive to reach the park, but it’s completely worth it! The drive takes you off the freeway system, to the rural area around Circleville. When you reach the park, you are greeted by the beautiful clear Hargus Lake!
You’ll want to spend time on the Hargus Lake Perimeter Loop Trail which is a 3.9 mile loop around the lake. When you hike this trail, you are likely to run into fishermen and women, trail runners, and folks meandering the trail from the park’s adjoining camp ground. This is an intermediate hike, so you’ll want to make sure that you take some good hiking boots so that you have good traction – especially if you visit when the ground is wet.
To get here, enter this address into your GPS: 7519 Warner-Huffer Road, Circleville, Ohio
13. Clear Creek Metro Park (Rockbridge)
At Clear Creek Metro Park, visitors get to “choose your own adventure”. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, historical buildings, water recreation, and scenic driving opportunitites.
The hiking here is plentiful with several rigorous trails that take you into the hills for those that like a challenge. For an easy stroll with water views (which if you can’t tell by now, we love the water!), check out the pet portion of the Creekside Meadows trail.
Enter 23833 Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, Ohio to get here. (Note: there are several sections of the park, so you might find a pull off along the river where you choose to park that connects with the trail of your choosing)
14. Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve (Gahanna)
Gahanna Woods is a nature preserve that provides visitors with beautiful scenery, forest, and wildlife. The park features a few different trail options through the woods against a backdrop of water running through the creek. You are also greeted by a pretty wetland area near the parking lot at the preserve.
Our favorite trail is the 0.5 mile Short Loop. This trail provides a short walk with an opportunity to take in your surroundings. It can be wet though, so this is probably one to avoid after a rainy period.
GPS 11699 Taylor Station Road, Gahanna, Ohio for directions
15. Wahkeena Nature Preserve (Sugar Grove)
We encountered Wahkeena Nature Preserve when exploring places in our Ohio History Connection Passport. We were pleasantly surprised by the welcoming Visitor Center complete with a great living museum (which we recommend that you check out before your hike). This Nature Preserve features a number of trails and opportunities to view wildlife.
Out favorite hike was the Shelter Trail which is a 0.5 mile hike that loops through some gorgeous open space under the shade of trees. This is an easy to moderate hike with one area in the trail that narrows which could pose a fall risk if you’re not sure-footed. Follow the signs so that you don’t get lost (like I did).
GPS directions to 2200 Pump Station Road SE, Sugar Grove, Ohio
Map of Parks in Columbus, Ohio Featured in This Article
Conclusion: Enjoy the Parks and Hikes in Columbus, Ohio!
These beautiful hikes and parks in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding area only scratch the surface of the abundance of outdoor opportunities available! These do, however, represent some of the best hikes in Columbus (in our humble opinion). Our Central Ohio Parks post highlights even more parks in the area that you might want to check out. Enjoy and happy exploring!
