NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES!

Metro Parks is excited to present the 2021 Explorer’s Challenge! Join us for six exciting challenges all across the park district — there’s something for everyone! Hike a trail with your leashed pet or search for wildlife along our nature trails. This year’s challenge includes programming and a history hunt! The 2021 Explorer’s Challenge starts May 1, 2021 and ends September 30, 2021. (See links at the bottom of this page to download the explorer challenge cards, alongside park locations where you can pick up printed copies).

Complete a Challenge Card for each challenge to win an embroidered patch! The first 100 people who complete all four base challenges – the Wildlife Wanderer, Pet Trail Prowler, History Hunter and After-Dark Adventurer Challenges –  will receive the Thru-Hiker achievement and will earn a special Metro Parks Explorer T-shirt and limited-edition patch! (You don’t need need to complete the River Rambler or Bridle Trail Bounder challenge for the Thru-Hiker achievement.)

You can start to redeem your cards for patches on June 1.

This program was made possible in partnership with Friends of Metro Parks, the Outdoor Adventure team, the Camp & Special Events team and Metro Parks’ dedicated naturalist staff.

RIVER RAMBLER

There’s nothing better than spending an afternoon paddling down the river or floating on the creek! If kayaking, canoeing or paddle-boarding is your thing, grab your gear, head on down to your nearest Metro Park river or creek access point, and paddle away! To complete this challenge, spend 10 hours or more enjoying Metro Parks’ many waterways. We’ve included five in this challenge to help you get started!

(record your hours on the river instead of your miles traveled)

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE RIVER RAMBLER CHALLENGE

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WILDLIFE WANDERER – (10 miles)

Human visitors aren’t the only ones out on the trails! Hundreds of animal, bird, fish and insect species make the Metro Parks their home, and we have some trails that can help you see them! Visit the trails below with your family and friends and keep a sharp eye out for wildlife.

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE WILDLIFE WANDERER CHALLENGE

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PET TRAIL PROWLER – (11.5 miles)

Sometimes the best hike is one that your whole family can enjoy, including your four-legged friends! Metro Parks has pet-friendly trails throughout the park district, and these are some of our favorites! You can hike these trails with or without a pet. Remember that if you’re doing multiple challenges at the same park (such as Wildlife Wanderer and Pet Trail Prowler) that not all trails are pet-friendly.

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE PET TRAIL PROWLER CHALLENGE

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AFTER-DARK ADVENTURER 

Come and see your Metro Parks in a different light! Participate in any five after-dark or late-night programs from May 1 to September 30 to complete this challenge! You can participate in programs led by naturalists (night hikes, stargazing and more), by Outdoor Adventure (late-night climbs, night paddling and camp-outs), by Special Events (SciotoFest, Family Fun Nights) and by Friends of Metro Parks!

All programs are currently pre-registration only. You can sign up to receive program notifications from the parks you’re interested in below! Following your favorite Metro Parks on Facebook is also a great way to stay informed about what’s happening in the parks.

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE AFTER DARK ADVENTURER CHALLENGE

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HISTORY HUNTER – (11.6 miles)

While Metro Parks has been around for over 70 years, our parklands are even older! Some ecosystems are thousands of years old, and some Metro Parks have been used by humans and animals for just as long! Participate in this challenge to learn more about Metro Parks’ unique history, including land use by ancient peoples, old ecosystems, 19th-century farming and more!

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE HISTORY HUNTER CHALLENGE

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BRIDLE TRAIL BOUNDER (21.4 miles)

We have something special this year! If you love exploring Central Ohio from the back of a horse, the Bridle Trail Bounder Challenge is for you! Bring the whole herd along and visit the five bridle trails listed below. Each trailhead has trailer parking and a staging area. This challenge is closed to pedestrians and is not required to earn the Thru-Hiker achievement.

SUBMIT YOUR DATA FOR THE BRIDLE TRAIL BOUNDER CHALLENGE

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THRU-HIKER

We’ve got one more challenge for those of you who just can’t get enough of your parks! To complete the Thru-Hiker Challenge, all you have to do is hike them all!

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DOWNLOAD YOUR EXPLORER CHALLENGE CARDS

After-Dark Adventurer
Bridle Trail Bounder
History Hunter
Pet Trail Prowler
River Rambler 
Wildlife Wanderer

EXPLORER CHALLENGE CARDS MAY ALSO BE PICKED UP AT THESE PARK LOCATIONS:

• Blendon Woods Metro Park, at the Nature Center Bulletin Board
• Scioto Audubon Metro Park, at the Climbing Wall and Boat Ramp Bulletin Boards
• Walnut Woods Metro Park, at the Tall Pines and Buckeye Area Bulletin Boards
• Highbanks Metro Park, at the Big Meadows and Oak Coves Area Bulletin Boards
• Scioto Grove Metro Park, at the Arrowhead Picnic Area and Hickory Picnic Area Bulletin Boards
• Slate Run Metro Park, at the Ranger Station
• Slate Run Farm, at the entrance
• Battelle Darby Creek, at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board and the Cedar Ridge Ranger Station
• Homestead Metro Park, at the Barn Bulletin Board
• Sharon Woods Metro Park, at the Apple Ridge Picnic Area and the Schrock Lake Picnic Area Bulletin Boards