The Blacklick Woods Metro Park added a new feature in 2024 that has offered families a fun activity in a somewhat unexpected style: a canopy walk. The Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is part of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. It was actually the first Metro Park in the system, opening in 1948. The goal of the Metro Park system is to encourage people to experience nature--and this canopy walk at Blacklick Woods brings an engaging perspective to a regular walk in the park!

 

 What is the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk?

This boardwalk-style walkway at Blacklick Woods Metro Park rises 40 feet into the air, taking visitors on a short, eighth of a mile walk through the treetop canopy that includes maples, oaks, hickories and beech trees. The boardwalk allows for a great view of the forest--and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing.  

 In addition to nature viewing, the canopy walk has several fun built-in play and discovery spaces for children. The are rope bridges, hammock-style cargo nets, and even a fun fireman's pole and treehouse to explore.

 You can check out my TikTok post for more scenes and follow my primary TikTok @mymamasworld

 

What Should You Know About the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk?

Plan about an Hour for the Canopy Walk--and Additional Time to Explore the Park and Nature Center.  We have visited the canopy walk a few times and we have always overheard little ones asking, "what's next?" While the canopy walk is engaging and unique, you won't likely spend an afternoon on the canopy boardwalk. But--this park is one of our favorites. The Nature Center offers large viewing windows where you can birdwatch and maybe catch glimpses of a raccoon, or a hawk, or even a white squirrel .

When should you visit? The Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk is open every day, from 9am to 7pm during the months April to September, and 9am to 5pm from October through March. The walk is closed until noon on the second Tuesday of every month for maintenance and cleaning.

Where do you Park?  The canopy walk is located near the park's nature center at the very back of the park. The canopy walk is next to a large paved parking area, with ADA accessible parking and accessible sidewalks to the canopy walk.

Restrooms?  There are no restrooms within the canopy walk itself--but, there are park restrooms nearby between the canopy walk and the trail that leads to the nature center.

Dining in the Area.  The park offers several picnic shelters and green spaces are perfect for packing a picnic and eating onsite. If you do opt to eat nearby, Reynoldsburg has many local restaurants to choose from. Vick's Pizza is popular and family-friendly--as are any of the many Nepali restaurants in the area. I love Jayaho or Durbar. There is also a great taco spot, Taqueria El Fogoncito, just down the street from the park.

Other Activities in the Area. Since the Canopy Walk will not likely fill the afternoon--you may need to find additional activities to round out your day trip. Blacklick Woods Metro Park has several trails to explore, the 54-acre Walter A. Tucker nature preserve, playgrounds for the kids, and an interesting Nature Center. If you head toward the front of the park, you'll also find Ashton Pond--a great spot to catch turtles sunning themselves. If you want to explore beyond the park, Otherworld is a fun spot for families or you can venture out to a neighborhood park, Pine Quarry Park, that offers trails and is one of the more "scenic" surprises in the city.

Things to Remember when you Visit About the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk:

Stay on the Trails. Since some of the park's trails are located within a nature preserve, avoid hiking off the marked trails.

Dogs are NOT Allowed on some of the trails.  The Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail is pet friendly, but other trails within the park are part of the nature preserve and do not allow pets.

What did we think of the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk?

The canopy walk is easy to get to and offers a short walk to scenic views. The play spaces are fun for the kids and the elevator makes the canopy walk wheelchair accessible as well. It is a nice place to sit and bird watch or to watch the kids play and explore. It's definitely worth the trip if you are in the area--just expect to add other activities along with it to fill your day.
 

Details about the Site Featured Here:

Address:

6975 East Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg OH

Website

 

Note:

We have hiked several miles of the trails available in this park for the 2025 52 Hike Challenge! 

You can learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate in the challenge yourself!  

The Highlands Nature Sanctuary is the largest and oldest nature preserve in the Arc of Appalachia preserve system. This 3,000-acre nature preserve, located in southern Ohio, is home to over 16 miles of hiking trails, including the Barrett's Rim Trailhead. We recently hiked the two trails at the Barret's Rim Trailhead: The Barrett's Rim Trail and the Roundtop Trail and hope to return to visit some of the other trails and preserves in the area later this year. 

The Arc of Appalachia is a non-profit organization that owns and manages the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and several other nature preserves with trails in southern Ohio. They offer a variety of programs and activities, including guided hikes, educational workshops, and overnight retreats. The Highlands Nature Sanctuary includes several trails and sites, and we were able to visit these two during our afternoon day trip.

 The Barrett's Rim Trail

 

The Barrett's Rim Trail is a 2.5-mile loop that offers incredible views of the Rocky Fork Gorge. The trail is listed as a "moderate" hike, but the trail is mostly level and is clearly marked. The trail follows the Rocky Fork Creek and edges up against a very impressive, vertical rock wall.

 The rock cliffs are massive and gorgeous as you make your way along the trail. 

Tips for Hiking the Barrett's Rim Trailhead in the Highlands Nature

Plan a couple of hours.  We hiked both trails at this trailhead and stopped for pictures and little breaks and spent a little over two hours.

When should you visit?  The sanctuary does not winterize the parking areas--and the trails can become quite slippery in the winter months, so the sanctuary and the Forest Museum operates from mid-March through mid-November. We visited in the summer and the heat made the climb to the top of the Roundtop Trail ridge a little tough, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip.

Where do you Park?  The parking area for the trail head is a small gravel space, with a handful of parking spaces, positioned between the two trails.  The trailhead was not busy when we arrived, but the parking lot had filled up by the time we left.

Restrooms?  There are no restrooms or even a portable potty at the site.  The Forest Museum is a short drive away and has a restroom. The trailhead is close enough to Bainbridge or the Paint Creek Lake State Park that a public restroom is easy enough to locate--but, plan ahead and hit the restrooms before the hike and probably after the hike too!

Dining in the Area.  While we didn't visit any restaurants during this visit, The Paxton Restaurant, is one that we have visited in the past in nearby Bainbridge. We have also ventured a little further away into Hillsboro or Chillicothe when in the area as well. Both of those cities have various chain spots and local restaurants.

Other Activities in the Area.  The Barrett's Rim Trailhead is just one stop of many within the Arc of Appalachia's Highlands Nature Sanctuary. You will also find Paint Creek State Park and Rocky Fork Lake State Park within easy drives for more outdoor activities.

Things to Remember when you Visit The Barrett's Rim Trailhead:

Stay on the Trails. Since these trails are located within a nature preserve, hiking off the marked trails is prohibited.

Dogs are NOT Allowed on These Two Trails.  There are pet friendly trails in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary--the Ridgeview Farm and Crow Point Trails--but, the trails off the Barrett's Rim Trailhead are not dog-friendly.

What did we think of the trails at the Barrett's Rim Trailhead in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary?

I actually grew up near the area and, as a child, I had been to the old 7-Caves tourist site before it was closed and became part of the nature sanctuary--but, I had never seen these cliffs and rock formations and was surprised that I had never hiked the areas before. If you have been to the Hocking Hills region of Ohio, or Blackhand Gorge, this sanctuary area will remind you a bit of that.  It was a nice day trip--but, I would have liked to have had more time to visit the other trails and areas of the sanctuary. This is a spot where you could spend the weekend (or a few days) and will want to allow time for the other nature trails and the two state parks. 

We would definitely recommend it--especially for geology and wildflower lovers. 
 

Details about the Site Featured Here:

The Barrett Rim Trailhead is near the Forest Museum Visitor Center.

Directions: Follow Cave Road south until you pass Browning Road on the right. Turn into the very next parking lot on the right. It is a gravel parking lot with a wooden fence at its entrance.

Get the Hiking Guide and Map for the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.

 

Note:

This hike was part of our 52 Hike Challenge in 2024!  You can learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate in the challenge yourself!  

We love finding small restaurants favored by locals and visitors when we venture out for a day or weekend trip. After years in the Columbus, Ohio, area, we have had a few chances to seek out food on the Ohio State Campus. Adriatico's on campus is one of our daughter's favorite lunch spots and we had the opportunity to fit in a visit over Labor Day weekend! What did we think of Adriatico's in Columbus, Ohio?

Adriatico's Fits Well into its College Campus Space

Adriatico's is a small spot on a busy campus street. Parking is a little hard to come by unless you venture into one of the nearby parking garages. It is a quick walk from the nearby garages and straightforward to find from GPS by the address.  

We were hitting the restaurant around 2 in the afternoon on a weekday, so we were pretty late for lunch and still early for dinner. There were a handful of diners--many likely parents visiting students since it was a holiday Monday. The servers were pretty laid-back. We had to ask for water refills a couple of times--but service was friendly and generally helpful as we pondered the menu. 

Drinks & Appetizers

Adriatico's has 18 beers on tap and various red and white wine options. We skipped the alcohol and opted for water at this visit--but, the option is there and most tables around us had a few tall beers with their meals.

Knowing that the pizza takes a while to prepare, we ordered the Fried Pickles. Next time we  need to try the Buckeye Bites. They are little Buckeye shaped pretzel bites that looked pretty tasty as they passed our table for others. The Fried Pickles held us over nicely until the pizza arrived!  

The Pizza

We opted for the Inflation Fighter pizza with thick crust. I am generally not a fan of crust, so thick crust is generally not my choice at most places. I gave a groan when my daughter chose the thickest crust on the menu--but, quickly found myself devouring every bit of the crust without hesitation. The pizzas take a bit to prepare. Each pizza is made upon order and and takes 25 to 30 minutes or so. The vegetables were very fresh--and the cheese was perfect. These were some seriously loaded slices, so we had a to-go box with half a pizza and no room for dessert! 

 

If you Visit Adriatico's OSU

Other Activities in the Area.  Adriatico's is located on the Ohio State University campus, minutes from tons of Columbus, Ohio activities and spots. I would definitely give a Adriatico's a visit if you are in town for an event on the OSU Campus or a show at the Schottenstein Center or even nearby visiting Grandview or the Short North for shopping.

Hiking has always been one of my favorite family activities. It is the perfect blend of low cost, no electronic devices, and opportunities to connect both with each other and nature. I could go on for hours about the benefits and rewards of hiking for both adults and kids--from stress relief, science, and nature learning, risk-taking and physical exercise--the list goes on for pages! If you are ready to share your love of hiking and the outdoors with children in your life, there are some ways to make sure that hiking is safe, fun, and rewarding for everyone involved. Here are ten tips for hiking with kids.

 

Start small. Choose a short and easy hike for the first excursion. A short hike on level or even paved trails gives you the opportunity to gauge your child's attention span and physical endurance or physical interest--and their ability to follow directions and stay near you. Small, short hikes are also useful at the start of a new season to test our shoes, clothing, and the child's tolerance to temperature or weather changes! 

 

Pack snacks and water. Keep everyone energized and hydrated throughout the journey. This will mean packing up some portable snacks like granola bars, nuts, or fruit that are easy to carry. Ensure that everyone has his own water bottle. After the first few hikes, I also recommend that each child carry his own little backpack with his snacks and drinks to give him some responsibility and take some of the load off the grownups. 

 

Bring a first aid kit. For short, easy hikes, this doesn't have to be a huge first aid kit--just something with a few bandages and wipes in case of any cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. Later on, you may need to pack more than a mini first aid kit as your hikes and risks change.  

 

Wear appropriate clothing. Opt for light layers and comfortable shoes. If there is mud--kids will find it and, generally, slide, slip or fall in it. Pack the car with a few towels and an extra outfit, including socks and shoes, along with a bag to transport wet, muddy clothes and shoes home. 

 

Talk about safety--and practice what you preach. Staying on designated trails is often required in parks and hiking areas--but is certainly recommended when hiking unknown areas or areas with cliffs or dangerous drops. Kids are natural climbers, runners, jumpers, and explorers--so be sure to set the rules for staying on trails, not throwing rocks or swinging sticks randomly, staying with adults, and walking rather than running at certain times! It's also important that you set a good example by hiking safely and being considerate of other hikers and nature as well. 

 

Go at a kid's pace and make it fun. Don't try to rush them, and take breaks when needed. My youngest daughter always found the best things on trails because she took the time to look at everything! She still does because she is a natural explorer--and hikes in the moment rather than toward a destination! Allow a lot more time than you generally need for a hike when you take the kids, and engage your children with sights, stories, games, and activities along the way.

 

 

Bring a paper map. My kids always loved printed trail maps--especially during their Dora the Explorer phases! A paper map can help orient the kids and make them feel like explorers--and it helps them practice using directions and some of the map reading skills that they are likely learning in school!

Use bug spray. No one wants to be eaten alive by biting insects during a hike! I can tell you an itchy, mosquito-bitten kiddo is no fun during a 2-mile hike. Whether using a traditional, old-school repellent or a DEET-free, eco-friendly one--it's worth remembering the repellent!

 

Engage all senses. Take the time to point out the different sights, smells, and sounds children can experience. Hiking gives the perfect opportunity to practice skills like colors and counting with little ones or work on more advanced skills like tree and plant identification with older children.  Pick up a cheap pair of rugged, kid-friendly binoculars to give the little ones a new focus and perspective.

 

Take photos. Capture the moments during your hike and share the memories with your kids afterward. While you will want to capture the beauty of nature and the trail's highlights--you also want to capture candid shots of the kids, pictures of dirty hands and feet, and even the occasional tired, sweaty, grumpy face! I always like to create a "selfie scavenger hunt" that "forces" the kiddos and grownups to take selfie photos with scavenger hunt finds. A simple list of 10 items to find slows down the pace, gets everyone engaged, and ensures that you take time to take photos along the way! 

 

Do you have some tried-and-true tips to share for hiking successfully with kids?  Leave us a comment!

Last weekend's Sunday day trip was a hiking outing to a couple of scenic trails at the Highbanks Metro Park near Lewis Center, a north suburb of Columbus, Ohio.  Most people do not really associate "scenic" when they think of Columbus.  It's even surprising to us that a 20-40 minute drive in nearly any direction from downtown gets everything from river views to slate cliffs.   This trip was to explore for some overlook views of the Olentangy River.  We opted to combine two popular trails at Highbanks:  the Dripping Rock Trail and the Overlook Trail to make a loop out and back from the park's Nature Center.

 

Highbanks Metro Park is a 1,204-acre park in Columbus, Ohio, that is home to a variety of hiking trails, including the Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop. This 5.4-mile loop combines the Dripping Rock Trail with the Overlook Trails--with a few offshoots to view a Native American Burial Mound, an observation deck and a wetland area. The Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop is a moderate hike that offers views of the Olentangy State Scenic River and the surrounding countryside.  

Getting to the Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop 

We began The Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop at the Dripping Rock Trail trailhead near the Nature Center at Highbanks Metro Park.  There is a large parking area, restrooms and picnic space available for visitors.

A Little About the Nature Center at Highbanks Metro Park.

We spent a little time exploring the Nature Center before we ventured out onto the trails. The Highbanks Nature Center is a 10,000-square-foot facility that houses a variety of exhibits about the natural history of the area. The exhibits include live animals, such as snakes, turtles, and fish, as well as interactive displays  that teach visitors about the geography, plants and animals of the park. 

In addition to live animals on display, like this turtle, visitors will also find an enclosed viewing area for observing birds and other wildlife.

Hitting the Dripping Rock Trail to the Overlook Trail Loop.

The Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop is about 5.4 miles long. This area of the park is popular, so the trails were pretty busy during our summer Sunday hike!  The average hiker will take about 2 hours to complete the loop.With a few water breaks, a restroom stop, some downtime at the wetland observation area and the trail observation deck and the Adena Burial Mound--and taking time to stop for pictures, we spent about 2 hours and 42 minutes hiking the trails.

 

The Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop is a moderate hike. The trail has some elevation gain, but it is not too strenuous. The trails are well-maintained, well marked and easy to follow.  There are well marked signs for the spur trails to the observation deck, the wetland area and the Adena burial mound--so finding all of the highlights of the trails is easy for hikers.

The Wildlife

The combined trails wind their way through a variety of habitats, including forests, ravines, and meadows. Along the way, hikers will see a variety of wildlife, often including deer, turkeys, foxes, squirrels and a variety of birds.  Be on the lookout for snakes hitting the trail for some sun too!  

 

We encountered this guy just minutes into the hike.  This is honestly one of the largest snakes I've seen "in public" in many years! I thought he was a tree root at first glance!

The Scenery

I could spend hours looking at some of the character filled trees and rocks in this park.  The trail features many spots to view the ravines and creek along the way.  

There several scenic overlooks, including the Observation Deck, which offers lovely views of the river valley below. 

The Observation Deck.

The observation deck is located 100 feet above the Olentangy River. From the deck, you can see for miles in every direction. The deck is a great place to watch for wildlife. You may see eagles, hawks, deer, and other animals. You may also see people fishing in the river below.  Seating is built into the multi level deck to give hikers a spot to rest and enjoy the scenery.

 

You can also view a bald eagle's nest from the observation deck.  You may want to bring binoculars since the nest is a few hundred yards from the deck.  We noticed the nest--but, did not catch any glimpses of eagles during our visit.

The Adena Burial Mound.

As a history/anthropology/archeolgy nerd, with some Native American ancestry, I love finding unexpected sites like this on hikes.  The Adena Burial Mound is located at the end of a marked one-way offshoot from The Overlook Trail.  The Adena Burial mound is a 12-foot-tall, conical mound that was built by the Adena people over 2,000 years ago. The mound is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the park. 

The Adena people were a Native American culture that lived in the Ohio River Valley from about 1000 BC to 500 AD. They were known for their elaborate burial mounds, which were often built in conical or rectangular shapes. The Adena Burial Mound at Highbanks Metro Park is one of the more prominent Adena mounds in Ohio.

The Wetland Spur Trail.

The trail to the wetland viewing area is a 0.4-mile one-way trail off the Overlook Trail. The trail surface is dirt and gravel, and there are no significant elevation changes so it is pretty easy and accessible for all skill levels.  The trail begins at the Overlook Trail and winds its way through a variety of wetland habitats, including a marsh, a pond, and a bog. Along the way, hikers can see a variety of plants and animals, including frogs, turtles, and birds. The trail ends at an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the wetland. 

 

Visitors should stay on the designated trail and not disturb the plants or animals. 

Tips for Hiking the Dripping Rock to Overlook Trail Loop at Highbanks Metro Park

Wear appropriate footwear for hiking.  The trails are dirt and gravel with tree roots and rocks to navigate.  As always, there were "hikers" in flipflops and sandals--but, I wouldn't recommend either for this trail loop.  

Bring plenty of water. There is a water fountain available at the nature center and near a cut-through that goes out from the Dripping Rock Trail to a playground/picnic area.  Several miles of the trail loop do not have water fountains (or restrooms) available.

Don't skip the restroom. As with a water fountain, there are restrooms available at the nature center and near a cut-through that goes out from the trail to a playground/picnic area.  You won't find even port-a-potties along the rest of the trail.  Be sure to hit the restroom before you start your hike!

Be prepared for the weather. The trails will get muddy at times and a bit slippery in spots when it rains.

Hit the trail early in the day.  Start early in the morning to avoid the heat (and some of the crowd!)   This is a popular park for families, so it does seem to have a steady stream of hikers/walkers traveling the trails in both directions.

Dogs are not allowed on the Dripping Rock to Overlook Trail Loop.  There are pet friendly trails in the park--even a couple accessible from Nature Center parking lot--but, this trail loop is not dog friendly.

Wear sunscreen and insect repellent.  Much of the trail is shaded as it goes through the trees.  Generally, I am not too bothered by insects while hiking--but, the bugs were abundant and aggressive during our visit!  I hiked wearing sunglasses even in the shady areas to keep the bugs from my eyes.  I would definitely recommend insect repellent.  

Bring a camera to capture the views.  I didn't find the park to have many jaw-dropping scenic views--but, I still pulled out the camera quite often. 

Take your time and enjoy the trail.  This will likely mean stepping aside to let faster hikers pass or waiting out large groups or families at the observations stops.  

What did we think of the  Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop in the Highbanks Metro Park? 

The Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop is a nice hike that is perfect for those looking for a scenic escape near Columbus, Ohio. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for hikers of all levels.   

This trail loop is not handicap accessible--nor stroller friendly.  There are some safety rails at spots along the steeper portions of the trail, but parents should still be watchful of young children while hiking.

The trail loop is open year-round, but it is best to hike during the spring, summer, or fall months.  We have hiked part of the Overlook Trail in the winter and it gets a little icy and difficult to navigate. 

See more on our Youtube Channel!

 

 

To learn more about the site featured here:

Dripping Rock Trail to Overlook Trail Loop at Highbanks Metro Park. 

9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035

Highbanks Metro Park Website