HomeOhioColumbus › Academy Park

Academy Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 106 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbus, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Academy Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Public park featuring a creek, a trail, and a bridge, plus a restroom.

What runners say about Academy Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (106 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Great place to relax And have a great walk , beautiful, beautiful place”

What a great little Park. Needed off the road so that I could mess w/my phone. Totally enjoyed the view oh, the paths look nice.

★★★★★ — Markallyn , Nov 2019

Breathtaking, it has everything i ask for from time by myself with nature and the sounds i dont to have pay for our pull up am app, to taking the kids to just run free.

★★★★★ — Sheila , Jun 2019

This is a very well built trail and the best place to take the beginning mountain biker. They will appreciate learning on this trail as it will build skills to progress to the larger areas in Central Ohio. The only thing I think it needs is a little better signage to get you through the trail.

★★★★☆ — Eric , Jun 2025

Parked here to walk my dog on alum creek trail. Was at least 50-100 empty parking spots. Trail seemed nice enough and didn't bump into any riff raff. Walked to Nelson Park and back, liked Academy Park better.

★★★★★ — Bill , Oct 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 106 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Great place to relax And have a great walk , beautiful, beautiful place”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Was at least 50-100 empty parking spots.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Parked here to walk my dog on alum creek trail.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Academy Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday 6 AM–11 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–11 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–11 PM
Thursday 6 AM–11 PM
Friday 6 AM–11 PM
Saturday 6 AM–11 PM
Sunday 6 AM–11 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Academy Park

276 S Nelson Rd, Columbus, OH 43205

Get directions

Running trails near Columbus

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Wolfe Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 612 reviews

Columbus, OH

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

Green space with walking trails for dogs and playgrounds, plus sports fields including tennis courts.

under a mile away

Nelson Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 459 reviews

Columbus, OH

Paved

Sizable green space with access to greenway trails, athletic courts, playground & picnic areas.

under a mile away

Jeffrey Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 656 reviews

Bexley, OH

ShadedScenic

Wooded 40-acre parkland with a community pool, tennis courts, playground & walking paths.

under a mile away

under a mile away

Alum Creek Trail

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Columbus, OH

Paved

1.0 miles away

Alum Creek Trail-Leonard Ave connector path

4.3 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews

Columbus, OH

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Columbus, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.