Get ready to explore, exercise, and enjoy nature like never before! The 2025 MetroParks Trails Challenge is back and better than ever, inviting adventurers of all ages to embark on a fun, free journey through Dayton’s beautiful trails.
What’s the Challenge All About?
Starting now and running until October 31, 2025, the Trails Challenge invites you to check off as many of the 28 designated trails as you can. Whether you prefer to hike, cycle, mountain bike, paddle, or even horseback ride, there’s a trail (or two!) for every taste and skill level. These trails offer a mix of experiences—ranging in length, terrain, and difficulty—so you can tailor your adventure to your own pace and interests.
New and Exciting Additions
This year, the challenge gets an exciting twist with the addition of flat water paddles at Eastwood and Possum Creek MetroParks. If you’ve been curious about paddling but haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance to dip your toes into a new kind of outdoor fun. And if you’re a bird lover, mark your calendars for next month! The upcoming MetroParks Birding Challenge (starting March 1) offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down, appreciate nature, and check off two challenges at once.
How to Participate
Joining in is easy and completely free! Here’s how you can get started:
- Register: Sign up at metroparks.org/trailschallenge to get access to the 2025 Trails Log and all the details you need.
- Explore the Trails: Enjoy the great outdoors by completing the designated trails in any order, at your own pace.
- Track Your Progress: Use the free MetroParks mobile app powered by OuterSpatial (download at metroparks.org/mobile) or print out a Trails Log from the website to keep track of your adventures.
- Submit Your Log: Be sure to submit your completed Trails Log by October 31 to qualify for some fantastic prizes!
Win Exciting Prizes
Every trail you complete earns you an entry into the prize draw:
- General Prize: Complete even just one trail, and you’re entered to win a $100 gift card to a local outdoor gear or bike shop. Each additional trail equals another entry—so the more you explore, the better your chances!
- Mountain Bike Trails: Special prizes await for those who tackle the mountain bike trails; each completed bike trail is an extra chance to win a Huffy mountain bike.
- Youth Awards: Kids 14 and under can also join in the fun. They’ll receive an entry for every trail completed and a chance to win a Kids Adventure Pack.
- Bonus Goodies: Everyone who completes at least 18 trails gets a MetroParks Trails Challenge sticker, and 100 lucky adventurers will receive a challenge T-shirt!
Plan Your Adventure
Some trails might be loops or parts of larger networks, so plan your route ahead of time and be ready to shuttle back if needed. A few trails require special gear like mountain bikes or kayaks, but don’t worry—21 of the 28 trails can be walked, hiked, or jogged. Check out programs like Try Mountain Biking to borrow gear and make sure you have the proper safety equipment, including helmets and life jackets.
A Community of Adventure
With over 160 miles of natural trails in Five Rivers MetroParks and a whopping 340 miles of paved trails in the greater Dayton region, the Trails Challenge isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate the joy of outdoor exploration. In 2024, participants collectively covered more than 9,600 miles of trails—a distance longer than from Hong Kong to the United States!
Ready, Set, Explore!
Whether you’re an outdoor veteran or a newcomer eager to discover the wonders of Dayton’s trails, the 2025 MetroParks Trails Challenge is your ticket to adventure. Embrace the fresh air, challenge yourself, and have fun while you’re at it. Don’t forget to register and share your progress with friends and family.
For more details and to kick off your adventure, visit metroparks.org/trailschallenge. Happy exploring!
