Delaware County: Parks, River and History

More than 600 animal species, river trips and parks with varied landscapes give Delaware County several options for a stay. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located in the county and is home to more than 600 animal species. If you want to experience nature beyond the zoo, there are other options: trails through prairie, woodland and wetlands, a trip on the Olentangy River and striking shale cliffs. When choosing a hotel, it can help to first sort your planned outings by nature, water or culture: each offers a distinct focus.

Parks Among Forest, Wetland and Shale

Blues Creek Park offers a variety of ways to enjoy an outing in nature. Its landscape includes prairies, wooded areas, wetlands and a stream, along with 2.5 miles of trails. A pond is designated for catch-and-release fishing. No fishing license is required for this type of fishing.

Deer Haven Park also has a distinctive feature: the Amy Clark-Bader Bird Sanctuary is located there. Permanently injured birds are on display in the park, while songbird species are exhibited on a rotating basis. Deer Haven Park’s trails connect with those of a neighboring park. Together, they cover about 3 miles, so you can consider the trails in both parks together when planning your outing.

At Gallant Woods Park, old-growth forest and meadows meet restored prairie landscapes and wetlands. The Interpretive Gateway introduces visitors to the wetlands and explains the transition from farmland to restored natural habitats. At Shale Hollow Park, meanwhile, a stream winds through a corridor lined with shale cliffs 20 to 40 feet high. There are occasional waterfalls. The landscape, then, cannot be reduced to a single type of park: wetlands, forest, prairie and a rocky stream corridor each offer a distinct focus.

River Trips and Trails

River Run Park is a launch site for kayaks and canoes on the Olentangy River. From there, a 6.5-mile trip leads to Mingo Park in Delaware City. The trip depends on river conditions. Along the way, visitors may spot bald eagles, herons, turtles and other wildlife, though sightings are not guaranteed. This makes the river trip a different kind of nature experience from the parks’ hiking trails: the focus here is paddling and possible sightings from the water.

For cyclists, the Ohio to Erie Trail is another point of reference. It runs mostly away from road traffic and includes connected paved sections. Preservation Parks manages 6.5 miles of the trail. If you prefer walking, the Olentangy Caverns has the Bigfoot Walking Trail. It is just under 1 mile long and runs over unpaved ground, with some grassy sections. The Olentangy Caverns’ Treasure Hunt Maze adds three special treasure stations to the outing.

Shale Hollow Park is also home to the interactive “What Lies Below” exhibit at McKay Lodge. It is seasonal; exhibit dates may change. If you plan to visit, check the dates beforehand.

History, Art and Astronomy

Forrest Meeker Farm brings together two historic buildings: the 1823 house and the 1848 barn. The farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Meeker Homestead Museum offers a different perspective on history, housing artifacts from before the American Civil War. Gallant Farm focuses on everyday life in a different era: the site portrays a farm from the Great Depression.

The Hands-On Art Barn in Galena offers holiday programs and classes, as well as a fully equipped ceramics studio. Perkins Observatory hosts public astronomy programs during the day and at night. When planning outings around your interests, you can consider historic sites, hands-on art activities and astronomy as distinct areas of focus, rather than grouping all the experiences under a single theme.

Wine and Brewery Trail

The Delaware County Wine & Ale Trail takes visitors to fourteen breweries and wineries in the county. Participating businesses may change. If you include this route in your plans, check which stops will be available during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Orange, Delaware, Powell, Pickaway County, Fulton County, Trumbull County, Carroll, Ottawa County.

For the main travel overview: Ohio.