Get an up close and personal preview of our national mammal, the bison, at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park when you watch this clip from WOSU’s program Broad & High.

Video credit: WOSU Public Media

With over 8,000 acres of trails, prairies, forests, and wetlands, choose your own adventure at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Start at the 14,000 square foot Nature Center, with a 53-foot indoor living stream and interactive exhibits, it is great for children and adults alike. Once you’re out exploring, try to spot the herd of bison who roam within two enclosed pastures. Short on time? Ask a naturalist for help spotting the bison on the “tower cam” located in the Nature Center and plan your hike accordingly.

Experienced backpackers can enjoy 10 miles of primitive backpacking trails along Big and Little Darby creeks. There are four overnight backpacking sites that are available by reservation only. Both avid and hobby cyclists appreciate the Camp Chase Trail, part of the longest bike trail in the state, the Ohio to Erie Trail.

Canoeing and fishing options are available and there is a designated hunting area; be sure to check the map on their website for details.

Battelle Darby Creek is a destination for winter activities including a sledding hill, cross-country skiing trail, and ice skating pond (weather permitting). Winter is an excellent time for birding and because Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is known as a birding hotspot, you are sure to see an abundance of species.

Osprey Lake, a 14-acre pond for fishing, with a dog swimming area, and half mile trail around the lake, is accessed off of Harrisburg-Georgesville Road in Darbydale. Paddlers can park at Osprey Lake and load into the Big and Little Darby Creeks, or adjacent to the park find Trapper John’s Canoe Livery, where you can rent kayaks or canoes. Fun fact: Fuel up on coffee, lattes, or ice cream at Trapper John’s Creekside Café before or after you paddle. Creekside is open year-round, so you can enjoy the beauty of nature no matter what the season.

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature Center

1415 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH 43119

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park website

Below is a helpful list of trails. Please note that many trails are accessible from different park areas and entrances listed on Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park’s website. We recommend making a plan ahead of time or charting your course from the Nature Center.

Ancient Trail – 1.7 miles – easy to moderate
Camp Chase Trail – 12.5 miles – easy to moderate
Cobshell Trail – .8 miles – moderate to difficult
Darby Creek Greenway Trail – 8.3 miles – easy
Dyer Mill Trail – 3 miles – moderate to difficult
Edgewood, Lake and Prairie Way Trails – 2.3 miles
Harrier Loop, Rail Way and Teal Trails – 3 miles – moderate
Hawthorn – .8 miles – easy
Indian Ridge Trail – .6 miles – moderate to difficult
Osprey Lake Trail – .5 miles – easy
Riffle Run Trail – .2 miles – difficult
Terrace Trail – 2.1 miles – moderate to difficult
Turkey Foot Trail – .5 miles – easy
Wagtail Trail (dog trail) – 1.9 miles – easy