Highbanks Metro Park

Highbanks Metro Park in central Ohio has unique natural features and an extensive and diverse network of trails that take you through these features. The park covers an area of 1,200 acres.

About Highbanks Metro Park

Highbanks Metro Park is the most visited Metro Park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system, attracting around one million visitors annually.

It is named for its 100-foot high shale bluff that towers over the Olentangy State Scenic River. At Highbanks, you will find ravines, meadows, dense forests, and Indian burial mounds. The trails will take you to the top of the bluff, where you are treated to the most amazing views.

The bluffs at Highbanks are made up of limestone, Ohio black shale as well as Olentangy shale. The observation deck on top of the high bluff was used by natives to keep lookout.

Highbanks Metro Park contains a nature center, a sledding hill, a natural play area as well as the Edward F Hutchins State Nature Preserve.

Two of the earthworks – Highbanks Metropolitan Park Mounds I and II – and the Highbank Park Works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Edward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve

This nature preserve within Highbanks Metro Park covers an area of 206 acres. It is situated on the 100-foot-high bluffs, overlooking the Olentangy State Scenic River. The woodland areas contain a mixture of older and younger trees, predominantly oak, maple, and hickory.

This preserve also offers plant lovers a huge variety, with 45 trees, 22 shrubs, and 144 herbaceous species. One of the Highbanks Metro Park’s Indian mounds is to be found here.

Natural Features in Highbanks Metro Park

Highbanks is home to a pair of Bald Eagles that have hatched eaglets since 2010. There are also two large sycamores, reportedly 500 years old, and with a circumference of 23-24 feet.

The deep ravines in Highbanks Metro Parks are thought to be 10,000 years old and have been carved by glacial meltwater.

Concretions

Concretions are one of the unique geological features at Highbanks Metro Park, they are formed by mineral cement in spaces between rocks or soil. They are usually spherical and sometimes have a fossil inside.

Basically, there has to be something inside them. This could be a leaf, a tooth, a piece of shell, etc. Whatever is inside a concretion is what encourages the concretion to form around it.

In the 1980s, an eroding concretion in Highbanks Metro Park split in half. Inside was the jawbone of a Dinichthys – a prehistoric fish. This discovery is on display at the nature center.

Wading and Paddling in the Water

When you visit Highbanks Metro Park, be sure to take your rainboots, as there are opportunities to walk or go creeking in the water. If you are near loose shale stones, you can skim them across the water – this is great fun for kids and adults alike!

Trails

There are nine trails at Highbanks Metro Park, ranging from easy to moderate/difficult. Pets and bikes are welcome on some trails, and a couple of the trails are also wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

Big Meadows Path

• 1 mile | Easy | Hike | Bike | Pets | Paved

This is an easy loop trail that is just over a mile long. It goes through meadows and playfields. Pets and bikes are both welcome on this trail. Expect this walk to take around 30 minutes.

Dripping Rock Trail

• 2½ miles | Moderate to Difficult | Hike | Gravel

The Dripping Rock trail is a loop trail that goes through a forest and passes steep ravines. Along the trail, there are two further loops that you can take – if you do, your hike will be 3.8 miles long. Pets and bikes are not permitted on this trail. You can expect your walk to take nearly two hours if you include the two extra loops.

Multi-Use Trail

• 1¼ miles | Easy | Hike | Bike | Pets | Paved

This is an easy one-way trail that is a little more than a mile long and goes through woods and fields. Pets and bikes are welcome on this trail. Expect this hike to take around 40 minutes.

Overlook Trail

• 2¼ miles | Moderate to Difficult | Hike | Gravel

The Overlook Trail is an out-and-back trail that is 2¼ miles long and goes through the Edward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve and to the observation deck on the 100-foot bluff. Pets and bikes are not permitted on this trail. You can expect this hike to take around one hour.

Sycamore Trail

• 1 mile | Easy | Hike | Jog | Gravel

This is a loop trail that starts from the parking lot at the River Bluff area and winds through a forest of sycamore, buckeye, and cottonwood. There is a stretch of this trail that runs alongside the river. This trail is also wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

Coyote Run

• 3½ miles | Moderate | Hike | Pets | Cross-Country Ski | Grass and Dirt

The Coyote Run is an out-and-back trail that is 3½ miles long and goes through woods and fields. The start point is at the Nature Center. The trail has two main loops and one small loop. Pets are welcome on this trail, but please note that the Coyote Run trail is in use for cross-country skiing in the winter months when conditions are suitable. This hike will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Oak Coves Path

• ½ mile | Easy | Hike | Bike | Pets | Paved

An easy, short hike, this trail passes through meadows and playing fields. Pets and bikes are welcome on this trail. You can expect this hike to take around 15 minutes.

Scenic River Trail

• ½ mile | Easy | Hike | Pets | Gravel

As the name suggests, this short trail runs alongside the river and through some forest. Dogs are welcome, and this trail is also wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

Wetland Spur Trail

• ½ mile | Easy to Moderate | Hike | Grass and Dirt

The Wetland Spur trail is a one-way trail that is just short of half a mile long, and it goes through woodland to a wetland with an observation deck. This walk will take around 15 minutes.

A map of the park and trails is available to download/print.

Facilities

There are both reservable and non-reservable shelters available:

Reservable Shelters

There are three reservable shelters here:

• Mansion holds 100 people and has one grill with an outdoor kitchenette. There is a sink, electricity, a stone fireplace, a drinking fountain, an outdoor firepit and there is also a play area.
• Northern holds 120 people and has two grills, electricity, a stone fireplace, as well as a wood-burning stove. There is a sink as well as a small counter, an outdoor fire pit, and a brick patio. Playground equipment, large playfield, volleyball posts, and net.
• Nature Center Multipurpose Room is a meeting room with a maximum capacity of 99. ADA accessible.

Non-Reservable Shelters

There are two areas of the park that contain 11 non-reservable shelters.

• Oak Coves Picnic Area has picnic tables, grills, large playfields, and playground equipment. There are two shelters, each seating 64 people. ADA accessible.
• Big Meadows Picnic Area offers seven small shelters seating 16 each and two open shelters seating 64 each. They have grills, large playfields, and playground equipment and are ADA-accessible.

Activities

• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Day Camps
• Fishing
• Natural Play Area
• Nature Center
• Sledding
• Cross-Country Skiing

Highbanks Metro Park offers seasonal activities and programs. Visit their website to see if anything is happening when you plan to visit.

Where is Highbanks Metro Park Located?

There are three entrances to Highbanks Metro Park, depending on what you want to do during your visit.

• Highbanks Metro Park Main Entrance:
  9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
• Dragonfly Day Camp Entrance:
  685 W. Powell Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
• River Bluff Area Entrance:
  8400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235
• Phone: 614-906-3149 | Website | Facebook

Location Map for Highbanks Metro Park

Let’s Visit Highbanks Metro Park!

Have you visited Highbanks Metro Park? Or any of the other Metro Parks in the area? We’d love to hear about your experiences! Leave us a comment below.

Central Ohio has so many things to do. Lancaster in Fairfield County is known as the gateway to the Hocking Hills area and is known for its glass industry. Check out our Things To Do In Lancaster, Ohio, article. In the winter months, you may choose to visit Highbanks for sledding. There are many sledding hills all over Ohio, so there is probably one or more near you!

There are, of course, more Metro Parks in the area, such as Slate Run Metro Park and Sharon Woods Metro Park. Get out and enjoy the nature in your area!