Hours and Info

April 1-September 30: 6:30am-10pm
October 1-March 31: 6:30am-8pm

Phone: 614-370-6254
Nature Center: 614-878-7106
April-September: 9am-8pm
October-March: 9am-6pm
Reservations: reservations@metroparks.net 

Programs at Battelle Darby Creek

About

Battelle Darby Creek features 7,196 acres of forest, prairies and wetlands. It stretches along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby creeks, both State and National Scenic Rivers. Besides the areas surrounding the creeks, there are also over 1,600 acres of restored wetlands and prairies. Bison have been reintroduced to the park and roam freely within two enclosed pastures.

Trails

Ancient

1.7 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike – Grass and gravel
Runs alongside Darby Creek and loops through fields and woods while passing a reconstructed Fort Ancient mound.
Interactive Map: Ancient

Camp Chase

12.5 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike – Bike – Pets – Paved – ADA
West leg of the Ohio to Erie Trail, a multi-use recreation and transportation trail linking Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.

Cobshell

0.9 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Hilly trail that loops through woods and features a scenic deck overlooking Big Darby Creek.
Interactive Map: Cobshell

Darby Creek Greenway

5 miles
Easy – Hike – Bike – Pets – Gravel – ADA
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.
Interactive Map: Darby Creek Greenway

Dyer Mill

3 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike/cross-country ski – Grass/gravel
Loops through tall grass meadows and a secluded woodlands and dips down to Little Darby Creek.
Interactive Map: Dyer Mill

Edgewood, Lake & Prairie Way

2.3 miles
Easy – Hike – Pets – Grass
Three connected trails that pass through fields and woodlands, around a lake and along Big Darby Creek.
Interactive Maps: Edgewood – Lake – Prairie Way

Harrier Loop, Rail Way & Teal

2.7 miles
Moderate – Hike – Grass
Three connected trails through prairies and wetlands.
Interactive Maps: Harrier Loop – Rail Way – Teal

Hawthorn

0.8 miles
Easy – Hike – Gravel
Loop trail in the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area.

Indian Ridge

0.6 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Runs along Big Darby Creek through fields, woods and connects the Cobshell and Terrace trails.
Interactive Map: Indian Ridge

Osprey Lake

0.5 miles
Easy – Hike – Grass, gravel
Loops around Osprey Lake.
Interactive Map: Osprey Lake

Riffle Run

0.2 miles
Difficult – Hike – Gravel
Steep trail down to Big Darby Creek.
Interactive Map: Riffle Run

Terrace

2.1 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Goes along Big Darby Creek for a ways and loops through a forest.
Interactive Map: Terrace

Turkey Foot

0.5 miles
Easy – Hike – Grass
Loop trail through the prairies and grasslands.
Interactive Map: Turkey Foot

Wagtail

1.9 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike – Pets – Grass
Loops through the prairies.
Interactive Map: Wagtail

Two boys jogging on Darby Creek Greenway Trail at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Photo: Tina Copeland

Canoeists carry their canoe to the water at the Battelle Darby Creek canoe access point. (John Cagnina)
Photo: John Cagnina

Visitors walk their dogs in the fall sunshine at Battelle Darby Creek. (John Nixon)
Photo: John Nixon

Shelters

Reservable Shelters

Shagbark at Battelle Darby Creek

Shagbark

Shelter holds 80 people, has kitchen with sink, charcoal grill, electricity, a large serving counter. Also swing set, horseshoe pits and ADA accessible vault restrooms. Parking for 50 cars. Available All Day or Half Day.

Click here for more information, photos or to reserve.

White Oak Shelter at Battelle Darby Creek

White Oak

Shelter holds 80 people, has kitchen with sink, charcoal grills, electricity and a large serving counter for food. Also has drinking fountain, sand volleyball court with net (no balls provided), horseshoe pit, swing set, ADA accessible vault restrooms. Parking for 40 cars, with two handicap spots. Available All Day or Half Day.

Click here for more information, photos or to reserve.

Cedar Ridge Shelter at Battelle Darby Creek

Cedar Ridge Lodge

Lodge holds 72 people, has a gas fireplace, slide screen, WiFi, restrooms and a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, 30-cup coffee maker, outdoor grills and a deck overlooking Big Darby Creek. Parking for 30 cars. ADA. Available All Day only.

Click here for more information, photos or to reserve.

Non-Reservable Shelters

Indian Ridge Picnic Area

Grills, picnic tables, playfields, playground, drinking fountain, restrooms, horseshoe pits (no horseshoes available).
3 Shelters: Enclosed on three sides, Each shelter seats 16, Grills
1 Open Shelter: Seating 80,  4 Grills
1 Open Shelter: Seating 16, 1 Grill

Cedar Ridge Picnic Area

Picnic tables, playfields, playground, horseshoe pits (no horseshoes available), drinking water, restrooms
1 Small Open Shelter: Seats 24, 2 Grills, 2 Outlets
1 Small Open Shelter: Seats 16, 1 Grill
3 Shelters: Enclosed on three sides, Seats 15-20, Grills
2 Large Open Shelters: Seats 64, 4 Grills, Electricity

Little Darby Day Use Area Offers

Numerous grills, tables, restrooms, trail head (ice skating is located in this area).
1 Shelter: Seating 48, 2 Grills

Photo: Liz Christian

Visitor cooking burgers, sausage and hot dogs on a grill at the Indian Ridge Picnic Area at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Photo: Mike Fetherolf

Activities

Yoga in the Park, in the Cedar Ridge area at Battelle Darby Creek.
Photo: Annette Boose

Canoeists on Big Darby Creek.
Photo: Dale Miller

Experienced backpackers can enjoy 10 miles of primitive backpacking trails along Big and Little Darby creeks. There are four overnight backpacking sites that are available by reservation only. For additional information and to make a reservation visit SignUpGenius.

Ohio to Erie Trail grand opening
Photo: Jackie Armstrong

Camp Chase
12.5 Miles – Paved
West leg of the Ohio to Erie Trail, a multi-use recreation and transportation trail linking Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.

Darby Creek Greenway
5 Miles – Gravel
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.

Canoeists on Big Darby Creek. Photo by Cheryl Blair.
Photo: Cheryl Blair

Access points for Big and Little Darby Creek
Main Park Launch Area: 8465 Alkire Road, Galloway OH 43119
Osprey Lake: 5800 Harrisburg-Georgesville Road, Darbydale OH 43123

The Dyer Mill Ski Trail is reserved for cross-country skiing when snow conditions are right.

Man catches a fish from banks of Big Darby Creek in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Photo: Andrew Boose

Anywhere along Big and Little Darby Creeks
Osprey Lake: 5800 Harrisburg-Georgesville Road, Darby Dale OH 43123
Pleasant Valley Area: 9137 US Route 62, Orient OH 43146

Deer on snowy trail at Battelle Darby Creek. Photo by Kerry Dunn.
Photo: Kerry Dunn

This 800-acre area is open for small game, deer and waterfowl hunting in accordance with all Ohio DNR and Metro Parks rules and regulations. Access areas along S.R. 665 & Harrisburg-Georgesville and Biggart roads.

HUNTING AREA MAP

Pond hockey at Battelle Darby Creek skating pond. Photo by Tina Fronk.
Photo: Tina Fronk

Half-acre, 16-inch-deep pond
3711 Gardner Road, Georgesville OH 43123

This 9-acre area features a ravine, creek and trees for kids and their caregivers to experience unstructured play while exercising their minds as well as their muscles. Indian Ridge Picnic Area. Last parking lot at the end of the roadway.

Living Stream at Battelle Darby Creek

A 53-foot living stream flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek. Natural and cultural history exhibits, many of them interactive, allow visitors to enjoy learning about the wonders of nature.
NATURE CENTER HOURS:
April to September: 9am to 8pm
October to March: 9am to 6pm

People walk their dogs on the Darby Creek Greenway Trail at Battelle Darby Creek. Photo by John Nixon.
Photo: John Nixon

PET TRAILS

Darby Creek Greenway
5 Miles – Easy – Gravel – ADA
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.

Edgewood, Lake & Prairie Way
2.25 Miles – Easy – Grass
Three connected trails that pass through fields and woodlands, around a lake and along Big Darby Creek.

Osprey Lake Trail
0.5 Miles – Easy – Grass
Surrounds Osprey Lake.

Wagtail Trail
1.6 Miles – Easy to Moderate- Hike/Pets – Grass
Loops through the prairies.

DOG SWIMMING

Your pooch can swim in Osprey Lake and in the lake in the Pleasant Valley Area.

Domesticated dogs and cats are also permitted in picnic areas, parking lots and on roadways. Pets shall be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Picnic areas feature shelters, picnic tables and grills, restrooms and a range of amenities that can include playfields, play equipment and horseshoe pits. These are free and available for all to use on a first come-first served basis.

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!