The warmer weather is here and we are all looking for more opportunities to get outside and get moving. Going for a hike or walk is a great way for the family to get out in nature together. There are so many beautiful places nearby for your next outdoor adventure!
I have put together a list of some of our favorite spots for a family hike. There are trails of all distances in these locations and they are some of our favorite places to hike as a family. Be sure to pack hats and sunglasses, sunscreen and all the snacks, and have fun exploring Columbus on foot!
Do you have favorite spots to hike that aren’t on this list? Send me an email at: [email protected]!
Columbus Metro Parks -all of them!
I personally don’t think you can go wrong by heading to any of our Columbus Metro Parks! There are so many good trails at the Parks, and you will often find other fun activities (playgrounds, nature centers, disc golf, and so much more!) If you’re ever undecided on where to go, look for one of the Metro Parks and head there!
Highbanks Metro Park
We love visiting Highbanks Metro Park! It is one of the Metro Parks that has a Visitors Center which is great if you need a break from the elements. There are a lot of trails at the park, ranging from easy to more difficult, so you can look at a park map and decide which one is best for your family. Highbanks also has a number of shelters, picnic tables and playgrounds once you are done hiking.
Location: 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center
Scioto Grove Metro Park
Scioto Grove Metro Park has some great hiking, and also one of my daughter’s favorite playgrounds. Some of the trails do take you down close to the river and can get very muddy after a lot of rain, so plan accordingly. We have also found this one tends to have more bugs than some of the other parks, so I recommend bringing bug spray in case you need it.
Location: 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City
Deer Haven Park
We love Deer Haven when we want a trail that is shaded. We usually do a trail that is about 1 mile through the trees, so on warm and sunny days it’s a nice way to hike, but out of the sun. There is also a small nature center here as well.
Location: 4183 Liberty Dr, Delaware
Clear Creek Metro Park
Clear Creek reminds us a lot of hiking at Hocking Hills, but it’s not quite as far as Hocking Hills is from Columbus, and not as crowded. There are a lot of hills at this park, but we find the hiking to be not too difficult and it really is quite pretty, especially in the fall and spring months. Our family loves fishing and there is a really great fishing spot at this park that we enjoy.
Location: 185 Clear Creek Rd, Lancaster
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
Chestnut Ridge is the first ridge in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. We recently hiked here and combined two trails into a 2 mile hike. The trail itself was easy, but there was a large climb which brought us great views at the top but could tire out kids quickly, especially on hotter days. It is located near Canal Winchester but worth the drive for the rolling hills and pretty scenary!
Location: 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll
Glacier Ridge Metro Park
We love Glacier Ridge! There are a number of trails, and some are paved. The park also has a dog park, a few playgrounds, and the Challenge Course (which is my daughter’s favorite thing to do at the park). We like to go for a hike, and then head to the Challenge Course to try the various obstacles along the way.
Location: 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd, Plain City
Shale Hollow
Shale Hollow is a great park if you also want to do some creeking and hiking. There are some shorter hiking trails, and a lot of it is shaded. Every time we have been there, the water has been very shallow, so it’s perfect to splash in and play with the rocks. You’ll always want to double check the water levels at the time of your visit. Be sure to pack a change of clothes and water shoes, or dry shoes to change into when you are done.
Location: 6320 Artesian Run, Delaware
Scioto Audubon Metro Park
This is a great option if you’re looking for some hiking right in the middle of Columbus! Located along the banks of the Scioto River just south of downtown Columbus, there is a series of trails that you can hike, as well as the Grange Insurance Audubon Center which offers a variety of programs and events. (check hours for the Center before heading out).
Location: 400 Whittier St, Columbus
Hayden Falls
The highlight here is the waterfall at the end of a short walk on the boardwalk. The waterfall is very pretty after heavy rains, but it’s always worth a visit if you’re looking for a shorter walk with the family. The walk down to the waterfall is about .3 miles. Note, there are a lot of stairs to climb down to get to the boardwalk so this wouldn’t be stroller friendly! For walking kids it’s a fun and short hike with a pay off at the end!
Location: 4326 Hayden Run, Rd, Dublin
Battelle Darby Metro Park
Battelle Darby has a Nature Center, and is also home to Bison. We love combining a hike with watching the Bison in the enclosed pastures. There are a lot of hiking options at this park, and both short and longer hikes available.
Location: 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Blendon Woods also has a Nature Center, and has a fantastic playground that was just built in 2022. There are a number of trails, ranging from .3 miles to 2 miles.
Location: 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus
Taylor Farms Park
Taylor Farms Park in New Albany has a really fun playground, but also some family friendly trails and boardwalks through wetlands. (which are pretty dry at the moment due to the ongoing drought). It’s still a fun spot to take the kids for a walk and then head over to the playground if you want.
Location: 5526 E Dublin Granville Rd, New Albany
Slate Run Metro Park and Living Historical Farm
We love spending time at Slate Run! The hiking trails are so fun and there are lots of pretty features (like the covered bridge pictured below).
Location: 1375 St. Rte 674 North, Canal Winchester
Sharon Woods Metro Park
We love Sharon Woods Metro Park, especially in the fall with the fall colors. There are a number of great hiking trails, most of which are easy or moderate and varying lengths so you can find what you are looking for. We really enjoy fishing at the lake, and there are a few playgrounds, picnic tables and shelters as well.
Location: 6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville
Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve
Gahanna Woods has 1 mile of hiking trails, so it’s a great spot for shorter hikes. It can get muddy after recent rains, so plan accordingly.
1501 Taylor Station Rd, Gahanna
A little further out from Columbus:
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
Blackhand Gorge is home to a bike trail and 10 miles of trail. The Blackhand Trail is a paved trail and is a little longer at 4.3 miles, but we just usually head out and then turn around when we are ready to get back to our vehicle. Although this park is located near Heath, it’s worth the drive for some incredible scenery!
Location: 2200 Gratiot Rd SE, Heath
Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is located in Yellow Springs and is a beautiful area to explore and hike. The parking lot at the primary trail head is $5 to park in so be sure to have cash handy. The proximity to Yellow Springs makes it a fun day trip as you can combine some hiking with lunch or shopping in Yellow Springs, or even a visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy.
Location: 405 Corry St, Yellow Springs
