Hours and Info

Year-round: 6:30am-dark
Phone: 614-565-1539

About

Metro Parks has turned an abandoned quarry into a recreation destination for Franklin County residents and beyond. Quarry Trails, the 20th Metro Park, is located within 5 miles of 350,000 residents, fulfilling a need for access to a park in this area and having a Metro Park within 5 miles of every Franklin County resident. Current amenities at the 182-acre park include trails, observations areas, a single-track mountain bike trail, a picturesque 25-foot waterfall and lakes.

Located on the site of the Marble Cliff Quarry, which was once the largest contiguous quarry in the United States, it provided limestone for over a century that was used to build the Ohio Statehouse, roads, buildings and many other places in central Ohio. Funding for the park is a result of the generosity of Franklin County residents through their support of our tax levy and grants.

Construction vehicles and workers will still be present, so please use caution when in the park.

Rangers and staff are here to assist you, so please follow their direction.

Photo: Jeff Scovronski

Photo: Steve Boniface

Park Map

Click the map below for a zoomed/enlarged version

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Trails

Boardwalk

0.09 miles
ADA – Pets
ADA accessible from Lake Area parking lot

Connector Trails

0.35 miles
Paved – Pets
Paved in Lake Area

Flat Rocks Trail

0.25 miles
Paved – Pets

Lake View Trail

0.3 miles
Paved – Pets

Millikin Falls Lower Trail

0.75 miles
Paved – Pets

Millikin Falls Upper Trail

0.05 miles
Paved – Pets

Observation Trail

0.1 miles
Paved – Pets

Tall Wall Trail

0.75 miles
Paved – Pets

Quarry Trails Stairs
Photo: Larry Hamill

Activities

Quarry Trails Biker

General Fishing: Fishing is permitted in the quarry lakes, but no live bait is allowed to be used. Metro Parks ponds and lakes do not require fishing licenses as fishing is catch and release and catches cannot be taken away from the park.

For any river, creek or waterways, anyone above the age of 15 must have a valid Ohio fishing license from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Metro Parks does not have sole jurisdiction over rivers and waterways, and any restrictions that apply to rivers, creeks or waterways are applied by the State of Ohio and ODNR (i.e. Fishing on the Scioto River requires a valid Ohio fishing license and all bag limits must be observed).

Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is not permitted at Metro Parks due to safety concerns.

Biker at Quarry Trails Metro Park.

The rugged 0.75-mile mountain bike trail can be accessed from the park entrance at 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus.

Paddle boarders on the quarry lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park.
Photo: Mike Yearling

The quarry lakes are great for canoeists and kayakers. Bring your own non-motorized craft to float at Turtle Cove or on Swan Lake, or look for a program from Metro Parks’ Outdoor Adventure team.

PET TRAILS

Domesticated dogs and cats are permitted on trails, in parking lots and on roadways. Pets shall be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. The central section of the park features a fenced, off-leash dog park.

Climbers on the last section of the via ferrata at Quarry Trails Metro Park, with rock-embedded rungs up to the suspension bridge and the final ladder exit.

The Quarry Trails via ferrata route includes 1,040 feet of cabled climbing using metal rungs, ladders and fixed cables as a means of climbing over intermediate rocky terrain. The route includes a 90-foot treadway suspension bridge situated 105 feet above a scenic pond, two aerial walkways and a 54-foot steel staircase.

Due to the unique nature of the via ferrata, access is only available through program registration. Visitors can enjoy the via ferrata on fully guided programs by reservation with the Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure team.

  • It takes an average of 90 minutes to complete the route.
  • Users must be at least 14 years of age, weigh between 88 and 265 pounds and be at least 5 feet tall. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here for more information

The sledding hill can be accessed at 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, and is across from the mountain bike area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! As of November 30, 2021, Quarry Trails Metro Park is open for guests to experience and enjoy. This phase one opening includes access to trails, a mountain bike course and fishing at the lakes.

The main entrance to Quarry Trails is 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (This is also the Mountain Bike Area entrance). The Millkin Waterfall Access parking lot is at 2158 Old Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228. The Lake Area parking lot is at 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228.

Quarry Trails is open from 6:30am until dark.

Quarry Trails is Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks 20th park in the district. Metro Parks has turned an abandoned quarry into a recreation destination for residents of Franklin County and beyond. This centrally located park is unique as it is located within 5 miles of 350,000 residents, fulfilling a need for access to a park in this area and having a Metro Park within 5 miles of every Franklin County resident.

Marble Cliff Quarry, the current location of Quarry Trails Metro Park, was once the largest contiguous quarry in the United States. For over a century, it provided limestone that was used to build the Ohio Statehouse, roads, buildings and many other structures in Central Ohio.

Funding for the park is a result of the generosity of Franklin County residents through their support of our tax levy and grants.

Several trails are open for walking, hiking and enjoying the scenery and a mountain bike trail is open for adventure enthusiasts. In addition, there is a picturesque 25-foot waterfall and lakes for fishing.

Not every part of Quarry Trails Metro Park is open to guests as it is still an active construction site as well as an active quarry.

Quarry Trails Metro Park has specific and designated trails open to guests. Please stay on the trails and follow all Metro Parks Rules & Regulations, including following signage and adhering to safety signage and barricades.

Yes. Work continues on other areas of the park and includes other amenities such as picnic areas, a sledding hill, a dog park and more. During this time, construction vehicles and workers may still be present, so please use caution when in the park.

November 30 is a soft opening date for the park and we look forward to hosting a grand opening for all guests and community leaders to celebrate this new addition to Metro Parks.

Yes! Kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards are permitted in the ponds at the Lake Area of the park. Kayaks and canoes must be registered with the state and users must wear a life jacket.

General Fishing: Fishing is permitted in the quarry lakes, but no live bait is allowed to be used. Metro Parks ponds and lakes do not require fishing licenses as fishing is catch and release and catches cannot be taken away from the park.

For any river, creek or waterways, anyone above the age of 15 must have a valid Ohio fishing license from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Metro Parks does not have sole jurisdiction over rivers and waterways, and any restrictions that apply to rivers, creeks or waterways are applied by the State of Ohio and ODNR (i.e. Fishing on the Scioto River requires a valid Ohio fishing license and all bag limits must be observed).

Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is not permitted at Metro Parks due to safety concerns.

Ice skating is not allowed on the quarry lakes, even when they are frozen in the winter.

Metro Parks does not permit swimming in any parks, waterways or ponds.

Biking is allowed on designated trails and pathways, but not on the gravel or ten-foot paths.

We do not permit any overnight camping at Quarry Trails Metro Park. Camping at Metro Parks is allowed at our backpacking trail campsites at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park and Scioto Grove Metro Park, both of which require a reservation. Backpacking is free at both locations, and reservations can be taken by using SignUpGenius.

For Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, click here. For Scioto Grove Metro Park, click here.
For questions on camping at either backpacking trails, email reservations@metroparks.net.

Deer, beavers, coyotes and other wildlife may be seen in the park.

At this time, Metro Parks is not allowing any Special Events to be hosted at Quarry Trails, with the exception of designated Metro Parks events and programming.

The Quarry Trails Metro Park sledding hill opened the winter of 2022 and can be used when there is enough snow.

One restroom is located at the waterfall parking lot, one in the lower mountain bike parking area and two restrooms are located at the Lake Area parking lot.

The abandoned cemetery at Quarry Trails Metro Park is in the northern section of the park along the connector trail between the northern entrance and the Lake Area.

Quarry Trails Metro Park has a carry-in, carry-out policy. This means that you must carry out any trash you carry into the park and paper bag stations are available to assist you in removal.

Domestic dogs and cats are welcome at Quarry Trails. We do ask that your furry friends are on a leash at all times. No swimming is allowed for pets or guests in the lakes. We allow service pets everywhere within the Metro Parks including all trails, venues and Nature Centers. For information on pet-friendly trails and areas at Metro Parks, click here. You can find a flyer for all pet-friendly trails here, including specific dog parks and swimming areas.

Please call our park rangers during open park hours of operation at 614.565.1539 for any questions, or email info@metroparks.net.

Please call 911 immediately and then our – park rangers during open park hours of operation at 614.565.1539.

The Quarry Trails dog park opened June 9!  To access the fenced, off-leash dog park, park and walk along the marked paths. You will need to keep your pet leashed while walking to the dog park. The park is still under construction, so be aware of surroundings and follow all posted signs.

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!