HomeOhioHeath › Hoback Park

Hoback Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 424 Google reviews · Running trail in Heath, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Hoback Park'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.

ShadedRestroomsTrailhead parking

Wooded park features playgrounds and picnic tables along with baseball fields and t-ball fields.

What runners say about Hoback Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (424 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“But the restrooms were clean and well stocked.”

Hoback Park is a great little spot setback a bit from most of the rest of the city of Heath. It lies along the Licking River and does experience occasional flooding. Our family has been hosting annual reunions here since the 1980's! There is a pavilion here with electricity and an indoor restroom.

★★★★☆ — Eric , Aug 2021

A very nice park. The walking trail is in good repair also. It follows the river and you can see some folks Kayaking. Paw Paw grow in abundance here also!

★★★★★ — S.C. , Sep 2021

Hoback Park is great for family get togethers, reunions, birthday parties.... We have a family Thanksgiving here every November, my husband's family is huge! There is a rentable building with lots of room, folding tables and chairs included as well as a stove, refrigerator, large kitchen sink and bathrooms.

★★★★★ — Patti , Nov 2019

A great park with several ballfields and a great playground for kids. There is a party facility for rental and plenty of parking (except during baseball tournaments). Several picnic benches dot a treed area. Best for us are the permanent pit toilets, available year-round.

★★★★★ — Charles , Sep 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 424 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.

🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“There is a rentable building with lots of room, folding tables and chairs included as well as a stove, refrigerator, large kitchen sink and bathrooms.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Large park that has a shelter house, baseball diamonds, playground equipment, riverfront walkway, restrooms and plenty of parking.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Plus lots of wooded area to take walks and a basketball court!”

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Plan your run at Hoback Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • Websiteheathohio.gov
  • Phone+1 740-522-3361
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8 pm
Thursday 6 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–8 pm
Saturday 6 am–8 pm
Sunday 6 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 Hoback Park

42 Dorsey Mill Rd E, Heath, OH 43056

Get directions

Running trails near Heath

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

Licking County Recreational Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Heath, OH

under a mile away

Irving Wick Drive Trail

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Heath, OH

under a mile away

Buckeye Scenic Trail

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Heath, OH

under a mile away

Forry Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 20 reviews

Heath, OH

under a mile away

Heath Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 157 reviews

Heath, OH

Park with a playground, picnic tables, and baseball field, plus sand volleyball.

1.2 miles away

Geller Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 338 reviews

Newark, OH

ShadedScenic

Spacious spot featuring baseball diamonds, sand-volleyball courts and playgrounds, plus an open area.

1.3 miles away

All running trails in Heath, 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.