Hours and Info

Year-round: 6:30am-dark
Phone: 614-208-4329

Programs at Pickerington Ponds

About

Pickerington Ponds is a premier spot for birdwatching, with more than 260 species seen. The park’s permanent wetlands, seasonal ponds and rich wetland vegetation, with bordering woodlands, serve as a magnet for migrating waterfowl, shore birds and land birds. Deer, beaver, fox and other wildlife can be seen near the ponds and adjoining woods and fields of this 1,619-acre park.

Directions Park Map Trails

Shelters & Lodges Programs Activities

Photo John Bonnett

Map & Directions

Photo David Hoffman

Park Map

Click the map below for a zoomed/enlarged version

PKP-parkmap-2021-1x1

Click Here for a Printable Map

Trails

Arrowhead

1.7 miles
Easy – Hike – Grass
Goes through fields and forest and crosses George Creek.

Blacklick Creek Greenway

16 miles
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved
Connects three Metro Parks and several small parks from Reynoldsburg to Groveport.

Killdeer

1.1 miles
Easy – Hike – Gravel
Goes around Blue Wing Pond and leads to an observation deck overlooking Pintail Marsh.

Meadowlark

1 mile
Easy – Hike – Grass
Follows Pickering Creek and loops around grassland.

Yellowlegs

0.5 miles
Easy – Hike – Gravel
Crosses Pickering Creek and goes through a wetland.

Burning Lake

1.5 miles
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved
Loops through wildflower fields and a small woodland, passes wetlands.

Photo Don Danielson

Shelters

Non-Reservable Shelters

Glacier Knoll Picnic Area

Area has access to Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail. Features an observation deck and has a drinking fountain and restroom.

One shelter: 38 Parking spaces plus two handicapped parking spaces, electricity, large charcoal grill, picnic tables, seating for 60

Wood Duck Picnic Area

Area has two observation decks overlooking ponds and marshes

One shelter: 30 Parking spaces plus two handicapped parking spaces, charcoal grill, picnic tables, seating for 20

Non-reservable shelters are available free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelters are available when the park opens at 6:30am and can be retained while someone from your party remains at the shelter.

Photo Don Danielson

Activities

Photo Caleb Holman

Biking

Roller-bladers and a cyclist about to pass each other on the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail in the north west part of Pickerington Ponds.
Photo Don Danielson

Blacklick Greenway Trail: 16 miles
Connects three Metro Parks and several small parks from Reynoldsburg to Groveport

More About Biking

Nature Preserves

Great blue heron at Pickerington Ponds. Photo by Dan Ferrin.
Photo Dan Ferrin

A 418-acre state nature preserve includes a buttonbush swamp, marshes and ponds. Marsh plants, grasses and sedges provide ideal habitat for many species of birds. Features four observation decks overlooking ponds and marshes. A fifth observation deck overlooks Arrowhead Marsh.

Pets

Walkers with their dogs on the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail at Pickerington Ponds.
Photo Don Danielson

PET TRAILS

Blacklick Greenway Trail: 16 miles
Connects three Metro Parks and several small parks from Reynoldsburg to Groveport.

More for Pets

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.

Picnicking

Visitor cooking on a park grill at the Glacier Knoll Picnic Area in Pickerington Ponds.
Photo Scott Felker

Two picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. They feature tables and grills.

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!

MAPS & DIRECTIONS