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Blacklick Woods Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 546 Google reviews · Running trail in Reynoldsburg, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Blacklick Woods Nature Center'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.

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Vast park, complete with a nature center, a playground and multiple trails for walking, plus an aquarium and kids' activities.

What runners say about Blacklick Woods Nature Center

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (546 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The (ground) walking trail behind the treetop is well maintained and raised in some areas.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Our son had a blast and enjoyed looking out the windows that gave a great view to watch the birds, squirrels and chipmunks outside at a close distance without scaring them away.”

🌳 shaded & cool 8 mentions

“I now know to park at the canopy so i will make my way back eventually, its hard to get lost from that point, i just feel like the mapping poles they have could be improved a bit.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“The Canopy Walk has some amazing views of the woods, and the trails are all well marked and easy to follow.”

Such a great park and so well maintained! The walk paths are very helpful through the muddy areas! Lots of activities for the kids and plenty of space to roam! Can’t wait for the new things to come! I was there during the holiday season and loved the lights the displayed!! A hidden gem in Columbus metro parks!!

★★★★★ — Anita , Dec 2023

A great place to spend an afternoon with young kids! We arrived a little after 5 and it was empty except for us. A few families came and went while we were there, but we stayed for around 90 minutes. I'm glad we wore masks because only one other family and the park ranger at the center wore masks, too.

★★★★★ — Aileen , Sep 2021

The Blacklick Woods Metro Park nature Center offers visitors activities inside the center as well as outside. You can spend time inside looking outside around the pond and woods to see many different animals. There is also a large variety of birds. There are coloring activities for children.

★★★★★ — Cheryl , Nov 2025

I love this park, i really do. The one major problem i have, is that the trails could use better maps or directions. Im pretty savvy, and i can usually figure out a map. But ive gotten lost several times in there, trying to read the map and getting the location wrong of where i should be or what the trail leads too.

★★★★☆ — Stephen , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 546 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.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 8 mentions

“I now know to park at the canopy so i will make my way back eventually, its hard to get lost from that point, i just feel like the mapping poles they have could be improved a bit.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Our son had a blast and enjoyed looking out the windows that gave a great view to watch the birds, squirrels and chipmunks outside at a close distance without scaring them away.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There are no restrooms the restrooms are at the front of the trail leading to the nature center.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The rocky path is a must-see, though it may surprise you if you didn’t realise you were signing up for a real hike!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“The nature center is nestled in the woods, with a paved trail leading to it from the parking lot.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“There are a lot of paths to walk with dogs.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Trails around nature center were the best I've ever been on for wheelchairs.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

“The nature center is nestled in the woods, with a paved trail leading to it from the parking lot.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“They do offer a water fountain inside.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at Blacklick Woods Nature Center

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitemetroparks.net
  • Phone(614) 861-8759
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 9 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–8 PM
Thursday 9 AM–8 PM
Friday 9 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–8 PM
Sunday 9 AM–8 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 Blacklick Woods Nature Center

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Get directions

Running trails near Reynoldsburg

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

Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk

4.6 ★★★★★ 326 reviews

Reynoldsburg, OH

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Hiking area with a rope bridge and a kid-friendly trail, plus picnic facilities and a restroom.

under a mile away

Blacklick Woods Metro Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,204 reviews

Reynoldsburg, OH

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Popular, 643-acre park featuring wooded trails, wildlife sightings, picnic areas & other activities.

under a mile away

Huber Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 432 reviews

Reynoldsburg, OH

ScenicDog-friendly

Dog-friendly park on the river with playground, basketball court and baseball fields.

1.2 miles away

Turnberry Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Reynoldsburg, OH

Dog-friendly

Natural local park featuring a playground and picnic area along with hiking and biking trails.

1.5 miles away

John F. Kennedy Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 594 reviews

Reynoldsburg, OH

Dog-friendly

Park featuring baseball fields, tennis courts, and a playground, plus a skate park and picnic facilities.

1.6 miles away

Portman Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 179 reviews

Canal Winchester, OH

PavedDog-friendly

Park with a playground, picnic tables, and paved trails, plus soccer and kid-friendly hiking.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Reynoldsburg, 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.