HomeOhioColumbus › Boehnke Nature Preserve

Boehnke Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbus, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Boehnke Nature 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.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Kid-friendly park featuring a pond, trails and creeks, plus woods and nature walks.

What runners say about Boehnke Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (79 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Park has a beautiful pavilion with chairs and a small fishing pond.”

There are tons of beautiful native plants all through here. It was quiet, there was a nice lake, and stream runs through. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

★★★★★ — Rick , Jul 2023

Nice park off the beaten path. You pack out in front of the gate and walk back in. There is a new shelter house but no tables or anything. They had a few buckets set up collecting maple sap. The trails are muddy in spots and wind through the woods and down along a creek.

★★★★★ — Emily , Feb 2020

Absolutely beautiful nature preserve. Trails are marked well. They don't have a pic of the map on site, but you can get it from the website. I've also included a screenshot of it as well. There are some benches throughout, especially near the pond area.

★★★★★ — Nicole , Oct 2023

Beautiful new park with vehicle parking off Clark State Rd. There are several nature trails through the woods, and a small pond in the middle of the preserve. Great place to see some wildlife, take photos, or take a leisurely walk. The trails are easy, would be perfect for kids too!

★★★★★ — Drew , Oct 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 79 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 8 mentions

“Looks like a new structure was built to sit back and enjoy the view.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Along with easy trails there is a stream,pond,woods, and a decent size parking area.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“The creek crossing part of the trail has no bridge, so it is a little steep and was quite muddy.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“The creek crossing part of the trail has no bridge, so it is a little steep and was quite muddy.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Boehnke Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • Websitejeffersontownship.org
  • Phone+1 614-855-4260
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–8 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8 pm
Thursday 8 am–8 pm
Friday 8 am–8 pm
Saturday 8 am–8 pm
Sunday 8 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 Boehnke Nature Preserve

6100 Clark State Rd, Columbus, OH 43230

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.

Hannah Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 681 reviews

Gahanna, OH

LoopPavedLitScenic

Picturesque park with walking trails, plus tennis & basketball courts, a baseball field & more.

under a mile away

Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 392 reviews

Gahanna, OH

1 miShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park with nature trails, notable for its spring wildflowers, swamp forest & woodland pools.

1.8 miles away

Thompson Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 198 reviews

New Albany, OH

PavedDog-friendly

Green space featuring an electronic game, a soccer field and a playground.

1.9 miles away

Jefferson Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 197 reviews

New Albany, OH

Paved

2.0 miles away

Big Walnut Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Columbus, OH

PavedScenic

2.4 miles away

Woodside Green Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 584 reviews

Gahanna, OH

PavedShadedScenic

Park with a natural play area and other playgrounds, plus picnic areas plus baseball fields and trails, as well as canoe, kayak and fishing spots.

2.7 miles away

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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.