
Hiking, Walking & Running

Pick up the Pace
Regular exercise, through the production of feel-good endorphins, can improve mood and self-esteem, according to WebMD. Get your dose in the parks.
Regular exercise, through the production of feel-good endorphins, can improve mood and self-esteem, according to WebMD. Get your dose in the parks.
The only thing standing between you and that hill is your fear of having to climb back up – but don’t let it stop you.
Find out why cross-country skiers are some of the happiest people you’ll encounter in the parks in the winter. A hint: they’re outside!
Your parks are the perfect place to enjoy the many species of birds that take flight (and build nests) in Geauga County.
Dogs on leash love to peruse the Great Outdoors, and their excitement gives you an excuse to try ‘em all. But where are the most popular pooch places?
From movies under the stars to Frozen Fest to close encounters with spiders in the fall, plenty of free special events and art shows are yours to enjoy.
Look around. Get down near the dirt. Listen to the world around you. There is something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
Observatory Park is your hub for snowmobiling in Geauga Park District, with permit applications accepted through the winter.
Grab your GPS device and follow clues to find containers hidden throughout your parks, a new one each season!
Saddle up and enjoy mile after mile of picturesque trails with your equine companion. Here's where you can ride.
Spinning your wheels can be great fun and exercise, and The Maple Highlands Trail lets you bike across the whole of Geauga - wow!
Plan an overnight in one of your parks, expecting relaxation to begin and memories to be made.
Controlled hunting, which we conduct by lottery, has proven a viable management tool to maintain balanced populations of plants and animals, and a proactive approach to our mission.
From those who know the parks best, check out these recommended spots to set up your blanket and basket.
Canoe or kayak your way down winding streams and rivers to experience Geauga's beauty by water.
The hidden gem fishing holes tucked within your parks could make any morning, afternoon, evening or meal complete.
An adventure high up in the trees may not be for everyone, but it might just be for you.
From adults to the smallest Nature lovers, plays areas in your parks are guaranteed people-pleasers.
Limited mobility doesn’t have to mean limited enjoyment of your parks. Plan to visit these beautiful trails perfect for wheelchairs and strollers.
Free snowshoe-borrowing at The West Woods will give you a feel for what it’s like to walk on snow. Warning: may be really, really fun.
Not sure what to do in the parks? Wanting to learn more about local flora and fauna? Our awesome naturalists are just the people to show you around.
The mission of Geauga Park District is to preserve, conserve and protect the natural features of Geauga County, Ohio, and to provide outdoor recreational experiences to our residents of every age, every ability and at all times of the year.
This 606-acre park features the 160-acre Bass Lake, a treasured natural resource for many generations, and Spring Brook Sanctuary, a State Nature Preserve protecting Ohio’s last known indigenous population of brook trout. Boating is allowed by permit.
This 149-acre park features more than 22 acres of open water and a mature beech-maple forest. Three trails total 2.8 miles. Recreation areas include a playground, bocce court and tetherball.
This 65-acre park attracts wildlife with its diverse habitats. Three trails total 1.15 miles, and children can have fun on a new Nature-based playground.
This 644-acre park is bisected south to north by the scenic Big Creek, creating a landscape of varied relief. Nine trails total 3.8 miles, plus a 4.9-mile mountain bike trail through the woods. Recreation areas include a campground, Nature-based playground and activity field backstop.
This 305-acre park is located within the upper Cuyahoga River watershed and includes Lake Kelso, a pristine glacier-formed kettle lake, and the Charles Dambach Preserve. It is open 6 AM to 9 PM daily. Three trails total 1.52 miles.
This 139-acre park within the headwaters of the Grand River watershed is primarily wooded and includes wetlands, streams and uplands. Four trails total 1.62 miles. Recreation areas include a campground, an activity field backstop, horseshoe pits and tetherball.
This 127-acre park is home to forested areas of various ages, two man-made ponds and Cuyahoga River tributaries. Three trails total 2.2 miles. Recreation areas include a ropes course, pump track/single mountain bike track, freeform boulder wall and Nature-based playground.
This 132-acre park is a favorite for birders, canoers and kayakers along the Upper Cuyahoga River, a state-designated Scenic River. Two trails total 1.26 miles.
This 298-acre park features a 100-acre prairie and trails through the woodlands. Two trails total 3.5 miles. All ages will enjoy a Pollinator Play Garden, added in 2022 by the Foundation for Geauga Parks, and play tetherball beside the lodge.
This 926-acre park is leased from the City of Akron in a partnership that allows for conservation of natural areas as well as enjoyment of recreation and outdoor education. Five trails total 4.7 miles. A secondary entrance is located at 15055 Mayfield Road (Rt. 322).
This 131-acre park provides access to Cleveland Metroparks' South Chagrin Reservation bridle trail and is accessible by two separate entrances. Five trails total 2.75 miles. Holbrook Hollows' main entrance features a reservable lodge with a back garage door that opens to a unique tiered patio with a fire pit, as well as a nearby Nature-themed/based playground with hillside slides and agility ropes. The secondary entrance, known as Franklin Marsh, is located at 16895 Franklin Street and features an open-air shelter, Nature-based playground, restrooms, water fountain and scenic marsh overlook.
This trail’s three sections stretch a total 21.1 miles across the entire county featuring two award-winning covered bridges to the south. Three links to this trail add another 1.08 miles. Horseback riding is only permitted along the south section.
In October 2018, Geauga Park District approved the 15-year lease of 317 acres from Russell Township Park District that included the approximately 53 acres within Modroo Preserve. One trail totals .8 miles.
This 32-acre park provides access to the central section of The Maple Highlands Trail. Its free-to-use bicycle repair station was donated by the Cleveland Touring Club.
This 1,100-acre park encourages visitors to explore Nature from the ground to the galaxies. Six trails total 3.97 miles. Numerous site features include a trail with interactive "planetary pods," life-sized Great Pyramid cornerstones, and access to the Nassau Astronomical Station.
This 237-acre park, formerly managed as a golf course, is in the process of reclaiming a natural landscape. Six trails total 3.6 miles. Children can have fun on an orchard-themed playground here.
This 594-acre park features the Chagrin River, the old Interurban Railroad Junction, and one of Geauga County’s nesting colonies of Great Blue Heron. Two trails total 2.13 miles. Children can have fun in a play area here.
In October 2018, Geauga Park District approved the 15-year lease of 317 acres from Russell Township Park District that included the 123 acres within Russell Updates Preserve. Three trails total 2 miles.
This 73-acre park was maintained for horticultural purposes for much of the 20th century. Four trails total 1.64 miles. A bocce court is also available first come, first served.
This 412-acre park, situated in the countryside among Amish farms, features a working sugarbush and offers access to The Maple Highlands Trail-South. Ten trails total six miles. Recreation areas include a playground, activity field backstop, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits and tetherball.
This area of Big Creek Park is accessible by two separate entrances, Tupelo Pond in Big Creek Park on Ravenna Road and Bridle Trails at 12000 Woodin Road. Two trails total 2.9 miles. Nearby, Big Creek Park’s main entrance offers nine more trails totaling 3.5 miles.
This 180-acre park, formerly Wicked Woods Golf Course, was purchased by Geauga Park District in November 2018 with the intent of restoring these lands to a more natural state. Its updated trail system totals 3.8 miles. Children can have fun here on a Nature-based playground, and a public pavilion is features picnic tables, restrooms and a water refill station.
This 101-acre park, donated in memory of Walter C. Best, founder of the nearby Best Sand Corporation, who built its 30-acre lake because of his interest in waterfowl, is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Three trails total 1.6 miles.
This approximately 87-acre park is home to an impressive 45-foot gorge exposing Sharon sandstone and Sharon conglomerate formed around 300 million years ago. The park's first trail, traveling along the gorge with two scenic overlooks, totals .33 miles.
This 956-acre park protects the sandstone ledges of Ansel’s Cave, Silver Creek and its watershed, extensive wetlands and mature forests. Its nature center is a popular attraction with its large wildlife feeding area and hands-on interpretive displays. Nine trails total 6.95 miles.
This 187-acre park, part of which is leased from the Geauga County Commissioners, is bisected by deep ravines of two streams that flow into Big Creek. Three trails total 1.1 miles.
This 4-acre park, the first property to be acquired by the Park District in 1964, is an easy pullover stop with a small parking area and picnic tables.
When you sign up below, Geauga Park District will also email you about upcoming programs and events based on the interests you select. We look forward to keeping in touch!