LIZ CHRISTIAN
Social Media and Marketing Specialist
Hiking is fun, but hiking with your best friend is even better! Metro Parks has over 100 miles of pet trails throughout the district, including Greenway Trails. The longer, 3.5-mile Coyote Run Trail at Highbanks goes around the Adena mounds and through prairies, while the short, 0.5-mile Evergreen Trail at Three Creeks wraps around the wooded natural play area. All of the trails at Scioto Grove and Quarry Trails Metro Parks are pet friendly.
There’s a trail for everyone and their pets at all 20 Metro Parks. And yes, even leashed, domestic cats are allowed on the trails! Pets must be on a leash at all times while on the trails and owners must clean up any pet waste and dispose of it in the proper facilities.
To find a trail that best fits you and your 4-legged friend, check our Pet Trails PDF
In addition to pet trails, Metro Parks has six dog parks where dogs can run free and meet new friends. There are also two dog swimming areas, one at Darby Bend Lakes area of Prairie Oaks Metro Park, the other at Osprey Lake at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
Metro Parks often provides pet friendly programming – click here to find a program for you and your furry friends.
Need more off leash dog trails! When I tell fellow dog lovers/owners about how my dogs love the one at Rocky Fork, they are typically disappointed to discover how short the trail is and how limited the huge park system is for this type of off leash trail!
I agree about the off leash dog trails. I would love to see more of these.
Please stop closing the Coyote Run trail at Highbanks to dogs when there clearly isn’t enough snow to cross country ski. Or better yet, create a separate cross country skiing trail at one of the parks and never close the Coyote Run trail to dogs!
We only offer cross-country skiing when the conditions are good enough to allow for it, and in Ohio, this is not very often! During those times, dogs are welcome to walk along the multi-use trail or the Scenic River Trail at Highbanks. This provides opportunities for everyone to enjoy the parks!