First time Metro Parks visitor?
We’re glad you’re here!

Whatever you enjoy doing outdoors, Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks has a great place to begin your adventure. Find adventurous things to do, new activities to try and places to explore every day of the year! For seven decades, your Metro Parks have been a treasured natural resource for generations of central Ohioans of all ages and abilities.

Metro Parks are free and belong to everyone… so get out, get active and have some fun.

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Discover & Experience Nature

The mission of Metro Parks is to conserve open spaces, while providing places and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature. Your 20 Metro Parks cover more than 28,900 acres of land and water and are home to more than 2,400 plant and animal species.

Every year more than 12 million people visit Metro Parks to escape into a world teeming with wildlife and rich in recreational and educational opportunities. The tremendous growth and enduring popularity of Metro Parks is due to the strong support of the community – as voters, as volunteers and as visitors.

Lodges & Shelters

Find the perfect place for events of all sizes

Information on Lodges & Shelters

Come to Ohio, the winter heart of it all

STEPHANIE WEST Blendon Woods Naturalist Of all winter travel destinations, Ohio hardly seems like the perfect getaway. There’s no warm tropical sand, nor towering ski slopes. Vistas are often gray …Read More

Preserving habitat for sandhill cranes

LOGAN DUNN Assistant Resource Manager Sandhill cranes are large majestic birds that capture the attention of almost anyone found within the area of them. They are still listed as “Threatened” …Read More

Meet Bonnie and Skip at Blendon Woods

Bonnie and Skip Decker Metro Parks Volunteers at Blendon Woods Bonnie and Skip Decker are talking with Communications Coordinator, Virginia Gordon Volunteering at Metro Parks BONNIE We have been volunteer …Read More

OUR NATURE IN FOCUS – a new photography exhibition and contest

Grange Insurance Audubon Center and Midwest Photo are thrilled to announce OUR NATURE IN FOCUS, a photography competition and exhibition that celebrates the beauty that resides in our Columbus and …Read More

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!

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