26 Columbus Area Hikes & Trails for Your Family

Scioto Audubon Metro Park is an oasis in the city. Two paved hiking trails loop around the park, but the real attraction is the amenities. There's a fun playground (with an interactive electronic game), teens can try out the rock climbing wall (BYO harness), and there is a smaller 10 foot boulder for younger kids. A parkour-style obstacle course features a tire run, 8-foot wall, tunnel crawl, balance beams, monkey bars, and more. While you're there, check out the nature center, eat lunch at one of the shaded picnic tables, and take in a breathtaking view of the Columbus skyline.

Katie G.:  Opened in 2016, Scioto Grove Metro Park is one of the newest parks of the Columbus Metro Parks system. Located in Grove City, the park features mature trees and scenic bluffs overlooking the Scioto River. There are seven miles of hiking trails through the woods and meadows with several overlook decks, picnic shelters and a fun playground. Scioto Grove is the only Metro Park that allows free overnight backpacking and camping inside the park. Available on the weekends beginning in mid-April through the end of October; call to make reservations

Katie G.:  The Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick creeks all join together at Three Creeks Metro Park. With many trails and bike paths along the rivers, you are sure to see lots of birds and other wildlife. With over 1,100 acres of park, visitors can enjoy biking, canoeing/kayaking and fishing. There is also a pine-forest natural play area for kids (and adults) of all ages to enjoy.

Katie G.:  Located in Southwest Ohio, near Groveport, Walnut Woods Metro Park is divided into three sections featuring woodlands, fields and wetlands. There are several lakes and ponds at the park which is perfect for fishing and canoeing/kayaking. The hiking trails are all easy and pet-friendly so consider bringing your furry friend along. The Buckeye Area of the park has picnic shelters, a playground and 4-acre dog park with a fenced area for dogs to swim. In the wintertime, a smaller hill for sledding is perfect for younger kids.

Hannah Scott:  Waterfalls are often tucked deep into the woods and difficult to reach (especially for younger family members with smaller legs). Since it's located on just 2 acres, Hayden Falls Park gives the whole family a chance to experience a stunning 35-foot waterfall surrounded by a lovely nature preserve. Be ready to snap a family selfie to document the moment!

Katie G.:  If your family likes bird watching then head to Blendon Woods Metro Park. There are two observation shelters and plenty of bird feeders throughout the park. The trails at the park pass through stream filled ravines and ripple rock sandstone, along with open fields and beech, maple and oak-hickory forests. Visitors can enjoy the nature center, disk golf course, playgrounds, picnic tables, and pet-friendly trails. In the winter time, a kiddie sledding hill and ice skating pond are available.

Hannah Scott:  Inniswood is a delightful collection of botanical gardens and trails that span 123 acres. You'll find over 2,000 species of plants as you explore the grounds, including native wildflowers and wildlife. Families will love the children's garden with its interactive water stations and other outdoor play areas designed to inspire the imagination.

Katie G.:  Highbanks (named for the scenic bluffs overlooking the Olentangy River) has some of the best hiking trails in Ohio. It’s a great place for a family nature walk in the woods, with easy, moderate, and challenging trails of all lengths. There's a 15-acre unstructured natural play area, overlook deck, nature center, a full calendar of activities, and plenty of wildlife to discover.

Katie G.:  Set on 643 acres, Blacklick Woods Metro Park has it all when it comes to nature. Woods, fields, seasonal swamp ponds, a small prairie and a golf course cover the park grounds. The large beech-maple forests and buttonbush swamps are filled with bike paths and hiking trails. There are several playgrounds, picnic shelters and a nature center with an observation window to view wildlife. In the winter time, the golf course turns into a sledding hill.

Katie G.:  The largest park in the Columbus area, Battelle Darby Creek sprawls over 7,000 acres along two scenic rivers. Numerous hiking trails range from easy to difficult. The headliners are the park’s bison, returned to the native prairie where their ancestors roamed 200 years ago. Kids love to watch the bison, whether from the observation deck or the park’s amazing nature center, were they can explore interactive exhibits, including a 53-foot long living stream.

Katie G.:  Grab the binoculars and head to Pickerington Ponds Metro Park for some of the best bird-watching in Columbus. Pick up a park brochure filled with a "bird checklist" and head to one of the two observation decks for a spectacular view of some of the 260 species seen at the park. There are plenty of ponds located throughout the park where you may see turtles, fish, deer, beavers, foxes and other wildlife. You can find four easy hiking trails and one 19-mile biking trail in the park along with nature preserve and picnic shelters.

Katie G.:  The wooded, loop trail at Char-Mar Ridge Preserve passes over rolling hills along ridges that were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Head up the wooden staircase in the center of the park to view the wildlife blind where you may see birds, turtles or other wildlife on the pond.

Katie G.:  One of the larger parks in the Columbus area, Alum Creek State Park is a great place to visit. The park has over 4,000 acres of woodlands and fields as well as a large reservoir. There are three easy hiking trails at the park along with one moderate 7-mile multi-use trail. Pack the bikes and take a ride on one of the three mountain bike trails ranging from easy to difficult. Summer activities include boating, fishing, hunting, swimming, disc golf, a dog park and the largest inland beach in Ohio. In the winter time, visitors can go sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Katie G.:  This beautiful park in Powell attracts birds and white-tailed deer, and families can enjoy a couple easy hikes that explore the woods, meadows, wetlands and pond. There's a fun playground with separate climbing walls for little and big kids. A special natural play area includes an earth-covered tunnel and a log obstacle course.

Katie G.:  With more than three miles of hiking trails that wind through woods and fields, Rocky Fork Metro Park is a great place to bring the family. If you have a four-legged furry friend, bring them along as this park offers off-leash trails for dogs and a dog park (note: dog park sometimes closes due to ground conditions. Check website for update). There is also a biking trail, horseback riding trail, picnic shelters and playground at Rocky Fork.