HomeOhioMorrow › Halls Creek Woods State Nature Preserve

Halls Creek Woods State Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 138 Google reviews · Running trail in Morrow, Ohio · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
1.5 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Halls Creek Woods State 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.

Paved1.5 miLoopScenicHillyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Kid-friendly nature preserve featuring a trail with wildflowers, and a stream.

What runners say about Halls Creek Woods State Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (138 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Although this is a small preserve, it is very scenic, and the trails are well maintained.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“This beautiful preserve has easy to follow trails and many memorable views.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“(would be nice if a trail branch went down there) over all the loop is a peaceful stroll thru the high grounds between two tributaries flowing towards the Little Miami River.”

It's a nature preserve, so no animals or bicycles allowed. Rated easy, but the initial steep switchback is NOT easy and does need substantial maintenance due to erosion. Likely was last addressed in 2018. There are not any benches or paved parts, just felled trees to sit on.

★★★★☆ — Seleka , Mar 2022

Very enjoyable trail. It's rated easy, but I'd rate it on the tougher side of easy due to the steep climb at the beginning of the trail. This photo is just the first leg of the climb.

★★★★☆ — Alisa , Jun 2020

I love this trail, the difficulty is about perfect and the views are excellent. Not far at all from the city and I recommend going

★★★★★ — Wes , Mar 2023

There is A LOT of erosion on the trails, especially the inclines the back incline is more of a dried up wash out then a trail, the initial incline with man-made stairs needs to be repaired the landscape timbers are being undermined by erosion, some of the pathways have been blocked by fallen trees..

★★★★☆ — Philip , Jul 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 138 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.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 13 mentions

“It's rated easy, but I'd rate it on the tougher side of easy due to the steep climb at the beginning of the trail.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Although this is a small preserve, it is very scenic, and the trails are well maintained.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“(would be nice if a trail branch went down there) over all the loop is a peaceful stroll thru the high grounds between two tributaries flowing towards the Little Miami River.”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“(would be nice if a trail branch went down there) over all the loop is a peaceful stroll thru the high grounds between two tributaries flowing towards the Little Miami River.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Only small complaint is the parking lot has huge potholes so be careful when turning in.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“There are not any benches or paved parts, just felled trees to sit on.”

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Plan your run at Halls Creek Woods State Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Loop distance1.5 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitenaturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov
  • Phone+1 614-265-6561
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Halls Creek Woods State Nature Preserve

3232 Mason Morrow Millgrove Rd, Morrow, OH 45152

Get directions

Running trails near Morrow

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

Ohio to Erie Trail (Morrow Section)

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Park offering a bike path, shaded tables, and a public restroom, plus canoe rentals.

1.2 miles away

Ohio to Erie Trail (South Lebanon Section)

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Lebanon MTB Park

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Dirt, asphalt and gravel tracks for mountain bikers, BMX riders and 2-wheeled kids.

3.8 miles away

Ohio to Erie Trail (South Lebanon Section)

4.7 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

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MixedShadedScenic

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Lebanon Countryside Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

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Archery Carter Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 66 reviews

Kings Mills, OH

PavedShadedScenic

Scenic riverside park offering hiking and mountain-bike trails as well as archery ranges.

5.1 miles away

All running trails in Morrow, 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.