Home › Ohio › New Franklin › Franklin Trailhead
Franklin Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in New Franklin, Ohio · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Franklin Trailhead'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.
Well-kept path for walking, biking and hiking through woods and along a canal.
What runners say about Franklin Trailhead
“Clean, well groomed, open, easy riding trail with lots of natural habitat and points of interest.”
“Beautiful easy trail, wheelchair/stroller friendly, part of the towpath.”
I wish all of the trailheads had little camping accommodations like this one. However, I'm REALLY glad we ended up here for the night. Beautiful place to wake up at. If you're a trail rider or hiker who is going to camp here, bring your water with you or be prepared to filter stagnant creek or canal water.
An absolutely enjoyable trail not to miss. Clean, well groomed, open, easy riding trail with lots of natural habitat and points of interest. From the Franklin trailhead parking lot the ride is filled with plenty of places to rest or box lunch, which I did and enjoyed being a part of it all.
Beautiful easy trail, wheelchair/stroller friendly, part of the towpath. There's a small campground a quarter mile south for overnight backpackers and cyclists. Train tracks run parallel to the trail and can be noisy at night though.
What I found unique about this section of the Towpath Trail was the fact it had a miniature campground. On this trail, you have flowers and trees to look at and in very nice weather, people will be seen out walking the trail. You will also get to see a part of a river called "Pancake Creek."
Trail conditions & character
“From the Franklin trailhead parking lot the ride is filled with plenty of places to rest or box lunch, which I did and enjoyed being a part of it all.”
“Beautiful easy trail, wheelchair/stroller friendly, part of the towpath.”
“There are vault restrooms but no running water so no water fountain.”
“Beautiful easy trail, wheelchair/stroller friendly, part of the towpath.”
“Further south, there is a lovely boardwalk area that sometines floods and can be impassable during the spring.”
“There are vault restrooms but no running water so no water fountain.”
Plan your run at Franklin Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitesummitmetroparks.org
- Phone+1 440-546-5945
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 |
Running trails near New Franklin
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ohio & Erie Canal
4.7 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
System of hiking trails & railways designed to share the story & heritage of the historic waterway.
Clinton Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Park with a towpath for walking and biking, plus picnic tables, and a public restroom.
Vanderhoof Road Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 108 reviews
Trail along a canal popular for hiking and cycling, featuring a picnic area and ample restrooms.
Ohio Erie Canal Towpath Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews
Portage Lakes State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 4,319 reviews
A magnet for boaters, this park features 8 lakes as well as camping spots & picnic shelters.