Clear Creek Metro Park

Great walking choice if you're looking for an option with stable footing and minimal tripping opportunities. I walked about 6 miles for exercise and enjoyed views of the river and cliffs along the way. I only wish I'd discovered this spot sooner in our week. Even my interaction with the park ranger (Steve, I think) was helpful and friendly. Great place to walk and looked like there were many excellent hiking trails, picnicing spots and even fishing to boot.

I ❤️ Clear Creek. If you don't have time to go down into Hocking Hills, then this is your spot. Bentley and I love the dog trail along the creek. Leaning Rock is along the road to the parking lot. There are several other trails. Definitely know your abilities and endurance and read the park brochure at the kiosk for difficulty. There are several parking lots. There is one on the *right* in a small pull-off type area with a port-o-pot. This is the one immediately after the log cabin. Up that trail is another interesting cabin. The first parking lot on the *left* closest to US Rt. 33 has a wheelchair accessible restroom (with plenty of room to take your kids or dog inside with you). This parking lot gets you access to the more strenuous trails across the street. The second parking lot parking on the *left* and at the far end of the dog trail has a small port-o-pot and is NOT handicapped accessable. Finally continuing farther away from Rt 33 on Cleercreek Road, is a road that goes off to the right and uphill. There are two shorter trails located off that parking lot, one that goes to the lake and one that loops at the top of the hill. That parking lot has a nice restroom. There is a nice view from up there and there is a shelter and picnic tables.

Nice little metro park. Nothing incredible here. Some fun stone structures on the way in. Mainly just dense ohio forest. We hiked the chestnut trail a ways and eventually turned around and came back. The hiking itself was fun but not much in the way of views. After coming back we went to Lake Ramona which was more like a pond. Ended up getting caught in some rain which was a nice reprieve from the humidity. If you're close by this park is a nice option but maybe not worth the drive from Columbus.

There are some new trails or they are new to me in Clear Creek Metro Park. The Benua loop trail and the Green Mansions trail. Both trails are in the Lake Benua (Lake Emily) area of the park.The lake is actually a reservoir and is beautiful. The Green Mansions trail takes you to the ruins which was actually the home of the Benua family that donated the land.Parts of the mansion are left to look at and this whole area is amazing to explore.