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 Interstate 270. 

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! 

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:

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 the 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

This 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 team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

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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! 

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

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. Visit the farm website page for more information

Slate Run Farm Video

Slate Run Metro Park Quick Facts

Where is Slate Run Metro Park located?

• Metro Park and Farm:
  Address: 1375 State Route 674 North, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
• Wetlands:
  Address: 11140 Winchester Road, Ashville, Ohio 43103
• Phone: 614-329-1392 | Website | Facebook

Location Map for Slate Run Metro Park

Let’s Go to Slate Run Metro Park!

Have you been to Slate Run Metro Park? We want to know what. you liked and enjoyed during your visit. Drop us a comment below to let us know!

If you love hiking or being outdoors be sure to check out our Ohio Metro Parks Category where you can learn about all the central Ohio metro parks, including the beautiful Prairie Oaks Metro Park. If you are ever in Yellow Springs, be sure to check out our Yellow Springs Hiking Guide!

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About Three Creeks Metro Park

Three Creeks Metro Park covers more than 1,100 acres in Groveport, Ohio with multiple entrances. The park is named after the three creeks that meet here: Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Blacklick Creek. 

If you want to see where the three creeks meet, the best spot is from the Bluebell Trail which happens to be our favorite trail there! 

Three Creeks Metro Park is full of trails of various lengths, ponds, a dog park, and plenty of activities!

Trails at Three Creeks Metro Park

9 trails at Three Creeks Metro Park vary from easy to moderate difficulty levels. Most trails here offer stunning views of the park, the confluence of the three creeks, as well as wildlife such as beaver, mink, coyote, and deer. More than 100 species of birds have been spotted here, and trees, wildflowers, and foliage are abundant.

A printable Three Creeks Metro Park Map is available.

Activities and Facilities

With three creeks and some ponds, water activities feature at this Metro Park, as well as picnicking, play areas, and more.

Canoeing, Kayaking, and Fishing

There are no canoe and kayak rentals available, but you can bring your own. The access point is at Alum Creek, leading to Big Walnut Creek, where the exit point is.

Fishing is available on the creeks and at Heron Pond and Turtle Pond for fishermen with a valid Ohio fishing license.

Robert ‘Tad’ Jeffrey Off-Trail Reserve

This area is located in the center of the Confluence loop trail, right at the confluence of the three creeks. Here, visitors are encouraged to go off-trail, bushwhack through the foliage, get muddy, and swing from tree branches. You will not leave this area clean!

Natural Play Area

This is a 12-acre natural play area for kids to have fun with nature. Located along the Confluence loop trail.

Picnicking

There are two picnic areas in the park. One is in the Madison Mills area, with a playground and seasonal restrooms. The other is in the Confluence Trails area with a playground, restrooms, and a non-reservable shelter house which is enclosed on three sides, seats 16, and has grills.

Three Creeks Metro Park Video

Where is Three Creeks Metro Park Located?

Three Creeks Metro Park has four addresses:

• Three Creeks: 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
• Heron Pond: 3400 Williams Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
• Canoe Access: 2820 Watkins Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
• Canoe Exit: 4999 Old Rathmell Court, Groveport, Ohio 43125
• Website | Facebook

Location Map for Three Creeks Metro Park

Let’s Visit Three Creeks Metro Park!

Have you visited Three Creeks Metro Park? What do you love most about it? Leave a comment below and share your experience – we would love to know!

Whilst you’re in the Columbus region, you might like to check out the historic Ohio Village. If you love Metro Park adventures, Clear Creek is another great day out!

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 team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Three Creeks Metro Park appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.