Best Dog-Friendly Hikes and Trails in Columbus, Ohio: Explore with Your Pup
Columbus, Ohio, is a fantastic city for dog owners, offering a vibrant mix of urban walks and nature escapes. With its dog-loving vibe and abundance of Metro Parks, you and your furry best friend can find the perfect dog-friendly trail in Columbus. Whether you're looking for a scenic hike in the woods or a leisurely stroll with city views, Columbus has a trail to get those tails wagging. Let's explore the best dog-friendly hiking and walking trails the city has to offer!
1. Scioto Audubon Metro Park (Downtown Columbus)
Location: 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: The main trails around the park are dog-friendly, but it's best to confirm signage on-site.
Key Features: Mostly flat, likely a combination of paved and natural paths. Scenery is focused on river views and birdwatching opportunities. A 1.5-acre dog park is also available near the park office.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are generally welcome. Be mindful of wildlife, especially nesting birds.
2. Hayden Run Falls - Griggs Nature Preserve (Upper Arlington)
Location: 4460 Hayden Run Rd, Columbus, OH 43221, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: The trails around the falls are dog-friendly.
Key Features: Short trail with some elevation change to reach the waterfall viewpoint. Mostly wooded.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are welcome. The trail can get busy on weekends.
3. Alum Creek Trail (North of Columbus, locations vary)
Various access points - search "Alum Creek Trail" on Google Maps
Alum Creek Trail, Columbus, OH 43219, USA
Alum Creek Trail-Leonard Ave connector path, Columbus, OH 43219, USA
Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail (Ohio to Erie Trail), Westerville, OH 43081, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: The Alum Creek Greenway Trail is long and multi-use, including sections that are dog-friendly.
Key Features: Paved trail, mostly flat, follows the creek. Length varies depending on where you start and stop.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs allowed. Popular trail, so be prepared for other users.
4. Columbus Park of Roses - Whetstone Park of Roses (Clintonville)
Location: 3901 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Generally, yes, but some areas may change seasonally.
Key Features: A mix of paved paths and manicured garden areas. Focus is on the roses, not a long hike.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are allowed in most areas. Check their website for any "no dogs" zones, especially during special events.
5. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Near East Side)
Location: 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Only service animals are allowed inside the Conservatory. Outdoor gardens vary.
Key Features: Paved paths wind through formal gardens. Beautiful, but not a dog-focused hike.
Dog-Friendliness: Their website has a detailed Dog Policy: – some outdoor areas are dog-friendly with restrictions.
6. Schiller Park (German Village)
Location: 1069 Jaeger St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the park's walking paths. Be mindful of other park users and clean up after your pet.
Key Features: Longtime green space featuring a fishing pond, playground, tennis courts, and a stage for shows.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are generally welcome.
7. Big Run Park (West Columbus)
Location: 4201 Clime Rd, Columbus, OH 43228, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the park's trails.
Key Features: Sprawling wooded park offers wetlands, soap box derby events, a playground, and various trails.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails. Popular park, so be prepared for other users.
8. Goodale Park (Victorian Village)
Location: 120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the park's paved paths.
Key Features: City park with skyline views surrounded by Victorian homes, featuring a playground and tennis courts.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are allowed on the paved paths.
9. Fancyburg Park (Upper Arlington)
Location: 3375 Kioka Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the park's trails.
Key Features: Park with a variety of amenities, including a pool, playground, and picnic shelter.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails.
10. Dodge Park (Franklinton)
Location: 667 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: They have both paved and natural surface trails that should be dog-friendly.
Key Features: Small park along the river, likely a mix of open areas and woods.
Dog-Friendliness: Official website is lacking dog info, but leashed dogs likely allowed on most trails.
11. Columbus Commons to Capitol Square Walking Tour
Locations:
Columbus Commons: 160 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Leashed dogs should be fine for this urban walk.
Key Features: Paved sidewalks, no nature element. Focus on architecture and city features.
Dog-Friendliness: May get crowded on weekends, be mindful of events on the Commons.
12. Quarry Trails Metro Park (Northwest Columbus)
Location: 2600 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43235, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: They have dedicated dog trails! Look for the "Paw Print" trail marker.
Key Features: Natural surface trails, some elevation changes. A mix of open areas and woods.
Dog-Friendliness: Geared towards dogs with off-leash areas and dog-specific amenities.
Notes: This Metro Park is fantastic, but plan your route based on specific trails, not just loop names.
13. Highbanks Metro Park (Lewis Center)
Location: 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, the following trails allow dogs
Big Meadows Path: 1 mile
Coyote Run Trail: 3.5 miles
Multi-use Trail: 1.25 miles
Oak Coves Path: 0.4 miles
Scenic River Trail: 0.6 miles
Key Features: Mix of overlooks, wooded trails, river views. Trail difficulty varies.
Dog-Friendliness: Popular park, so some trails can be busy. They have a dedicated dog park area too!
14. Sharon Woods Metro Park (Westerville)
Location: 6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, some trails allow leashed dogs. Spring Creek trail is popular.
Key Features: Paved and natural trails, loops around a lake. Mostly flat terrain.
Dog-Friendliness: Can get busy, especially near the playground areas.
15. Blacklick Woods Metro Park (Reynoldsburg)
Location: 6996 Worthington Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, most trails allow leashed dogs.
Key Features: Woods, meadows, some elevation changes. Trail difficulty varies.
Dog-Friendliness: Large park, some trails likely less crowded than others.
16. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park (West Columbus)
Location: 1725 Darby Creek Dr, Groveport, OH 43125, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, many trails. Their website has a good dog info page.
Key Features: Varied terrain: woods, prairies, creeks. They have a large off-leash dog park area.
Dog-Friendliness: Some trails may have seasonal restrictions for nesting birds, so check their website.
17. Blendon Woods Metro Park (East Columbus)
Location: 4265 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Most trails have a section in their description specifying whether they're "multi-use" (including dogs) or not. Leashes required.
Key Features: Mix of woods and open fields. Trail lengths and difficulty vary based on specific route.
Dog-Friendliness: Check trail descriptions on their website, as some are restricted (ex: boardwalk areas) to protect wildlife.
18. Scioto Grove Metro Park (Grove City)
Location: 5377 Grove City Rd, Grove City, OH 43123, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, most trails allow leashed dogs. The Arrowhead Trail is easy and scenic.
Key Features: River views, prairie areas, and some woods. Terrain mostly flat.
Dog-Friendliness: They have several dedicated dog parks (both on and off-leash areas).
19. Walnut Woods Metro Park (Southeast Columbus)
Location: 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH 43125, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes! They even have a designated off-leash area.
Key Features: Mix of woods, fields, and a large pond. Difficulty varies by trail.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs OK on most trails. Buckeye area is fantastic for dogs who love to run and play.
20. Glacier Ridge Metro Park (Plain City)
Location: 9801 Hyland Croy Rd, Plain City, OH 43064, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: A bit tricky! Some trails are dog-friendly, others have seasonal restrictions (check website).
Key Features: Prairie areas, woods, ponds. Boardwalks and observation towers offer unique views.
Dog-Friendliness: Leashed dogs are OK on most trails outside of nesting bird season.
21. Three Creeks Metro Park (Groveport)
Location: 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport, OH 43125, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, most trails allow leashed dogs. Their website has clear dog-related info.
Key Features: Mix of woods, fields, and creek views. Trails range from easy to more challenging.
Dog-Friendliness: They even have a dedicated dog park area for off-leash fun!
22. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park (Pickerington)
Location: 7680 Wright Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on their trails.
Key Features: Focus on ponds and wetlands, with some wooded areas. Mostly flat trails.
Dog-Friendliness: Great for dog-watching birds, but be mindful of sensitive wildlife areas.
23. The Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum (Ohio State Campus)
Location: 152 Howlett Hall, 2001 Fyffe Ct, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: Leashed dogs are allowed on the paved "Lane Avenue Gardens" section of the arboretum.
Key Features: Formal gardens, walking paths. Beautiful, but not a long hike.
Dog-Friendliness: Check their website for events or restricted areas within the arboretum.
24. Big Walnut Trail (Gahanna)
Location: 200 S Hamilton Road Gahanna, OH 43230, USA
Dog-Friendly Trails: A paved urban walking path.
Key Features: Flat, likely good for an accessible walk, but not a nature hike. Connects small parks.
Dog-Friendliness: Pets must be leashed. Obey the scoop law.
We hope this guide has inspired you to hit the trails with your four-legged adventure buddy. Remember, being a responsible dog owner is essential – always leash your dog where required, clean up after them, and respect other trail users. Now, go explore those dog-friendly trails in Columbus, Ohio, and make lasting memories with your furry companion!
