Blendon Woods Metro Park
Nature preserve
660 acres6.7 mi of trail
Sugarbush TrailGoldenrod TrailBrookside TrailOverlook Trail+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Photo: Paul Wasneski · Public domainA−Outdoors
Outdoors in Columbus
9% of Columbus’ land is conserved: 12,257 acres
94% of residents live within a half mile of a park. The biggest trail networks: Blendon Woods Metro Park (6.7 mi), Franklin Park (5.3 mi), Three Creeks Metro Park (5 mi). 138 miles of mapped trail cross Columbus, 0.6 per square mile of land.
Ahead of 79% of U.S. towns · #171 of 993 in Ohio. What drives it
Conserved land
9%
12,257 acres · of 221.9 sq mi of land
Trails
138 mi
0.6 per sq mi of land
Park land
11,694 ac
13 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
94%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
313 mi
59 mi lanes · 153 mi paths
Highest peak
797 ft
Spangler Hill
Lakes & rivers
32
1 beach · 4 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Columbus?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Columbus have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Columbus is ahead of 79% of U.S. towns, #171 of 993 in Ohio. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; the share of residents near a park ranks highest, park acres per resident lowest.
A−
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Columbus’ overall grade.
Conserved land9% of the land · typical OH town 3% · U.S. 4%B+Trails0.6 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (138 mi) · OH 0.2 · U.S. 0.4B+Park land13 acres of park per 1,000 residents (11,694 acres) · OH 15 · U.S. 13B−Parks close to home94% of residents within a half mile of a park · OH 60% · U.S. 72%A−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 79%
LessMore
Ohio towns of 2,500+ (993)Ahead of 83%
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Columbus ranks #208 on Outdoors.
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from B+ to A−. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Blendon Woods Metro Park, with 6.7 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Three Creeks Metro Park
Nature preserve
1,151 acres5 mi of trail
Evergreen TrailBluebell Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Quarry Trails Metro Park
Park
224 acres4.8 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Park
124 acres2.7 mi of trail
Columbus Rotary Obstacle CourseHermit Thrush Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lot
Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
Nature preserve
721 acres2.5 mi of trail
Arrowhead TrailMeadow Lark Trail
No dogs
Directionsto the parking lot
Antrim Park
Park
130 acres2.5 mi of trail
Antrim Lake LoopEMS Access to Dam
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
All 290 parks & preserves
Blendon Woods Metro Park660 acres · 6.7 mi of trail
DirectionsFranklin Park83 acres · 5.3 mi of trail
DirectionsThree Creeks Metro Park1,151 acres · 5 mi of trail
DirectionsQuarry Trails Metro Park224 acres · 4.8 mi of trail
DirectionsScioto Audubon Metro Park124 acres · 2.7 mi of trail
DirectionsPickerington Ponds Metro Park721 acres · 2.5 mi of trail
DirectionsAntrim Park130 acres · 2.5 mi of trail
DirectionsKrumm Park37 acres · 1.4 mi of trail
DirectionsWilma H. Shiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park33 acres · 1.4 mi of trail
DirectionsWhetstone Park153 acres · 1.2 mi of trail
DirectionsGreat Southern Metro Park113 acres · 1.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBig Run Park263 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Columbus Recreation and Parks
DirectionsJames J. Thomas Park107 acres · 0.9 mi of trail
DirectionsTuttle Park44 acres · 0.9 mi of trail
DirectionsHard Road Park43 acres · 0.9 mi of trail
DirectionsKenney Park Nature Preserve20 acres · 0.9 mi of trail
DirectionsMaloney Park24 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsIndian Mound Park23 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsWestmoor Park16 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsDisc Golf Course14 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsEaston Oval11 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsCapitol Square10 acres · 0.8 mi of trail
DirectionsWalnut Hill Park71 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsNafzger Park57 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsWarner Woods Park54 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
Driving Park24 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
DirectionsMock Park20 acres · 0.7 mi of trail
Linden Park14 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · City of Columbus
DirectionsBerliner Park236 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsWestgate Park39 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsHoover Park27 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsNorthcrest Park21 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsThe Oval20 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsSouth Oval13 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsTopiary Park6 acres · 0.6 mi of trail
DirectionsColumbus and Franklin County Metropark District117 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
Fred Beekman Park41 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsSchiller Park26 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsMill Run Park14 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsDexter Falls Park10 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
Glen Echo Park9 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsIngram Spirit of Women Park6 acres · 0.5 mi of trail
DirectionsHighbanks Metro Park293 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsGalloway Sports Complex111 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsDuranceau Park17 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
Southern Pines Park11 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsBarnett Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsWestbank Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsChadwick Arboretum Lane Ave. Gardens10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
Dorrian Green7 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsWheeler Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
DirectionsRiverside Green Park4 acres · 0.4 mi of trail
Innis Park106 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsSpindler Sports Complex70 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsWillow Creek Park26 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsChadwick Arboretum North24 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Marion Franklin Park23 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsHarrison Smith Park21 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Sawmill Wetlands Education Area20 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsGreene Countrie Park17 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Albany Crossing Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsSummitview Park13 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsDeshler Park10 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
John W Galbreath Bicentennial Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsMifflin Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Weinland Park7 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsScioto Mile Promenade6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsGranville Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsSmith Road School Park6 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
Grandview Crossing Community Park3 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsLazelle Woods Park43 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsCherry Bottom Park43 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsStoneridge Park23 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBeechwold Park21 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Clinton-Como Park19 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsEddie Saunders Park19 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsJohnson Memorial Park13 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsLindberg Park9 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsGenoa Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsWynstone Park7 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsDevonshire Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBeechcroft Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsHighbluffs Park4 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsRoosevelt Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsColumbus Ohio Temple Grounds1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
DirectionsBuckeye Grove1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsBig Walnut Park170 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsRhodes Park53 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsCasto Park50 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWilson Road Park44 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsThompson Park43 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsRedick Park23 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsDodge Park20 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsSills Park17 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsGlenwood Park17 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsIndependence Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Olde Sawmill Park9 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWalnut View Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Holton Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsBroadmeadows Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsKenney Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsDream-Filled Park7 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Woodbridge Green Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsIuka Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Northtowne Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Shepard Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsWrexham Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Alkire Lakes Community Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
McKinley Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsGalloway Ridge Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Parkview Parkland3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsFounders Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsHarrison Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Brevoort Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsPhyllis A Jones Legacy Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsBrookside Woods Park3 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Jastram Memorial Grove1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Lehman Estates Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Karns Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Jeffrey Square1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsSummerlyn Neighborhood Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
Gazebo Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
McPherson and Smith Courtyard1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsItalian Village Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsGlen High Parkland1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Columbus Department of Parks & Recreation
DirectionsEarth Day Park1 acres · 0.1 mi of trail
DirectionsEdward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve194 acres
Portman Park151 acres
DirectionsClover Groff Natural Area91 acres
DirectionsRefugee Road Parklands54 acres
DirectionsElk Run Park54 acres
Delawanda Park47 acres
DirectionsWolfe Park46 acres
DirectionsParkridge Park44 acres
DirectionsHelsel Park41 acres
DirectionsOlentangy Nature Preserve40 acres
Goodale Park36 acres
DirectionsCooper Park33 acres
DirectionsWoodward Nature Preserve31 acres
DirectionsWoodstream Park29 acres
Walden Waterfowl Refuge29 acres
Fairwood Park27 acres
DirectionsOlentangy River Parklands24 acres
Northern Olentangy Parkland Extension24 acres
DirectionsStockbridge Park23 acres
DirectionsScioto Trail Park23 acres
Woodward Park21 acres
DirectionsStrawberry Farms Park21 acres
North Bank Park20 acres
DirectionsMcCoy Park20 acres
DirectionsAcademy Park19 acres
DirectionsNelson Park19 acres
DirectionsWestford Village Parkland17 acres
Windward Farms Park16 acres
DirectionsHilliard Green Park16 acres
DirectionsLincoln Park16 acres
DirectionsBrentnell Park16 acres
DirectionsCarriage Place Park and Recreation Center14 acres
DirectionsCatalpa Park13 acres · Columbus Recreation and Parks
Willow Creek Preserve13 acres
DirectionsSharon Meadows Park13 acres
DirectionsWesterville Woods Parkland11 acres
Livingston Park11 acres
DirectionsHaydens Crossing Park10 acres
DirectionsMaybury Park10 acres
Hayden Park10 acres
DirectionsGeorgian Heights Park10 acres · Columbus Recreation and Parks
Cassady Park10 acres
Georgesville Green Parkland10 acres · Columbus Recreation and Parks
DirectionsConnor Park9 acres
Hilltonia Park9 acres
Cooke Park9 acres
Scioto Woods Park9 acres
Ceder Run Park9 acres
Cremeans Park9 acres
Northgate Park9 acres
Blackburn Park9 acres
Indianola Middle School Park7 acres
DirectionsWexford Green Park7 acres
Northmoor Park7 acres
DirectionsKraner Park7 acres
DirectionsKelly Park7 acres
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons7 acres
DirectionsTrabue Woods Park7 acres
Sawyer Park7 acres
DirectionsSawmill Nature Preserve6 acres
Freedom Park6 acres
DirectionsAudubon Park6 acres
Linview Park6 acres · City of Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks
Williams Creek Park6 acres
Alkire Lakes Park6 acres
Hauntz Park6 acres
DirectionsPrestwick Commons Park6 acres
Mayme Moore Park6 acres · Columbus Recreation and Parks
DirectionsBerwick Park6 acres
Kenlawn Park6 acres
DirectionsBeatty Park6 acres
Napoleon Park6 acres
West Park Avenue Park6 acres
DirectionsBlacklick Woods Metro Park4 acres · Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
Windsor Park4 acres
Huy Road Park4 acres
Battelle Riverfront Park4 acres
DirectionsODNR Natural Resources Park4 acres · Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Flint Park4 acres
DirectionsRocky Creek Parkland4 acres · Columbus Recreation and Parks
Pump House Park4 acres
DirectionsCity Gate Park4 acres
Easthaven Park4 acres
American Addition Park4 acres
Riverbend Park4 acres
Alum Crest Park4 acres
Upper Albany Park4 acres
Forest Creek Park4 acres
Forest Park East4 acres
Columbus City Hall plaza4 acres
DirectionsWest Bank Park4 acres
DirectionsGlen View Park4 acres
DirectionsKirkwood Park4 acres
Willis Park4 acres
Avalon Park4 acres
Hanford Village Park4 acres
Brownlee Circle Park4 acres
Milo Grogan Park4 acres
North East Park3 acres
DirectionsWalden Park3 acres
Sycamore Hills Park3 acres
Joan Park3 acres
Central Park3 acres
Reynolds Crossing Park3 acres
Southgate Park3 acres
DirectionsShady Lane Park3 acres
Crawford Farms Park3 acres
McFerson Commons3 acres
DirectionsMemorial Grove3 acres
DirectionsChadwick Arboretum Learning Gardens3 acres
Remembrance Park3 acres
DirectionsNorthern Woods Park3 acres
Pingue Park3 acres
Alexander Park3 acres
DirectionsOld Oaks Park3 acres
Southwood Mileusnich Park3 acres
DirectionsStephen Drive Park3 acres
DirectionsPrestwick Green Common Area3 acres
Directions15th Avenue Park3 acres · Columbus Recreation & Parks Department
DirectionsSharon Woods Metro Park1 acres
Scioto Grove Metro Park1 acres
Heritage Trail Park1 acres
DirectionsNew Albany wetland and nature preserve1 acres
Chaseland Park1 acres
Indianola Park1 acres
DirectionsAmvet Village Park1 acres
Brentwood Park1 acres
DirectionsSullivant Gardens Park1 acres
Webster Park1 acres
Moeller Park1 acres
Jefferson Woods Park1 acres
Argus Park1 acres
Hansford Quadrangle1 acres
DirectionsMillbrook Park1 acres
Waltham Woods Park1 acres
Champion Avenue Park1 acres
DirectionsSoutheast Lions Park1 acres
DirectionsGalloway Ridge Village Park1 acres
DirectionsPalsgrove Park1 acres
DirectionsCampbell Memorial Park1 acres
DirectionsJesse Owens Plaza1 acres
College Green1 acres
DirectionsCity Commons1 acres
DirectionsGeers Street Park1 acres
Makris Parkland1 acres
DirectionsNew Beginnings Park1 acres
Thurber Park1 acres
DirectionsGuilford Park1 acres
Dakota Park1 acres
DirectionsPumphrey Park1 acres
Ohio Field Memorial1 acres
DirectionsGateway Green1 acres
DirectionsTaylor Green1 acres
DirectionsHawthorne Park1 acres
Little Broad1 acres
Hamilton Avenue Street Park1 acres
Martin Avenue Park1 acres
Washington Gladden Social Justice Park1 acres
DirectionsIuka & Waldeck Pocket Park1 acres · University District Organization
DirectionsHamilton & Spring Park1 acres
Ratner Plaza1 acres
DirectionsGould Park1 acres
Chatham Village Dog Park1 acres
DirectionsPoplar Park1 acres
DirectionsWho protects it
12,257 conserved acres
9% of Columbus’ land. Who manages Columbus’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Town or city8,908 ac
Regional agency2,638 ac
Private owners753 ac
USDA easements (NRCS)144 ac
Other state land41 ac
State natural resources34 ac
Other or Unknown Local Government31 ac
Local Park · 10,125 acLocal Recreation Area · 1,087 acPrivate Park · 734 acLocal Conservation Area · 400 acConservation Easement · 144 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 4 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. Public access isn’t recorded for 2 of 511 parcels. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Creeks Metropark Local Park | Regional agency | 1,128 | Open |
| Blendon Woods Metropark Local Park | Regional agency | 631 | Open |
| Pickerington Ponds Metropark Local Park | Regional agency | 593 | Open |
| Little Turtle Country Club Private Park | Private owners | 368 | Open |
| Big Run Park Local Park | Town or city | 269 | Open |
| Columbus Country Club Private Park | Private owners | 233 | Open |
| Berliner Sports Park Local Park | Town or city | 224 | Open |
| Turnberry Golf Course Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 214 | Open |
| Raymond Memorial Golf Course Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 214 | Open |
| Champions Golf Course Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 201 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
579 places to go in Columbus
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Columbus
1 beach without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Public pools in Columbus
Plus 5 public pools without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Playgrounds in Columbus
Animal SwingsIn Broadmeadows Park
DirectionsBlackburn PlaygroundIn Blackburn Park
DirectionsBlendon Woods Inclusive PlaygroundIn Blendon Woods Metro Park
DirectionsChapel Playground
DirectionsCrawford Farms Park
DirectionsDexter Falls Park PlaygroundIn Dexter Falls Park
DirectionsFunk-ee Town PlaygroundIn Harrison Park
DirectionsJungle GymIn Blendon Woods Metro Park
Directions14 more playgrounds
Kickball Court
DirectionsLinden Park Playground
DirectionsNEOS 360In John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
DirectionsODNR Oil & Gas Playground
DirectionsOlde Sawmill Park PlaygroundIn Olde Sawmill Park
DirectionsPark at the Park of RosesIn Whetstone Park
DirectionsPingue PlaygroundIn Pingue Park
DirectionsPlayground Olentngy Commons
DirectionsPrestwick PlaygroundIn Prestwick Commons Park
DirectionsSchiller Park PlaygroundIn Schiller Park
DirectionsStratford Chase Playground
DirectionsSwingsIn Blendon Woods Metro Park
DirectionsThe Yard Polaris
DirectionsVictorian Playgrounds
Directions464 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Columbus
Bark Park
DirectionsBumble's Back Yard
DirectionsDog Park
DirectionsEaston Pointe Dog Park
DirectionsGodown Dog Park
DirectionsLarge Dog ParkIn Quarry Trails Metro Park
DirectionsScioto Audubon Dog ParkIn Scioto Audubon Metro Park
DirectionsScioto Audubon Dog ParkIn Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Directions3 more dog parks
Small Dog ParkIn Quarry Trails Metro Park
DirectionsSpindler Dog Park
DirectionsSpring & Fourth Dog Park
Directions40 dog parks are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Boat launches in Columbus
Tuttle Park Boat LaunchIn Tuttle Park
DirectionsPlus 3 boat launches without a name on the map.
Fishing spots in Columbus
Whetstone Casting PondIn Whetstone Park
DirectionsYouth FishingIn ODNR Natural Resources Park
DirectionsWaterfalls in Columbus
Milliken FallsIn Quarry Trails Metro Park
DirectionsPlus 1 waterfall without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Columbus
58 Partners Church Riverview Lookout Platform
Directions58 Partners Foundation Church Scenic Lookout
DirectionsAntrim Lake DeckIn Antrim Park
DirectionsHayden Falls Viewing Deck
DirectionsRose GardenIn Whetstone Park
DirectionsStag
DirectionsPlus 22 scenic views without a name on the map.
Peaks in Columbus
Spangler Hill797 ft elevation
DirectionsBaker Hill791 ft elevation
DirectionsMarlboro Hill623 ft elevation
DirectionsPicnic areas in Columbus
Brevoort ParkIn Brevoort Park
DirectionsPicnic AreaIn Whetstone Park
DirectionsRiver BluffsIn Highbanks Metro Park
DirectionsSandefur Wetland PavilionIn Wilma H. Shiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park
DirectionsZe Goat Picnic
DirectionsPlus 14 picnic areas without a name on the map.
Disc golf in Columbus
Blendon Woods Disc Golf CourseIn Disc Golf Course
DirectionsGriggs Resevoir Disc GolfIn Hoover Park
DirectionsGriggs Resevoir Disc GolfIn Hoover Park
DirectionsCommunity gardens in Columbus
Plus 2 community gardens without a name on the map.
Trails & water
20 named trails and 32 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 2.1 miUnpaved · 21.8 mi
Arrowhead Trail1.5 mi
Sugarbush Trail1.2 mi
Antrim Lake Loop1.1 mi
Prayer Trail1.0 mi
Goldenrod Trail0.8 mi
Meadow Lark Trail0.8 mi
Brookside Trail0.8 mi
Kenney Trail0.7 mi
Overlook Trail0.6 mi
Evergreen Trail0.5 mi
10 more trails
Bluebell Trail
0.5 miRipple Rock
0.4 miColumbus Rotary Obstacle Course
0.3 miMarion-Franklin Walking path
0.3 miLake Trail
0.3 miThompson Park Trail
0.2 miHickory Ridge
0.1 miEMS Access to Dam
0.1 miHermit Thrush Trail
0.1 miBeechwold Trail
0.1 miLakes & rivers tap for directions
Albany Park PondpondAntrim LakeArlington Park PondpondArlington Park PoolpondAustin PoolpondBob Poste LakelakeBosk PondpondBroadcast LakelakeCanal Highlands PondpondCity of Columbus Sludge PondpondGalloway Ridge PondpondGreenlawn Avenue Low Head ReservoirreservoirHeron PondHidden LakeIce Skating PondpondMirror LakelakeMoody LakepondODNR Kayak PondpondODNR WetlandpondODNR Youth Fishing PondpondOakwynne PondpondShakertown FountainpondSpindler pondpondThoreau PondpondTurtle PondpondValden Court PondpondWaggoner PondpondAlum CreekBig Walnut CreekBlacklick CreekOlentangy RiverScioto River
Biking & sports
313 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
59 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
153 mi
off-road bike paths
102 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
Courts & fields
292Tennis
197Baseball
185Basketball
149Soccer
36Football
31Beach volleyball
28Pickleball
11Volleyball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
History along the way
History →181 places on the National Register, 3 of them National Historic Landmarks
The country’s official list of places worth saving (National Park Service). The map also marks 62 historic points from OpenStreetMap: plaques, memorials and old buildings.
Franklin Park Medical CenterBuilding
About itFort HayesDistrict · listed 1970
About itUniversity, Hayes and Orton HallsBuilding · listed 1970
About itCampbell MoundStructure · listed 1970
About itWyandotte BuildingBuilding · listed 1972
About itOld Governor's MansionBuilding · listed 1972
About itHarrison, Gen. William Henry, HeadquartersBuilding · listed 1972
About itLucas Sullivant BuildingBuilding · listed 1973
About itFranklinton Post OfficeBuilding · listed 1973
About it169 more on the History page.
When to get out
August is the best month for walking in Columbus
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.6 | 10.6 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.4 | 15.0 | 14.7 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
| High (°F) | 37 | 41 | 51 | 64 | 74 | 82 | 85 | 84 | 78 | 66 | 52 | 42 |
| Rain (in) | 2.9 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
February is the driest month (2.4 in) and July the warmest (highs of 85 °F). 4.5 inches fall in June, the wettest month. The climate in Columbus →
Next door
Columbus and its neighbors
Columbus has the most mapped trails of the 8 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Columbus138 miWashington Township44 miPlain Township27 miMadison Township19 miJackson Township18 miNorwich Township13 miMifflin Township8.4 miHamilton Township4.7 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 9% | 0.6 | 13 | 94% | A− |
| Hamilton Township | 3% | 0.4 | 31 | 79% | B |
| Norwich Township | 6% | 1.0 | 16 | 99% | A |
| Jackson Township | 7% | 0.5 | 31 | 95% | A− |
| Mifflin Township | 7% | 0.6 | 20 | 97% | A− |
| Madison Township | 9% | 0.5 | 70 | 86% | A− |
| Plain Township | 20% | 1.3 | 151 | 95% | A+ |
| Washington Township | 100% | 22.6 | under 1 | 95% | A |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Columbus
Where can I hike in Columbus?
The longest trail networks: Blendon Woods Metro Park, 6.7 miles; Franklin Park, 5.3 miles; Three Creeks Metro Park, 5 miles; Quarry Trails Metro Park, 4.8 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Columbus is conserved land?
9% of its land, against a typical 3% for an Ohio town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Columbus’ trails?
Blendon Woods Metro Park and Franklin Park don’t have dog rules recorded on the map; check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Columbus?
313 miles of bike routes are on the map: 59 of painted or protected lanes, 153 of off-road paths and 102 of shoulders and shared lanes.
Is there public land near Columbus?
44,517 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Columbus or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 11,694 of them inside the city line.
How much outdoors does Columbus have?
Ahead of 79% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #171 of 993 in Ohio. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Columbus neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →