Dyas Fam Does Ohio Hiking/Biking

Lauren Dyas
Oct 12, 2020
10 min read

Updated: Oct 19, 2020

I have another list of parks we've visited as a family! I will continue to post these because guess what?! Covid ain't goin' anywhere (yet). So I'm forecasting a lot of stir crazy people (specifically parents). If you're in Ohio and you need to get the f@#$ outside, then look no further. We've visited what feel like a lot of parks since my last post, so I am not covering all of them, but I’ll hit those that merit a mention. For the fur parent readers, I'll also be including whether the trails we trekked were suitable or welcoming to four-legged children.

Honey Run Park (3/5 stars)

10855 Hazel Dell Rd, Howard, OH 43028

Referred to me by my mom's dear friend, Lisa, Honey Run Park/Falls is less a hike than a jaunt through the woods with pretty scenery. The woods have a fairy tale atmosphere about them. After passing over a small footbridge, the waterfall is almost directly to the right and it's one of the prettier water features we've seen in Ohio. We brought water shoes and hiking shoes for the kids, but hiking shoes were the only ones needed because the rocks in and around the pool are too slippery for little feet. After checking out the waterfall, we took the path down to the Kokosing River, which I now desperately want to kayak/canoe on (it's on my list for summer 2021!).

There were plenty of large rocks and areas to climb for Jack, and a tiny "beach" at the river. However, I was disappointed with the lack of respect for the area, evident by the high volume of litter. I really wish we'd brought gloves and a trash bag because we probably could have filled it up. I don't know if there were teenagers having a party there the day before or if it's always like this, but if you go, come ready with litter picking accouterments. Regardless of the cause of the trash abundance, please practice 'Leave No Trace' when you're outside! I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here but better safe than sorry!

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash here.

Rush Run Park (5/5 stars, always)

Riverlea/Maple Grove Cemetery, Worthington, OH 43085

I might end up regretting sharing Rush Run Park location because it feels "private" to me, but if it helps another family maintain sanity this winter due to it's easy access, then so be it. Also it's almost Halloween and a cemetery is involved, so 'tis the season!

I grew up on Melbourne Place (see the map, pictured below) and I used to frequent these woods and the Maple Grove Cemetery with my best friend in the '90s as a kid. There are a few entrances to these woods, two of which being through the cemetery. The third being a "dead end" pedestrian entrance at the end of Olentangy Blvd in Riverlea. There are plenty of paths through the woods and several options if your kids are looking to play in or near water. There's the Olentangy River, which you'll be directly across from Antrim Park if you choose to hang out here. The Olentangy River borders the west side of the park and Rush Run creek (I used to catch tadpoles here as a kid) runs through the middle of the woods. If you choose to enter the park through Maple Grove Cemetery, note that you’ll need to enter through a hole in a chain link fence (it’s been there for at least 25 years). So maybe I'm encouraging trespassing but I've never seen signs to that effect.

If you're a Worthington resident and you want to get outside with your kids (or solo!) but don't have the time flexibility to drive an hour, I highly recommend visiting this spot. It feels secret, even though you'll see other families and people walking around. I always want to give the other parents I see a "secret nod," because being in here feels like we are in some exclusive, local outdoors club. But I've also become way too socially awkward (as we all have) through Covid and I don't need to come across any weirder than I already do.

I can't find an actual answer as to whether dogs are welcome, however I can attest that I have seen plenty of unleashed and leashed dogs through here. I would suggest keeping dogs leashed.

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve - Bike Path (5/5 stars)

2200 Gratiot Rd SE, Heath, OH 43056

As you may remember, we have hiked Blackhand Gorge before and I mentioned that I wanted to ride bikes here eventually. Well, we did and it was so worth it. We rode 8 (out and back) miles, me pulling Abby in the Burley and Jack and Adam riding tandem using a trailer bike system. The area is very beautiful and follows the Licking River, parts of which there is still evidence of a towpath from the old canal. The stone walls that line the river as well as the path are so beautiful; I now want to go and walk/run this paved path just to be able to see the walls for longer periods of time.

There is a perfectly Instagram worthy area called "The Deep Cut" which has taken over as my homepage photo on this website. The Deep Cut was a giant mass of sandstone that was carved out to make way for the railway system that used to be where the path is now. It sucks that humans come and tear up land to then desert it, but I'm glad that the state had the wherewithal to take this abandoned area and turn it into a vessel for recreation and history lessons combined.

If you have kids and bikes, or even a jogger or stroller of some sort, I highly recommend visiting this Blackhand Gorge Bike path. If you don't have these items but are interested in buying some, I suggest frequenting Facebook Marketplace and searching for used items. We bought our Burley from a friend for a very reasonable price and we were gifted an additional trailer bike from another friend. Kids are always growing and people are always trying to get rid of these things, so keep an eye out! And always wear a helmet.

I would not advise teaching a dog to bicycle. Please leash and walk them.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (4/5 stars)

2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387

As we've continued our family hiking journey, so many friends have asked me if we've visited Clifton Gorge and I always had to say no. Well, not anymore folks! We went on a perfectly misty, late summer Sunday morning when there was no one else at the trail head, which is always great during Covid. We hiked along the gorge path, which is a very high drop off, and so pretty. Since it had rained, the water was rushing through the gorge and the trail was a bit slippery which was a little nerve-racking given Abby has absolutely no fear of...anything. Except spiders and ants.

The path we hiked isn't very long-maybe a mile, but it's worth a drive out to Yellow Springs, as this is a gorgeous hike. Note that you do have to be mentally "on" in order to not plummet down the gorge to your death. There are safety measures in place (fences, prohibited access areas) but any time you mix a three-year-old and steep rock walls, there’s bound to be some anxiety. Our hike took us to an area with facilities, where you can continue down another path for more views. Abby and I stopped to use the facilities, me using the porta-potty which had a gigantic spider waiting for me on the TP roll. I quickly pulled up my pants and ran out. Abby, being a true outdoorswoman, opted to skip the “spider potty” and peed in the woods.

I feel that everyone in Ohio needs to visit this area and then drive through and visit Yellow Springs. We have yet to get outside of the car to walk around the town, because we are too early for anything to be open most times, and also #Corona. But there are a number of trails/parks around this area (see below for another) and it's worth a quick drive!

Clear Creek Metro Park (5/5 stars)

Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149

Clear Creek park is under the Columbus Metro Parks System, although it's very much outside of Columbus. The drive through the park to our eventual parking spot got me excited to hike on the trails. There's a large rock that "welcomes" visitors that you have to drive next to/around. The road follows a wide creek on the left, with a steep incline of trees and foliage on the right. We chose to visit the Lake Trail, of which we hiked about a mile. The trailhead for this path is on the west edge of the park, so there was only one other car where we parked. We started the path with a descent into the woods. The kids were in great moods so we took our time exploring more. We found a large rock that you can climb on top of and a cute little pond to listen to the frogs croak.

We moved up the path, to gain back the elevation we lost upon entering. This is when I realized my cardio system ain't what it used to be. I'm going to start putting together some HIIT workouts that are geared toward hikers because side note-I'm a certified Group Fitness Instructor. I will be posting the timer/workout to my site for anyone to use for free!

Anyway, the trail loops back out to a road and you do have to enter the path into the woods from there. But at this point you're almost "out of the woods" (ha). 10/10 would recommend this area to anyone wanting a medium level hike, and you can make it as long or as short as you want, while getting plenty of views of the big rocks that are predominant in Southeastern Ohio.

Dogs are allowed in this park, but only on the Creekside Meadows Trail which is about a mile long. Worth it.

John Bryan State Park (4/5 stars)

3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Jack turned six in August, and his grandparents gifted him an Ohio State Parks Passport book, which is a great gift idea for anyone who has gotten into Covid Hiking! We were able to check off a few upon receipt. This book is what led us to John Bryan. It's a 45 minute-an hour drive from our house, very close to Clifton Gorge, so we were able to drive through Yellow Springs again and daydream of the day when we can go out in public sans anxiety.

We drove around the park until we decided we'd start at the Story Book Trail, which we surprisingly had never done. Jack enjoyed running to each story board, which described the story of a tree that grows throughout the years. I won't spoil the ending for you. We walked to the end of the story book trail and then found a cut through to the river, which involved traipsing through a steep decline (Adam carried Abby) and coming out to Pitt-Cinci Stagecoach Trail which runs along the Little Miami River. The trail loops back up to the story book trail, where we came back out. There was a well built playground at the entrance/exit of the storybook trail so we let the kids play for a bit.

After getting into the car, we did a quick tour of the campsites at John Bryan, which I wasn't thrilled with. I don't think I would choose this location for tent camping. It was essentially a couple of open fields with some scattered trees. Each campsite appeared to be 30 yards distance from the next. If I'm camping, I don't want to feel like I have neighbors. I want to be alone in the woods, me and my family, fighting in nature in private.

We also drove by a sign that showed "This way to the Observatory," which we'd like to make a return visit for. If you end up going and check out this observatory, let me know how it is!

Pets are welcome on all the trails! Woo-hoo!

Richland B&O Trail -Biking not hiking! (3/5 stars)

Simmons St., just southeast of OH 95/Newville St. (Butler)

Not a hiking trail, but a biking trail! Richland B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) Trail is near Mansfield, about an hour drive from Worthington. We decided to switch it up again with me pulling Abby in the Burley and Adam and Jack riding tandem. We hit the trail at the Butler entrance, just off 71. We rode a total of 12 miles on completely flat terrain, which I really struggled with this day. I don't know if it was because I was starting my period or if I was out of cardio shape, or if my tire was going flat (it wasn't) but I felt like I was pedaling through cement the whole time. Regardless, it was such a nice day for bike ride.

The pros of this trail: it's easily accessible, flat, and you ride through various rural scenic views. There are wooded areas, farms, open county, orchards, plenty of rolling hills and a couple of towns along the way.

The only con was my weak ass cardiovascular system/brain fog combo. We turned around and I was happy to be done with the 12 miles at the end, but I do hope to come back, this time in better cardio shape and not the day before I start my period. TMI? Oh well, I never said I'd practice modesty.

I suggest visiting this trail if you are trying to get a good cardio workout with pretty scenery and fresh air. Maybe you're sick of the Peloton? This is a great alternative.

Again, don't try to get your dog to ride a bike.

Spring Valley Nature Preserve (4/5 stars)

1539 Columbus Rd SW, Granville, OH 43023

Last but not least on this list is Spring Valley. This is a cute wooded nature preserve, but there's nothing spectacular here. The area we hiked felt smaller than most nature preserves we've been to, but the preserve is 45 acres total with a decent number of trails to hike. There is a wild prairie area that you can walk through before you get into the woods, and we visited in late August so all the bee-friendly native flowers were in full bloom. Upon entering, there's a small footbridge over a creek, so if you have kids who enjoy creeking, hop on in. After crossing the bridge, you'll ascend a bit of a climb (for small legs) and there are several paths to choose from. We had to leave shortly after our climb to the top because it was starting to rain.

The other nice thing about this preserve is that it's located just outside of Granville, which is now officially my favorite town in Ohio. If I wasn't so invested in Worthington currently, and trying to establish some change within the current Worthington City Council, I would be demanding we move to Granville. The town is so cute, schools are great, and Denison University is smack dab in the middle. And if you drive outside of the town, near the high school, there is plenty of land to feel like you're right back in the country. But it's all only 30 minutes away from the biggest mall in Columbus!

Dogs are unfortunately not welcome here.

As always, get outside! Let me know if you end up visiting any of these or any other spots you visit that you think we might enjoy. Thanks for reading my blog posts!