Family Friendly Central Ohio Hiking Trails

A few friends have asked me for suggestions where to hike with their kids because of the number of photos I've posted on Instagram of our family hikes from the past two months. So I'm going to share my list of personal favorites, pros and cons and anything you should know ahead of time so that you're prepared! I'll also let you know approximate mileage we managed for each hike (it differs day to day depending on moods, hanger, sleep/nap schedule, etc.). I've listed these in order of Metro Parks, which are more populated, to the less dense park and paths. Please also know that this list is scratching the surface of the available trails, parks and preserves in Ohio. I hope this helps interested families get outdoors and enjoy their surroundings during this weird time of Covid-19. And I am by no means a professional hiker; just a mom who wants my kids to get the hell outside so we don't all lose our marbles.

Highbanks Metro Park (2.5/5 stars)

9466 Columbus Pike, Columbus, OH

Highbanks is probably one of the best known parks to anyone who lives in the Northern area of Columbus as it's right off Route 23, just north of 270. It's easily accessible, has multiple very well maintained trails (one of which allows pets) and little kids can handle the majority of the trails. The downside is that it's easily accessible and little kids can handle the trails (HA!). So if you're looking for a quarantine hike, I wouldn't recommend Highbanks unless you are able to go during a weekday when there will be less foot traffic. The most we've managed at Highbanks in one go is probably two miles and that included a decent amount of hills that are slightly difficult for little legs. So gauge your kid(s) and what they can handle the day of your adventure. Another pro - the park offers trails with many different characteristics. So if you're looking for a prairie, an eagles nest viewing deck, water, old burial grounds, etc., you will have plenty to discover!

Sharon Woods Metro Park (3.5/5 stars)

6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH

Another familiar haunt for many Northern Columbusonians (I know that's not a word). Located off 270 and Cleveland Ave., this is another super family friendly location. We typically head to the Natural Play area which is the first right turn you can take after entering the park. I like this play area because it feels authentically natural, like a group of kids happened to be playing there a few weeks before and left it with a bunch of wooden structures they built haphazardly, but not like a group of engineers came in to design a "natural" play area. If you continue through the natural play area, you can essentially walk through the woods on a not so structured path, which I like. It reminds me of the woods in the neighborhood I grew up in. There is a small stream running through this area as well, so if it's warm, go creeking! The cons for this location are the fact that it's easily accessible, so again if it's during quarantine, try to plan for the less busy times (Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm). MAJOR PLUS is that it's closish to the Westerville Northstar Cafe, and they do curbside pick up and have a user-friendly app, so that's always our big reward after a little family hike! We usually only manage what is probably a mile hike total but there are plenty of stopping points for kids to explore.

Blendon Woods Metro Park (2/5 stars)

4265 E Dublin Granville Rd., Westerville, OH

We actually haven't been here during quarantine, but we went a few weeks prior and I like this park for it's more structured natural play area (including a fun zip line!). However, I've been told that it's been busy through quarantine so that's a big con. I don't plan on making a trip here due to the busy-ness of it, but if you're looking for a fun hike after things open up more, I suggest taking kids here! The path where the natural play area is short (maybe .25 mile) but you have the option to go farther, which we did a few years ago, which includes traipsing through a creek, up a mud wall (I did this with Abby attached to me; I was sweaty). Another pro; there are wild turkeys in Blendon Woods, so you can play I spy wildlife while there.

Glacier Ridge Metro Park (2/5 stars)

9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., Dublin, OH

We initially visited this park because I REALLY wanted to try out the obstacle course but we went on a windy/wet/cold day and none of us were really having it, so I can't accurately give a good recommendation. The thing I noticed about this park was the lack of nature, (again, this is all only my perspective). It felt more commercial than primitive, and I'm personally not a big fan of the "fancier" parks. I want to feel like I might have to pee in the woods with limited resources. I understand this is probably weird for most people as society cherishes things like plumbing, so if nice facilities are your thing, try it out! As with all the other metro parks, it was crowded, even on that wet/windy/cold day, so I plan to keep us away until quarantine is finito and it's nicer out. I can say the obstacle course was really cool for adults. For little kids, not so much. I think the threshold for this course to be fun is probably seven years old. I'd like to go back when the kids are older and we don't have the threat of a global pandemic looming over us.

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park (4/5 stars)

1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH

Major plus right off the bat, is they have bison roaming at this park that the kids can watch from a viewing deck. You can then hike down a trail which will lead you to Big Darby creek, which is about the size of the Olentangy River in the park. The trail itself is probably a mile roundtrip, and includes a steepish incline for little legs, so be ready to have to carry someone up or down the hill. The big con is the same as the other metro parks; it can be crowded. We went on a Monday at 3 pm though, so there weren't many people there aside from one group, and it was easy enough to social distance. So plan accordingly to ensure proper social distancing requirements! The trail itself is fairly rugged, similar to Sharon Woods natural play area. If you happen to go and it's crowded, stay in your car and check out the bison, your kids will at least think that's cool and you got them out of the house. Win/win.

Rocky Fork Metro Park (3/5 stars)

7180 Walnut St, Westerville, OH

This was another park that I would consider "fancy" with nice facilities and paved trails. However, we went off the beaten path and hiked a grassy mile loop located in a prairie. We went on a sopping wet day and I was wearing running shoes. This was the moment I decided to invest in hiking boots. My feet were wet and cold and I was honestly whining more than my kids, so @Merrell if you want to sponsor this I won't be mad. We were continuously quoting the words from We're Going on a Bear Hunt, so if your kids are fans of the book, this area is reminiscent of it with different types of grass, mud, water (a very small bridge over a small marshy wetland area; don't get too excited). I'd like to visit again when it's warmer and do this same walk, hopefully ending with dry feet. We didn't encounter many other people the day we went (big pro!), which was a Tuesday around 3 pm, so again, try to go during the "off" hours.

Walnut Ridge Metro Park - Tall Pines Area (5/5 stars)

6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport, OH

By far my favorite location in Central Ohio at this point. Please pay close attention to the "Tall Pines Area"-I haven't been to the main Walnut Ridge Metro Park so I can't speak to it. But Tall Pines is a paved, 1.5ish mile loop, so if you need a stroller friendly park, this is the one. The first time I went I took the kids solo and I ended up carrying Abby almost the entire way, so be prepared and have a wheeled option ready! We've also taken their scooters on the loop and they love it. The best quality about this park is the Tall Pines are which is just what it sounds like, an area with beautiful tall pine trees. It feels like you're in a new age Hansel and Gretal. Another major pro, there are hardly ever many people there so it's a perfect social distancing option*. Overall, the fact that it's paved, the loop is the perfect distance for little ones, and the minimal human contact makes it perfect in my opinion.

*We have only been early in the morning (8-9 am) so don't quote me on that if you go later in the day!

Little Lyons Falls - Mohican (3/5 stars)

Lyons Falls Trail, Perrysville, OH

This one is a one-hour drive for us, so keep that in mind if you decide to go here. It also had pretty high foot traffic when we went, which was a nice Sunday afternoon. Given it's easy access and equal distance from Cleveland and Columbus, it might be a good option for a less busy time on a weekday. The trail itself is fairly technical for little feet (see photos; Abby was obsessed with jumping over all the roots). Abby and I actually didn't even make it to the falls because there were so many people that it was difficult to both socially distance and control a wily three year old on a rooted trail. So Adam and Jack ventured forward and visited the falls, which look cool in photos (lol but also FOMO). We probably managed a solid two miles, one of which Adam and I took turns carrying Abby. I suggest visiting this path if you want a long drive and can go during a weekday to avoid any crowds.

Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve (5/5 stars)

2340 Meister Rd SW, Lancaster, OH

Another decent drive, about an hour from us in Worthington, but well worth the travel time. This is another big favorite because of lack of human interaction (we saw six people; I counted) as well as the views which I honestly wasn't expecting. This hike will take you to a massive rock that overlooks the area. The hike up the rock is technical, Jack (5) handled it well, Abby (3) was carried by Adam the entire way up and down. In order to get to the trail which takes you to the rock, it's a solid one mile hike one way. So Adam was not needing an upper body workout that day given the fact that he was the sole child carrier. I'm going to take this opportunity to say that if you need a baby/toddler carrier, please get one. Go to your nearest REI and have them help you! We just don't want to invest since Abby is three and will grow out of one soon; that's all. We went on a Sunday morning around 8 am, which I think we will do again at some point when there is more foliage to take in. I highly suggest going here if you need drive, want a good full body workout (you WILL carry a child if you don't have the carrier and there are some decent inclines) and really want to get a dose of gratitude for the nature in our state.

If you've managed to read this far, thank you! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, suggestions or secret trails no one knows about.