Darby Creek Trail (OH)

Ohio

5 Reviews

The Darby Creek Trail is currently available in two disconnected segments that parallel Big Darby Creek, a State and National Scenic River on the western outskirts of Columbus.

The northern 3.5 miles of trail wind through Prairie Oaks Metro Park, a 500-acre park of grasslands and wildflowers. Here, you'll find picnic areas, restrooms and boating and fishing opportunities.

The southern segment, about 4 miles long, travels through Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, including passage through a bison viewing area.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at the northern end of the Darby Creek Trail in Prairie Oaks Metro Park (3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson). At the southern end of the trail, you can park in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park (1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway).

it’s pretty busy and..

May 2022 binarydos

It’s not well maintained, busy, and short. It does have beautiful scenery though.

Good for a hybrid, road bikes beware.

July 2021 edm2dccixh

Did the southern portion of the trail today. From the parking lot/trail head it was 4.5 miles to the north where the trail ends. Other reviewers we're correct, there is almost no shade after you complete the first little bit of the trail. Trail condition: The vast majority of the path was a crushed, compacted limestone that was in decent shape. There were a few spots however where the stone was 1 to 1-1/2 inch gravel. Road bikes, or bikes that like asphalt would not do well. If you go be sure to check out The Track; neat bit of history.

Beautiful trail but far too many “boulders “ and too much sun

July 2020 eshawger

Nice shaded trail for the first 1/2 mile or so through a beautiful forest at the south end of Battelle Darby Creek Trail. Then it was 95% sun to the north end and back. The crushed limestone trail wasn’t crushed so well at many points and one of those “pointy bits” likely gave me a flat front tire. Urgh. Fortunately it was a slow leak that I was able to pump back up a few times instead of walking back or breaking out the tube repair kit.

Two Nice Pieces of Trail That Need to be Connected and Extended

September 2018 orangedoug

I rode both the Battelle Darby Creek and the Prairie Oaks Metro Parks sections of this trail. Interstate 70 and U.S. 40 seem to be the obstacles to connecting these trails. The trail surface is gravel that varies in size from crushed to medium-sized rocks with some areas well compacted and others very soft. Definitely not recommended for road bikes with skinny tires. I don't think the trail surface will be upgraded to something better as the trail intersects with bridle trails within these metro parks. Much of the land in these two metro parks has been reverted back to prairie vegetation and restoration. As a result riding or hiking this trail in the late Summer or Fall might not be enjoyable for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. I would love to see the current parts of this trail connected and then also expanded further north to connect with the Heritage Rail Trail in Hilliard or Plain City, Ohio and further south to connect to the Camp Chase Trail and then beyond to Harrisburg or Orient, Ohio.