Hiking Guide: 12 top trails in Dayton and nearby

By: Kamron Taylor, Staff Writer

Take a hike! Or, bike!

No matter the season, Dayton has an abundance of beautiful nature that you need to experience.

One of the best ways to do this is by getting outdoors and seeing all that Dayton has to offer. Here is a guide to the best places to hike, bike and get some fresh air in Dayton and nearby. The guide includes, where to go, trails with the best views, everyday activities, and even tips on places with the best pet policy.

*Depending on season/temperature, some trails may be closed. So be sure to check before you go!

Here are 12 trails in Dayton and nearby you should definitely check out:

1. HUFFMAN METROPARK

Source: DaytonOriginals.com

LOCATION: 4439 Lower Valley Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45424
INFO: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Cross-country Skiing
- Hiking
- Historical Features
- Nature Study
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Walking
- Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Canoeing/Kayaking
PARK HOURS:
April 1 - Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nov. 1 - March 31, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
2. EASTWOOD METROPARK

Source: Mary Lou Guizzo

LOCATION: 1385 Harshman Road, Dayton, Ohio 45431
INFO: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Cross-country
- Skiing (seasonal)
- Hiking
- Nature Study
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Walking
- Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Waterskiing
- Wakeboarding
- Tubing
- Power boating
- Walking
PARK HOURS:
April 1 – Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Nov. 1 - March 31, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times. times.
3. TAYLORSVILLE METROPARK

Source: daytonwanderingdotcom.files.wordpress.com

LOCATION: 2000 State Route 40, Vandalia, Ohio 45377
INFO: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Canoeing & Kayaking
- Cross-Country Skiing (seasonal)
- Fishing
- Camping
- Hiking
- Historical Features
- Nature Study
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Skating
- Sledding (seasonal)
- Walking
PARK HOURS:
April 1 - Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Nov. 1 - March 31, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
4. DEEDS POINT METROPARK

Source: DaytonOriginals.org

LOCATION: 510 Webster St., Dayton, Ohio 45402
INFO: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:

Bicycling
Birding
Fishing
Historical Features
Nature Study
Outdoor Play
Blanket Picnicking
Walking

PARK HOURS: 24-hour access
PARKING: Free parking is available

DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs and Pets Welcome

5. ISLAND METROPARK:

Source: Mary Lou Guizzo

LOCATION: 101 E. Helena Street Dayton, Ohio 45405
INFO: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Jogging
- Historical Features
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Walking
PARK HOURS:
April - Oct., 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Nov. - March 31, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
6. TWIN CREEK METROPARK

Source: rlsnyder.us

LOCATION: 9688 Eby Road, Germantown, Ohio 45327
PHONE: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-country Skiing
- Hiking
- Historical Features
- Nature Study
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Walking
- Kayaking/Canoeing
- Sitting/Relaxing
- Equestrian Trails
PARK HOURS:
April 1 - Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Nov. 1 - March 31, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
7. SUGARCREEK METROPARK

Source: Flickr.com

LOCATION: 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook, Ohio 45305
PHONE: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-country Running
- Equestrian Trails
- Fossil Collecting
- Hiking
- Nature Study
- Outdoor Play
- Picnicking
- Walking
PARK HOURS:
April 1 - Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Nov. 1 - March 31, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY: Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
8. JOHN BRYAN STATE PARK

Source: DaytonWanderingdotcom.files.wordpress.com

LOCATION: 3790 State Route 370 , Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
INFO: (937) 767-1274 | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Natural Features
- Scenic views of the Great Miami River & Miami Shores Golf Course
- Beautiful wooded area
- Historical Features
- 2 Historic locks
- Historic Twin Arches
PARK HOURS:
Trails close at dusk
Trail store closes at 10
Park gates never close
PARKING: Free
DOG FRIENDLY?:
Pets are permitted in most day use area but must be on a leash.
9. GREAT MIAMI RIVER TRAIL

Source: MiamiValleyTrails.org

LOCATION: 901 Dye Mill Road, Troy, OH 45373
INFO: (937) 335-6273 | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Biking
- Walking
- Running
- Inline Skating
- Fishing,
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Cross Country Skiing
PARK HOURS: Trail closes at dusk
PARKING: Free parking is available
DOG FRIENDLY? Pets are permitted in most day use area but must be on a leash.
10. CHARLESTON FALLS PRESERVE

Source: HomeGrownGreat.com

LOCATION: Charleston Falls Preserve, 2535 Ross Road, Tipp City, Ohio 45371
INFO: (937) 335-6273 | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Activities
- Hiking Trails
- Nature Programs
- Wildlife Pond Observation Deck
- Prairie Viewing Platform
- Picnicking
- Falls Observation Boardwalk
- Hands-on Environmental Education
- Campfire Programs
- 3.74 miles of trail
- Observation platforms
- Viewing boardwalk
- Restrooms
PARK HOURS: 8 a.m. to sunset
PARKING: Free parking available
DOG FRIENDLY? Pets are permitted in most day use area but must be on a leash.
11. IRON HORSE TRAIL

Source: MiamiValleyTrails.org

LOCATION: 6161 Millshire Drive, Centerville, OH 45459
INFO: (937) 275-7275 | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Baseball Diamonds (2)
- Drinking Fountain (off November-March)
- Multi-use Trails (paved)
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Tables
- Play Equipment
- Restrooms (portable in winter)
- Sled Hill
- Soccer fields (fall only)
- Lacrosse fields (spring only)
PARK HOURS: Park closes at dusk
PARKING: Parking and trail access is available at Iron Horse Park in Centerville. Visitors may take Interstate 675 to State Route 48 north, turn right onto Whipp Road, and then turn right onto Millshire Drive. The entrance to the park is on the right
DOG FRIENDLY? Pets are permitted in most day use area but must be on a leash.
12. RIVERSCAPE METROPARK

Source: TrailLink.com

LOCATION: RiverScape MetroPark, 11 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45402
PHONE: (937) 275-PARK (7275) | Website
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES/FEATURES:
- Bike
- Inline Skating
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Walking
- Cross Country Skiing
PARKING: Parking and trail access are available at Webster Street at Corridor Drive and at the Springfield Street entrance of the Eastwood MetroPark.
PARK HOURS: Open 365 days a year including Christmas and New Year’s Day.
PARKING: Metered parking is free weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on the weekends. There are over 30 parking garages/lots in the downtown area.
DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times. We ask that guests please leave their pets at home during events.