Sharon Woods Metro Park

Last Updated on August 6, 2023 by Cindy

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.

dirt path covered with dead fallen leaves, wooden tree leaves starting to change color and brown tree trunks. Boy with blue shirt and black shorts walking away from camera

Visit 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. 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!

dirt path covered with dead fallen leaves, wooden tree leaves starting to change color and brown tree trunks.

Sharon Woods Metro Park Video

Sharon Woods Metro Park Trails

There are six trails of various lengths throughout Sharon Woods Metro Park. Three of the trails are considered main trails, the other three as considered “connector” type trails. The trails have a variety of scenery.

We like Sharon Woods Metro Park because it has so many different landscapes: lake, flat, paved, meadow, hills, wooded and more!

The trails are used, so expect to see a few people along the way, but do not be turned away if the parking lots and picnic areas are crowded. Most people tend to stay in the picnic area, versus the trails.

The Edward S Thomas Trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park

The Edward S Thomas Trail is a 1.1 mile trail that is rated as easy. The trail is ADA accessible with a gravel path. The trail takes about 30+ minutes to complete.

The hike goes through the state nature preserve and past very sizable oak trees and an observation deck. Pets are NOT allowed on this trail, only the Spring Creek Trail.

The Multipurpose Trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park

The Multipurpose Trail is 3.8 miles long and rated as a moderate hiking trail. It is also listed as ADA accessible and good for hiking and biking. This trial will take about an hour and 40 minutes to walk.

The multi-purpose trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park is paved (with some uneven places) and is at least 8 feet wide in most spots. The trail loops around the park and passes through fields and woods! You can expect to experience gently small rolling hills as well as some meadow views.

You can expect to see some people on this trail, but you can also expect to enjoy some peace and quiet on the trail. While this trail is open year round, the best time to hike it is March through November. Pets are not allowed on this trail, but they are allowed on the Spring Creek Trail.

paved path with green grass and green trees to the sides.

The Spring Creek Trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park (pet friendly)

The Spring Creek Trail is a 1.8 mile long trail, which takes about 40+ minutes to complete. This easy to moderate trail is perfect for hiking and it is pet friendly. Make sure your pet is on a leash no less than 6 feet long.

This trail is made up of gravel and dirt. The trail is usually NOT crowded, you may encounter a couple of people along the way. This is my personal favorite at this metro park! Be sure to watch for wild turkeys!

It runs alongside Spring Creek and goes through a beautiful forest! You will also cross over two steep hills!

The Lake trail is a 0.4 mile easy rated trail. It is paved and pet friendly. Just like the name indicates, the trail goes around the southern half of Schrock Lake. It is also a connector between Spring Creek Trail and the Edward S Thomas trail.

The Oak Openings trail is a small 0.2 mile easy rated, ADA accessible trail. It is a gravel path and goes through a forest and fields and connects with the longer Edward S Thomas Trail.

The Connector Trail is a 0.3 mile trail. While this shorter trail is labeled as moderate. It is a grass path and connects the Spring Creek Trail and the Edward S Thomas trails.

picture of blue cloudy sky and a reflection of that in water. Trees far across the water in back ground

Sharon Woods Metro Park Shelters

This metro park has both a reservable shelter and non-reservable shelters. The shelters and picnic areas at Sharon Woods Metro Park are extremely popular and oftentimes busy. Keep this in mind if you are planning on using a shelter or picnic space. You may have to arrive a little earlier than you first intended.

The reservable shelter is called Spring Hallow Lodge. This is large. It can hold up to 64 people.

Spring Hallow Lodge has:

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
Accordian wall to partition off the kitchen area
Large Meeting room
Wifi
Tables/chairs
Pull down movie screen and more
Only day-time rentals are available

There are three non-reservable shelters at Sharon Woods Metro Park. There is the Schrock Lake Picnic Area, which has 4 shelters. Two of those shelters are open and each seat 64 people and have 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, playground, a horseshoe pit, restrooms and a drinking fountain.

In the Apple Ridge Picnic Area there is 1 open shelter that seats 64 people and has grills. Also in that area are other picnic tables, more grills, play fields, play ground, horseshoe pits, restrooms and a drinking fountain.

In the Maple Grove Picnic Area there is 1 open shelter that seats 64 people and has grills. Also in that area are other picnic tables, more grills, play fields, play ground, horseshoe pits, restrooms and a drinking fountain.

Fishing at Sharon Woods Metro Park

When fishing all Ohio fishing regulations apply. You will need a valid Ohio fishing license is required (16 and older). You can expect to see bass, bluegill and catfish. Schrock Lake remains stocked with fish.

Natural Play Areas at Sharon Woods Metro Park

The 7.5 acre natural play area is a huge draw at Sharon Woods Metro Park. The natural play area is located on a wooded hillside with a creek. Families can wander off-trail and explore all nature has to offer!

Kids and adults alike can enjoy climbing trees, playing in the creek or mug and just experience nature. To find the Natural Play Area, go to the Apple Ridge Picnic Area and you should spot an entry sign on the right of the lot.

Nature Preserve at Sharon Woods Metro Park

Quietly tucked inside 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. You can also see chinquapin oak 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 to domesticated dogs and cats. Dogs and cats must be on a leash that is less than 6 feet in length. The animals are permitted in picnic areas, parking lots and on roadways in addition to the Spring Creek Trail. You have just under 2 miles of trail that you can share with your leashed pet!

grassy worn path with trees and shurbs on the. Blue cloudly sky

Sledding at Sharon Woods Metro Park

There are two sledding hills at Sharon Woods Metro Park. One of the hills is smaller and considered a bunny hill. This smaller bunny hill is great for smaller children. You can find these sledding hills a short distance from the main park entrance!

What others are saying about Sharon Woods Metro Park

When researching what others thought about Sharon Woods Metro Park, we found that we are in agreement with most of the reviews. We truly enjoy Sharon Woods Metro Park, but do not take it just from us, here is what some other folks are saying about the park.

“Awesome running path!” - MM

“Lovely paved trail, some sections are loud from traffic noise.” - RR (we agree that in some sections of Sharon Woods Metro Park you can hear traffic from Interstate 270, but when you are deeper into the woods on the Spring Creek Trail, you do not hear the road noise.)

“A nice variation of scenery. Colors are beautiful…” - JM

“Nearly 4 miles of beautiful scenery, paved good hills, lots of bunnies, a deer and some funky black turkey birds.” - AM

Upclose of tree trunk that is brown with white spots, bark is very smooth. Branches have green leaves

Where is Sharon Woods Metro Park located?

Sharon Woods Metro Park is located at 6911 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43081 - Website

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 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 and we can get it updated.

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