Slate Run Metro Park

Slate Run Metro Park is a 1,705+ acre park that features a variety of activities and wildlife. You can hike, walk, bike, visit a working farm, and more!

About Slate Run Metro Park

Slate Run Metro Park is a 1,705+ acre park that features a variety of things to see and visit. You can find open areas of grasslands, wetlands, and meadows, as well as forested areas.

Beech, Oak, Hickory, and Sugar Maple are some of the trees in this park. There is a 156-acre wetland which is home to Sandhill cranes.

Although this park is close to the hustle and bustle of a big city, it is far enough away from the noise pollution that you can truly enjoy the quiet!

A bit of history, the park isn’t actually sitting on top of slate rock, settlers from long ago mistook the dark soil for slate. The soft rock is actually shale!

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

My family and I love spending time at Slate Run Metro Park, with trails from easy to quite difficult, whatever you feel like on a particular day is there for you! Even if you want to bring your furry family, they are welcome on three of the trails. The playground is great for the kids, well equipped and there is also a handicapped swing. The kids enjoy every aspect of a visit to this Metro Park, and so do the adults! Do take a picnic if you intend to spend a while here.

horizontal photo of two benches on the banks of the lake at Slate Run Metro Park with grass in the foreground and trees and foliage in the background

Trails

The metro park has 9 trails, with varying degrees of difficulty. You will find easy, moderate, and difficult trails here.

Bobolink Grassland Trail

1¾ miles | Easy | Hike | Grass | ADA

The path is ADA-accessible and winds through beautiful grassland, leading to an observation deck where hikers can view the wetlands. There is not much shade available on this trail.

Covered Bridge Trail

¾ miles | Easy | Hike | Pets | Dirt

A ¾-mile flat, dirt trail that is rated as easy. It is a moderately trafficked trail. The hike goes through the Blackburn Covered Bridge and connects hikers with the Shagbark Trail. Dogs are welcome on this trail.

Kokomo Trail

1½ miles | Easy | Hike | Grass, Dirt, Boardwalk

Kokomo Trail is a 1½-mile easy hike through grass, dirt, and boardwalk. This trail is great for all skill levels. The trail takes hikers through the wetlands with multiple observation decks to watch for wildlife. It is also a great trail to spot beautiful wildflowers!

Sassafras Trail

2½ miles | Horseback Only

This is a 2½-mile horseback riding trail only. It is made up of grass, dirt, and gravel. The bridle trail goes through forest and meadows.

Sugar Maple Trail

1½ miles | Moderate to Difficult | Hike | Dirt, Gravel

Sugar Maple Trail is a 1½-mile, moderate to difficult one-way trail. It is a dirt and gravel trail that crosses Slate Run Creek and several steep hills. This trail is a great one to spot wildlife.

Shagbark Trail

½ mile | Easy | Hike | Pets | Gravel, Dirt

This is a ½-mile easy hike on a gravel path. It is pet-friendly and is a loop trail that goes through forest and meadows.

Lake Trail

½ mile | Easy | Hike | Pets | Paved

Lake Trail is a ½-mile easy flat paved and boardwalk hiking trail that is pet-friendly It leads to Buzzard’s Roost Lake.

Five Oaks Trail

1½ miles | Moderate to Difficult | Hike | Gravel

A 1½-mile trail that is moderate to difficult. It is a gravel trail that goes through a steep ravine with black shale outcrops. This trail features a natural play area and a river.

Camp Starview Trail

2 miles | Moderate to Difficult | Hike | Grass, Dirt, Gravel

The Camp Starview Trail is a 2-mile, moderate to difficult hike. The trail surface is grass, dirt, and gravel. It goes through ravines and over steep hills. It is only open to groups renting the Youth Camp.

Shelters

There are two non-reservable shelters at Slate Run Metro Park.

Shady Grove Picnic Area
You can find picnic tables, playground equipment for the kids, a small playfield, restrooms, and one open shelter. The shelter has electrical outlets and can seat 80.

Buzzard’s Roost Picnic Area
In this area you can find picnic tables, playfields, a drinking fountain, playground equipment, restrooms, and a 14-acre lake. The lake has two children’s fishing docks (for ages 15 and younger) and a lakeside boardwalk. There is 1 open shelter that has 4 small grills and electrical outlets. The shelter can seat a maximum of 200.

Natural Play Area

There is a 7-acre natural play area at Slate Run Metro Park. It is a wooded hillside with a creek. Families can explore and have fun in the outdoors with natural play. You can access this area from the Shady Grove Picnic Area. Simply walk past the observation deck on the Five Oaks Trail and head to the bottom of the hill.

Slate Run Farm

horizontal photo of one of the buildings at the Slate Run Historical Farm, with grass in the foreground

One of the biggest draws to Slate Run Metro Park is the Slate Run Historical Farm. Visitors are transported back in time to the 1880s era. They can see what a working historical farm looks like. The farm staff are volunteers.

Visitors to Slate Run Historical Farm can interact with the animals and learn about life and work on the farm. The volunteers there dress in period clothing to keep the feel of the 1880s farm.

All of the farm work, such as planting, growing, harvesting, etc. uses the same methods as in the 1880s.

Admission to Slate Run Farm is free. For more information, visit here.

Slate Run Farm Video