One of the first signs of spring is getting out and enjoying the parks and hiking amenities throughout the region.
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Dayton and the Miami Valley has plenty of hiking trails that are ideal any time of the year — many near and even along scenic rivers like the Great Miami and the Little Miami River.
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The heavy downpours we’ve seen the past two weeks, however, can disguise riverside beauty as a muddy mess.
Although many trails in the Dayton-area are puddled and almost flooded in a few spots, local park rangers and experts tell us there are still plenty of places that will keep your hiking boots relatively dry.
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Angie Sheldon, outdoor recreation coordinator for Five Rivers, warns that trails may be a little muddy across all of the parks in the Dayton-area system, but there are several trails below the flood line and ideal for enjoying right now.
If you're curious about your favorite park or trail, you can check the Five Rivers MetroParks alert page for more info.
OPEN
1. Hills & Dales Metropark’s Adirondack Trail
Take a stroll through a high-quality forested wetland along the 1.4-mile Adirondack Trail that includes a loop around Dogwood Pond and a boardwalk. Click here for a park map.
WHERE: Located east of State Route 741 between South Dixie Highway and Far Hills Avenue in Kettering with entrances off Patterson Boulevard
2. Englewood Metropark’s Purple Trail
Enter the trail near Patty Shelter for a short half-mile walk through a wooded area, with a view of Patty Falls. Click here for a park map.
WHERE: 4361 W. National Road, Englewood
3. Medlar Conservation Area’s Great Little Trail
Take a scenic walk through the wetlands on the paved Great-Little Trail. Click here for a park map.
WHERE: 4558 Medlar Road, Miamisburg
4. Taylorsville Metropark’s Orange and Green Trails
These loop trails are perfect for a scenic walk, whether you’re looking for a short loop (the Green Trail, 0.5 miles) or a long loop (the Orange Trail, 3.2 miles).
If you're up for a bigger adventure, the Great Miami River Bikeway runs through this park. Due to recent rain, parts of the Buckeye Trail and North Country Trail are closed. Click here for a park map.
WHERE: 2000 U.S. 40, Vandalia
5. Germantown Metropark’s Silver Trail
During periods of high water, many of this park's trails may be impassible due to proximity to the river. However this small trail that connects to the wildly popular 7.5-mile orange trail is a safe bet. Follow this 1.6-mile trail for beautiful woodland scenery. Click here for map.
WHERE: Main entrance at 7101 Conservancy Road, Germantown
6. Aullwood Garden Metropark
Enjoy a path through a woodland and a prairie. The park contains beautiful garden displays donated by Marie Aull, conservationist.
"Aullwood is beautiful this time of year as things begin to come into bloom," Sheldon said. Click here for map.
WHERE: Located next to Englewood MetroPark, 955 Aullwood Road
7. Glen Helen’s Inman Trail
Ranger Susan Smith from Glen Helen said that while some areas might still be a little muddy, almost all of Glen Helen’s main trails are completely passable without much difficulty at all. The Inman Trail in the Nature Preserve is especially a good place for a dry hike right now.
WHERE: Start at Glen Helen Nature Preserve, 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs
8. Glen Helen’s Fire Road Trail
Approximately two miles long, the Fire Road Trail in Glen Helen is a guaranteed dry hike, according to Ranger Smith.
WHERE: Start at Glen Helen Nature Preserve, 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs
9. Indian Mound Reserve
A Greene County Park District spokeswoman told us this trail is particularly dry and ideal for hiking.
WHERE: 2750 US 42 E, Cedarville
10. Russ Nature Reserve
This 90-acre mixed prairie and woodland is far enough away from rivers to keep the trails in good hiking condition, a Greene County Parks District spokeswoman told us.
WHERE: 2380 Kemp Road, Beavercreek
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