Sharon Woods Metro Park
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Sharon Woods Metro Park is a 761-acre metro park featuring an 11-acre lake, plenty of hiking trails, and the Edward Thomas Nature Preserve.
About Sharon Woods Metro Park
Sharon Woods Metro Park is a 761-acre park featuring an 11-acre lake, plenty of hiking trails, and the Edward Thomas Nature Preserve. This metro park is located in Westerville, just off of Interstate 270.
One unique tidbit about this metro park is that it is surrounded by the city, unlike many of the other Metro Parks in the area. Though it is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Interstate 270 on one side and Westerville on the other, you can literally transport yourself out of the hectic fast-paced world for a quick hike!
There are activities for everybody at Sharon Woods Metro Park. You can walk, hike, bike, fish, picnic, sled in the winter, walk your dog, participate in the fitness station, and more.
Whether you are looking for an adventurous day in the forest, a quick hike through nature, or a family picnic in the park, Sharon Woods Metro Park is the place for you!
Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!
Sharon Woods Metro Park is massive! With numerous trails, picnic areas, and more, it’s quite expansive. I recommend planning your activities beforehand so that you don’t have to make spontaneous decisions on the spot. In my opinion, it’s stunning regardless of the time of year, offering beauty all year round.
Sharon Woods Metro Park Video
Trails
There are six trails of various lengths. Three of the trails are considered main trails, and the other three are ‘connector’ type trails. The trails have a variety of scenery.
The Edward S Thomas Trail
– 1.1 mile | Easy | ADA accessible | 30 minutes
Multipurpose Trail
– 3.8 miles | Moderate | ADA accessible | Biking | 40 minutes
Spring Creek Trail
– 1.8 miles | Easy to Moderate | Dogs on a leash | 40 minutes
Lake Trail
– 0.4 miles | Easy | Dogs on a leash | Connects with Spring Creek and Edward Thomas Trails
Oak Openings
– 0.2 miles | Easy | ADA accessible | Connects with Edward Thomas Trail
Connector Trail
– 0.3 miles | Moderate | Connects with Spring Creek and Edward Thomas Trails
Shelter Houses
This metro park has a reservable shelter and three non-reservable shelters. The shelters and picnic areas are extremely popular and oftentimes busy.
Spring Hollow Lodge
This is a large reservable shelter. It can hold up to 64 people. It features:
- Lounge area
- Gas fireplace
- Coffee table, sofa, chairs
- Wildlife Observation Window
- Kitchenette with:
- full-size refrigerator
- sink
- microwave, and more
- 50-cup auto-drip coffee urn
- Accordion wall between lounge and kitchen
- Large Meeting room
- Wifi
- Tables/chairs
- Pull-down movie screen
- Only day-time rentals are available
Schrock Lake Picnic Area
Schrock Lake Picnic Area has four non-reservable shelters Two of those shelters are open and each seats 64 people and has grills. The other two shelters are enclosed on three sides, seat 16 people, and have grills. In the Schrock Lake Picnic Area, there are plenty of picnic tables, grills, a large playfield, a playground, a horseshoe pit, restrooms, as well as a drinking fountain.
Ridge Picnic Area
There is 1 open shelter in the Ridge Picnic Area that seats 64 people and has grills. Also in this area are other picnic tables, more grills, play fields, a playground, horseshoe pits, restrooms, and a drinking fountain.
Maple Grove Picnic Area
This area has 1 open shelter that seats 64 people and has grills. Also in this area are other picnic tables, more grills, play fields, a playground, horseshoe pits, restrooms, and a drinking fountain.
More Activities at Sharon Woods
- Fishing (regulations apply and a license is required)
- Natural Play Area (7.5 acres on a wooded hillside)
- Sledding (two hills, one smaller ‘bunny hill’, and one larger)
Edward S Thomas State Nature Preserve
Within Sharon Woods Metro Park is the 320-acre Edward S Thomas State Nature Preserve. Unique to this preserve are eight different species of oak trees. Some of those oak trees are more than 250 years old!
You will also see large hickory trees, maple trees, and beech trees. There are chinquapin oak trees reaching more than 100 feet high that you can spot on the northern loop of the preserve trail.
Pets at Sharon Woods Metro Park
Sharon Woods Metro Park is pet-friendly for domesticated dogs and cats. Dogs and cats must be on a leash that is less than 6 feet in length. The animals are welcome in picnic areas, parking lots, and on roadways in addition to the Spring Creek Trail and Lake Trail. You have just under 2 miles of trail that you can share with your leashed pet!
Where is Sharon Woods Metro Park located?
- Address: 6911 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43081
- Phone: 614-315-5520 | Website | Facebook
Location Map for Sharon Woods Metro Park
Let’s Go to Sharon Woods Metro Park!
Have you been to Sharon Woods Metro Park for a hike or a picnic? Chances are you have driven past it on Interstate 270 and did not even know it! If you have been, we would love to hear what activity you enjoyed! Drop us a comment below!
If you want to learn more about Ohio’s Metro Parks visit Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Scioto Grove Metro Park, Three Creeks Metro Park, Rocky Fork Metro Park, and Blendon Woods!
Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.
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