Metro Park Winter Hike Celebration at Blacklick Woods Golf Course

Get out and enjoy the fresh air in our beautiful metro parks this winter. Get healthy and enjoy the beautiful scenery around our metro parks with the Annual Winter Hike Series with Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. 

Visit the parks and hike any trail on your own schedule, pace, and distance. Each month will feature different parks where you can take a stroll, get your hike card stamped and join a group for a walk if you wish. 

This year you can participate using the OuterSpatial App right from your smartphone. If you prefer the low-tech option, you can still pick up your Winter Hike card at a featured park beginning December 1 or download the travel guide from the website https://www.metroparks.net/winter-hikes/. After you hike, ask a staff member to stamp the card.  

The season kicks off on December 1, 2025 from 5-7pm at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. Enjoy hot chocolate and take a walk through the park under the twinkling lights.

After the series, join the Winter Hikes celebration on February 22, 2026 to receive your new Winter Hike patch. Visit Friends of Metro Parks to find out how to earn hike medallions and additional swag.

Virginia Gordon, Coyote Run Trail Highbanks Metro Park

Columbus Metro Parks Winter Hike Series

Take a hike – on your own schedule – at these parks during each month.

While you can hike any time and any trail to have your card stamped (or use the digital option), there will be select dates where they will be offering refreshments during the day. *–

Winter Hike Kick-off

December 1 from 5-7pm at Blacklick Woods Metro Park

Enjoy hot chocolate, and take a walk through the twinkling lights.

December: Twinkling Lights 

Walk under the twinkling lights at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead, and Inniswood during the month of December. 

• December 5-6: Lantern Walk with hot chocolate at Chestnut Ridge from 5-6:30 pm

January: Start the New Year with Metro Parks

Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear Creek, Prairie Oaks, Rocky Fork, Scioto Audubon, Scioto Grove, Sharon Woods, Slate Run, Walnut Woods, and Blendon Woods

Hike anytime, or enjoy refreshments at parks during the times listed.

• Saturday January 3, 10am-1pm at Prairie Oaks
• Sunday January 4, 10am-1pm at Walnut Woods
• Saturday January 10, 10am- 1pm at Sharon Woods
• Sunday January 11, 10am-1pm at Slate Run
• Saturday January 17, 10am-1pm at Scioto Audubon
• Sunday January 18, 10am-1pm at Rocky Fork
• Saturday January 24, 10am-1pm  at Clear Creek
• Sunday January 25, 10am-1pm at Scioto Grove
• Saturday January 31, 10am-1pm at Blendon Woods

February: Love from Metro Parks!

Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Glacier Ridge, Pickerington Ponds, Quarry Trails, and Three Creeks.

Hike anytime, or enjoy refreshments at parks during the times listed.

• Sunday February 1, 10am-1pm at Pickerington Ponds
• Saturday February 7, 10am-1pm at Glacier Ridge
• Sunday February 8, 10am-1pm at Quarry Trails
• Saturday February 14, 10am-1pm at Three Creeks

Winter Hike Celebration!  

Sunday, February 22, 2025 11am-3pm at Blacklick Woods Golf Course

Head to the Audubon Sanctuary Golf Course to collect your Winter Hike patch or Friends of Metro Parks hiking stick and medallion. Enjoy hot chocolate, warm up by the fire, and hike along the trails.

Cheryl Blair, Blendon Woods winter hike

Looking for more metro park fun?

Find upcoming fun at the parks on the Facebook pages!

Quarry Trails Facebook page
Battelle Darby Creek Facebook page
Blacklick Woods Facebook page
Blendon Woods Facebook page
Clear Creek Facebook page
Glacier Ridge Facebook page
Highbanks Facebook page
Homestead Facebook page
Inniswood Facebook page
Sharon Woods Facebook page
Three Creeks Facebook page
Outdoor Adventure Facebook page.

Contact info for Columbus Metro Parks

metroparks.net
winterhikes@metroparks.net
614.508.8000
info@metroparks.net
Reservations: 614.508.8111

facebook.com/Columbus.Metro.Parks
instagram.com/cbusmetroparks
twitter.com/CbusMetroParks