With the days warming up a bit more and Summer break just around the corner we are thrilled to share with you all of the many adventures you can have outdoors. Family hikes and walks are one of the best and easiest ways to get outside and explore. And our area is home to so many beautiful parks and trails.
Here are our top 10 family friendly hiking trails in Dayton.Â
Bill Yeck Park
Our favorite is the Yellow Trail
Location: 2230 E Centerville Station Rd, Dayton, OH 45459
Length: 2.8 miles Time: 1 hr 8 mins
Bill Yeck Park is a 194-acre natural area along 1.75 miles of Sugar Creek. The park is treasured by hikers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. It harbors many rare species of plant life, providing a home to a variety of animals in every season. Fossils from the Ordovician period can be found in Sugar Creek which flows through the park. The park connects with other parks and wildlife areas creating a large corridor of green space that extends from St. Leonard Center to the Little Miami River. This unbroken wooded area makes the park’s wildlife abundant and varied.
Hills and Dales Metro Park
We love the Adirondack Trail
Location: 2655 S Patterson Blvd, Kettering, OH 45409Â
Length: 2.1 miles Time: 1 hr
The 63-acre Hills & Dales Metro Park is filled with picturesque creeks, rolling hills, dense woods (including an outstanding example of Ohio natural forest), wildflowers and wetlands, all conveniently located just south of downtown Dayton.
Beavercreek Wildlife Area
The best is Siebenthaler Fen Boardwalk
Location: 1998 Fairground Rd #1952, Dayton, OH 45434
Length: 1.0 miles Time: 24 mins
Siebenthaler Fen Boardwalk is a beautiful one mile loop trail located near Dayton, Ohio that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. It is also wheelchair accessible. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Eastwood Park
We enjoy the Buckeye Trail
Location: 1385 Harshman Rd, Dayton, OH 45431
Length: 2.7 miles Time: 1 hr 6 mins
Buckeye Trail is a 2.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located in Eastwood Park that features a gorgeous view of the river and is great for all skill levels. This trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips.
Carriage Hill
A family favorite is the Yellow Trail
Location: 7800 Shull Rd, Huber Heights, OH 45424
Length: 1.8 miles Time: 46 mins
Once farmland and woodlots, more than 50 years of natural succession have created rich areas of forests, thickets, meadows and prairies to explore at Carriage Hill. Farm life in the 1880s comes alive at the historical farm, complete with period farm animals. There are also acres of peaceful beauty to enjoy on foot or horseback. The park has been a favorite place for families to spend quality time together for generations.Â
Iron Horse Park
We love to ride bikes on the Iron Horse Trail
Location: 6161 Millshire Dr, Washington Township, OH 45459
Length: 5.3 miles Time: 2 hrs 8 mins
The Iron Horse Trail (open in two disconnected segments) utilizes approximately 2 miles of former Penn Central right-of-way, providing users a pleasant route through neighborhoods, as well as a link to Centerville’s Iron Horse Park and Kettering’s State Farm Park. In the north, the paved pathway connects to Dayton’s Creekside Trail, which itself leads to other trails feeding into the city’s vibrant downtown.
Taylorsville Metro ParkÂ
The Yellow Trail is always fun
Location: 2000 US-40, Vandalia, OH 45377
Length: 1.8 miles Time: 51 mins
The area that is now Taylorsville Metro Park was once one of the busiest crossroads in the country, the meeting place of major transportation arteries — the Old National Road, Great Miami River, the Miami-Erie Canal and railroads. Today, the area serves as the crossroads of bike trails, hiking trails and river recreation. The park is a gateway to new outdoor experiences, such as running, biking, hiking, fishing and paddling. Your journey is waiting to begin.
Possum Creek Metro Park
Be sure to check out Possum Creek Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Purple Trail Loops
Location: 4790 Frytown Rd, Dayton, OH 45417
Length: 1.8 miles Time: 46 mins
Adults and children alike will love exploring the blend of nature, history and community at Possum Creek. Hike together in one of Ohio’s best examples of a tallgrass prairie. It’s hard to imagine that this home for butterflies and bluebirds was once degraded farmland. Argonne Lake’s open vistas of woodlands and wildlife provide the perfect setting for fishing for catfish, bass or trout. Youngsters will love visiting the farm to see the barnyard animals and learn about the food we eat. Camp overnight or picnic with family and friends. Discover remnants of the past along the Argonne Forest Trail. Come back often to enjoy the seasonal changes and make outdoor memories that will last a lifetime.
Englewood Metro Park
Get out and explore the White Trail Loop
Location: 4361 W National Rd, Dayton, OH 45414
Length: 1.2 miles Time:32 mins
The city of Englewood serves as the western boundary for a large portion of Englewood Metro Park. This nature-filled park, one of the largest in the region, has been part of the Englewood community for more than 50 years.Â
