Here in Ohio, there are plenty of trails to take when you’re feeling adventures. (Check out this list.) However, when you’re hiking with little ones, you likely want a trail that’s short and sweet, easy to hike and void of potentially dangerous overlooks. Fortunately, Ohio is home to plenty of trails just like this that are perfect for a family day of exploration.
The following are 9 totally kid-friendly hikes in Ohio that are around 1 mile or less. See which trails you’ve explored before:
- Cattail Trail (Garfield Park Reservation)
tde1973/Flickr Along this short and sweet, .2-mile Cleveland Metroparks trail, you’ll observe beautiful stonework from the 1930s, gorgeous flowers and wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway.
- Indian Mound Reserve Trails (Cedarville)
Keith Robinson/Flickr The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails less than a mile, managed by the Greene County Park District. We recommend taking the 0.6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls (pictured).
- Confluence Trail (Three Creeks Metro Park)
metroparks.net This 1-mile dirt trail will lead you where the Blacklick, Big Walnut and Alum Creeks merge into one. You’ll enjoy the scenery along the way and at the end. Three Creeks Metro Park is located at 3860 Bixby Rd., Groveport, OH 43125.
- Hemlock Loop Trail (Bedford Reservation)
tde1973/Flickr The Hemlock Loop Trail at Bedford Reservation within Cleveland Metroparks is a short, easy hike that’s particularly beautiful. The 0.8-mile trail features a flat, woodland area along the Tinker’s Creek floodplain.
- Ash Cave Trails (Hocking Hills State Park)
J. Todd Poling/Flickr The Ash Cave Trails within Hocking Hills State Park feature a 0.25-mile-long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible and great for families, as well as a more strenuous 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail.
- Rowe Woods Edge Trail (Cincinnati Nature Center)
Facebook/Cincinnati Nature Center With just .66 miles to explore, this easy trail features gorgeous views of Powel Crosley Lake. It makes the perfect fall day hike when you don’t have a lot of time to explore, but you need to get out and take in the autumn foliage.
- Jane Coates Wildflower Trail (Put-In-Bay)
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. You’ll find the trail at 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd., Put-In-Bay, OH 43456.
- Woodland Loop Trail (Concord Woods Nature Park)
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook Clocking in at just under 1 mile, this short and sweet trail is scenic and kid-friendly. The park features a playground and even a stocked fishing area. You’ll find it at 11231 Spear Rd. in Concord Township.
- Orange Trail (Sugarcreek Metro Park)
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love. Sugarcreek Metro Park is located at 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook, OH 45305
Have you hiked any of these trails before? What other trails would you add to this list? Let us know!
tde1973/Flickr
Along this short and sweet, .2-mile Cleveland Metroparks trail, you’ll observe beautiful stonework from the 1930s, gorgeous flowers and wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway.
Keith Robinson/Flickr
The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails less than a mile, managed by the Greene County Park District. We recommend taking the 0.6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls (pictured).
metroparks.net
This 1-mile dirt trail will lead you where the Blacklick, Big Walnut and Alum Creeks merge into one. You’ll enjoy the scenery along the way and at the end. Three Creeks Metro Park is located at 3860 Bixby Rd., Groveport, OH 43125.
The Hemlock Loop Trail at Bedford Reservation within Cleveland Metroparks is a short, easy hike that’s particularly beautiful. The 0.8-mile trail features a flat, woodland area along the Tinker’s Creek floodplain.
J. Todd Poling/Flickr
The Ash Cave Trails within Hocking Hills State Park feature a 0.25-mile-long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible and great for families, as well as a more strenuous 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail.
Facebook/Cincinnati Nature Center
With just .66 miles to explore, this easy trail features gorgeous views of Powel Crosley Lake. It makes the perfect fall day hike when you don’t have a lot of time to explore, but you need to get out and take in the autumn foliage.
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook
The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. You’ll find the trail at 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd., Put-In-Bay, OH 43456.
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook
Clocking in at just under 1 mile, this short and sweet trail is scenic and kid-friendly. The park features a playground and even a stocked fishing area. You’ll find it at 11231 Spear Rd. in Concord Township.
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook
Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love. Sugarcreek Metro Park is located at 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook, OH 45305
And for more hiking adventures in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article: If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Ohio, Make Them These.
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