Getting kids outside and into a creek is one of those activities that requires almost no setup and delivers maximum chaos in the best possible way. Creek stomping lets kids get muddy, look for critters and actually connect with the outdoors. Cincinnati has plenty of good spots for it.
Where to creek stomp in Cincinnati
Avon Woods Preserve
4235 Paddock Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45229
Avon Woods is a Cincinnati city park in the North Avondale neighborhood, about four miles from downtown. The preserve has hiking trails, community gardens, a nature center and a stream valley that’s good for creek stomping.
Cincinnati Nature Center PlayScape
4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
The Schott Nature PlayScape at Rowe Woods has a dedicated water area sized just right for younger creek stompers. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 4 to 12; kids 3 and under are free. Grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Members get in free.
California Woods Nature Preserve
5400 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230
This Cincinnati park is home to 53 species of trees and more than 200 species of herbaceous plants, plus Lick Run Creek. The creek runs through the preserve and supports kingfishers, snapping turtles, small fish, a variety of invertebrates, and the occasional grebe, mallard, wood duck or beaver.
Dulle Park / Pioneer Park
Dulle Park: 10530 Deerfield Rd., Montgomery, OH | Pioneer Park: 10505 Deerfield Rd., Montgomery, OH
Sycamore Creek connects these two Montgomery parks, which sit across the street from each other. Pioneer Park has a fishable pond (permit required for anglers 16 and up), but younger kids tend to prefer Dulle, where the creek is a bit more manageable. Dulle also has a new playground as of summer 2025, the first of its kind in the Cincinnati area.
French Park
3012 Section Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45237
At 275 acres, French Park has room to roam and creek access to match. It’s a solid spring or summer destination when you want a longer outing.
Gower Park
10997 Thornview Dr., Sharonville, OH 45241
There’s a creek just beyond the playground here, and it’s a manageable size for supervised kids. The playground is well-equipped and the park is largely fenced, which helps. Bring rain boots.
Long Branch Farm & Trails
6926 Gaynor Rd., Goshen, OH 45122
This Cincinnati Nature Center property has creek crossings along its Salamander Trail and access to Long Branch Creek. Note that Long Branch Farm & Trails is open to Cincinnati Nature Center members only. Check the CNC calendar for current hours and events.
Mt. Airy Forest
5083 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223
Cincinnati’s largest urban park at 1,459 acres, Mt. Airy Forest has miles of hiking and bridle trails, plus plenty of areas with shallow water for stomping.
Sharon Woods
11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241
Sharon Creek winds through this Great Park, with plenty of shallow spots along the Gorge Trail for creek stomping. Kids will want to stop and look at the waterfalls — just follow posted signs and stay out of restricted areas near overhangs. A Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter ($10/year for Hamilton County residents; $16/year for non-residents; daily passes also available).
Summit Park
4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, OH
Summit Park’s Children’s Nature Playscape takes creek stomping up a notch, with shallow water play, mud, logs, rocks and natural building materials designed for unstructured outdoor play. The park is free and open dawn to midnight.
Triple Creek Park
2700 Buell Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251
With three creeks running through the property, Triple Creek delivers on its name. The 177-acre park also has fishing open to the public. A Motor Vehicle Permit is required (same rates as Sharon Woods above).
What to bring: rain boots or water shoes, a change of clothes, sunscreen and a hat. Pay attention to posted signs, stay out of restricted areas, and keep an eye on your kids around waterfalls and deeper water.
