Home › Ohio › Wooster › Barnes Preserve
Barnes Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 249 Google reviews · Running trail in Wooster, Ohio · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Barnes Preserve'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.
Walking path through woods and fields for viewing butterflies and birds, with a pond and an observation deck.
What runners say about Barnes Preserve
“The walkway is paved, flat, and well maintained in all seasons, so it's great for folks who have mobility issues.”
“Beautiful prairie and woods to walk through on a flat and wide walk way.”
“Some of this is shaded making it nice on still a warm day.”
“Nearby, there is a small park featuring a peaceful pine forest, a serene lake, and an open meadow.”
“Easy walking for all levels, lovely trees, flowers, birds, amphibians and more!”
It is my happy place. I love walking through the woods, checking in at Barnes Pond and taking the long loop through the meadow.
I absolutely love visiting Barnes Preserve. It's a great little park with a solid amount of walking trails, all of which are paved. The walk down to the pond might be a challenge to young ones and those who are mobility impaired, but they're in the works to get that updated and paved in the next year.
This is small to medium sized nature preserve, with a paved, ADA compliant walking trail. The trail is half wooded, with many hickory and oak species, among others, and half meadow. Wild flowers are abundant throughout spring, summer and fall, and attract a wide variety of moths and butterflies.
A small nature preserve with a short and long loop. There is a bulletin board (brown) posted by the parking lots (there is 2 so you can find parking) that shows the map of the trails.
Trail conditions & character
“There are other trails that do go off into the woods they are not paved but the main long and short loops are making this accessible to all.”
“The trail is half wooded, with many hickory and oak species, among others, and half meadow.”
“A small shallow pond, with wooden deck overlook, is home a several species of frogs, turtles and snakes.”
“There are other trails that do go off into the woods they are not paved but the main long and short loops are making this accessible to all.”
“Nearby, there is a small park featuring a peaceful pine forest, a serene lake, and an open meadow.”
“Even the restrooms are maintained very well and are regularly serviced and smelling fresh.”
“In the paved forest loop there is a lookout deck over a small pond, where I've seen frogs, turtles and deer.”
“The walkway is paved, flat, and well maintained in all seasons, so it's great for folks who have mobility issues.”
“There is a bulletin board (brown) posted by the parking lots (there is 2 so you can find parking) that shows the map of the trails.”
Plan your run at Barnes Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitewaynecountyparkdistrict.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Wooster
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Grosjean Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 29 reviews
Schellin Park
3.8 ★★★★☆ 385 reviews
Public park with 2 softball fields, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, play area & a pond.
Wooster Dog Park
3.9 ★★★★☆ 172 reviews
Park with sunny and shaded areas, picnic tables, and a public restroom, plus water for dogs.
Christmas Run Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,000 reviews
Family-friendly community park featuring a playground, basketball courts, a tennis court and a volleyball court.
Walton Woods
4.2 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews
