2024-2025 Metro Parks Winter Hike Series

No matter how far, no matter when, Metro Parks Winter Hikes have a trail for you to enjoy! Hike under the Twinkling Lights in December and in January and February enjoy hot drinks and treats. Each month will feature different parks where you can take a walk, get your hike card stamped and maybe join a group for a walk. Bundle up, choose your route, grab a friend and go for a hike this winter in your Metro Parks.

  1. Visit the parks highlighted and hike any trail during the designated month.
  2. Have a staff member stamp your Winter Hike card.
  3. Hike 7 parks to earn a Metro Parks Winter Hike patch.
  4. Join us at the celebration on February 23, 2025 to receive your new Winter Hike patch.
  5. Visit Friends of Metro Parks to find out how to earn hike medallions and additional swag by hiking all 19 parks!

Winter Hike Kick-Off

December 1, 2024 from 5-7pm at Highbanks Metro Park
Join us at Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center for hot chocolate and take a walk through the park under 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. The lights go on at dark and shut off at 8pm. Walk at any time. Or come out to Chestnut Ridge for special evening lantern walks and hot chocolate on Friday, December 6, 2024 & Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 5–6:30pm.

Photo: Gil Sears

Photo: Melissa Turpening

January

Start the New Year with Metro Parks
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear CreekPrairie Oaks, Rocky Fork, Scioto Audubon, Scioto Grove, Sharon Woods, Slate Run and Walnut Woods.

Enjoy refreshments at parks during the times listed.
Saturday, January 4, 10am-1pm at Prairie Oaks

Sunday. January 5, 10am-1pm at Walnut Woods

Saturday, January 11, 10am- 1pm at Sharon Woods

Sunday, January 12, 10am-1pm at Slate Run

Saturday, January 18, 10am-1pm at Scioto Audubon

Sunday, January 19, 10am-1pm at Rocky Fork

Saturday, January 25, 10am-1pm  at Clear Creek

Sunday, January 26, 10am-1pm at Scioto Grove

February

Love from Metro Parks!
Choose a trail you love and take a hike at Blendon Woods, Glacier RidgePickerington Ponds, Quarry Trails and Three Creeks.

Enjoy hot drinks and a treat at parks during the times listed.
Saturday February 1, 10am-1pm at Blendon Woods

Sunday, February 2, 10am-1pm at Pickerington Ponds

Saturday February 8, 10am-1pm at Glacier Ridge

Sunday, February 9, 10am-1pm at Quarry Trails

Saturday February 15, 10am-1pm at Three Creeks

Winter Hike Celebration!

Sunday, February 23, 2025 11am-3pm at Blacklick Woods Golf Course
Hike along the paths of our Audubon Sanctuary Golf Course, collect your Winter Hike patch or Friends of Metro Parks hiking stick OR medallion, enjoy hot chocolate and warm up by the fire.

Photo: John Nixon

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!