Photo Steve Boniface
Trails
North-South Connector Trail
1.1 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved and Boardwalk
Paved in Lake Area. Boardwalk section is ADA accessible from Lake Area parking lot.
Flat Rock Trail
0.4 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Runs alongside Swan Lake and past a range of large, flat-topped boulders. A loop section runs around a picnic shelter and swinging bench.
Kestrel Trail
0.25 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Runs through shrubland where a variety of birds, waterfowl, and raptors including kestrels are seen.
Lake View Trail
0.25 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Runs along the western shore of Swan Lake.
Millikin Falls Trail
0.6 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Steep steps at the start of the trail take you up to a dramatic overlook at the picturesque Millikin Falls, a 25-foot high waterfall. The trail ends at the Truss Bridge, an old railway bridge on the Scioto River.
Observation Trail
0.1 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Offers a great vantage point of riders on the downhill mountain biking trail.
Redback Loop Trail
1 mile
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
A double-loop, runs through a wooded area. From April to October, three hammocks are set up along the trail.
Tall Wall Trail
0.75 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Paved
Trail offers views of the via ferrata and of the north end of the park, overlooking an active quarry.
Activities
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 Pintail Pond, or look for a program from Metro Parks’ Outdoor Adventure team.
Visitors can fish in any of the quarry lakes.
The rugged 0.75-mile mountain bike trail can be accessed from the park entrance at 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus.
DOG PARK
The 2-acre dog park is split into separate fenced-in areas for smaller dogs (under 25 pounds) and larger dogs (over 25 pounds). Currently there is no running water at the dog park so we have a water jug that we fill daily.
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.
Via Ferrata
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
Sport Climbing
The Sport Climbing area is open without advanced registration, but users must sign a waiver and wear a climbing helmet. There are six climbing routes, reaching more than 50 feet up the sheer cliff walls. The lead climber clips their rope into pre-drilled permanent bolts for their protection while ascending the route, with the rope managed by a belayer at ground level. Minimum gear required to use the Sport Climbing walls is dynamic climbing rope (about 60 to 80 meters), rock climbing harness, climbing shoes, quickdraws, webbing/slings, locking carabiners, climbing helmet, chalk and chalk bag, and belay device.
The sledding hill can be accessed at 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, and is across from the mountain bike area.