We love planning big trips, but we also like to mix in microadventures to keep daily life from feeling too rote. Instead of walking around the neighborhood for the umpteenth time, we decided to hop in the car for a mini adventure this weekend.
Just 20 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus, Walnut Woods Metro Park is tucked away in Groveport, Ohio. We’d recommend it to residents and anyone in town looking for some fresh air!
Our Review of the Sweetgum Trail in Walnut Woods Metro Park
Since we wanted to see some greenery and given the time of year, we decided to do the Sweetgum Trail. This trail meanders through some meadows before entering the tall pines area.
It’s early March; the trees are still barren but the temperatures are pretty mild. Though things aren’t blooming quite yet, this makes for an ideal time to seek out some evergreens. We’d had our eye on the Sweetgum Trail after seeing it featured on the Metro Parks’ Instagram and figured this would be a great time to check it out.
To get to the Sweetgum Trail, navigate to the Tall Pines Area Parking Lot off Route 119 (Richardson Road) instead of punching in Walnut Woods Metro Park, which will take you to the main entrance off Lithopolis Road. (Fortunately they’re pretty close in proximity in case you end up in the wrong spot.)
Once you park, the trailhead is clearly marked.
We passed through meadows before entering the tall pines area. We loved the feeling of being in a semi-forested area and the scent of pine trees boosted the experience.
Some trees were down, and it looked like a combination of restoration work and recent storm damage.
We emerged on the other side to more meadows, which were lovely despite the season.
Clocking in at about 2.3 miles, we enjoyed this walk in the woods for a change of pace!
What to Expect on the Sweetgum Trail
While there are definitely spots in central Ohio for incline work and rugged trails, the Sweetgum Trail isn’t it. (You can tell from the photos that this trail is mostly paved!) Instead, we recommend coming here for paved hiking, biking, and running. The Sweetgum Trail is a solid stroller- and wheelchair-accessible option, with most of the path paved in smooth asphalt except for one section that is combination asphalt and gravel.
Dogs at Walnut Woods Metro Park
Dogs are welcome at Walnut Woods Metro Park! However, they are required to be on-leash and can’t go off trail in restoration areas.
There are three dog waste collection stations along the main Sweetgum Trail: one at the entrance near the parking lot and two more at major junctions in the trail.
Ticks are prevalent at Walnut Woods so make sure your dog is on regular flea and tick prevention and do a once-over on both your dog and yourself if you visit!
On the other side of the park, there is a 4-acre dog park featuring separate enclosures for big dogs and small dogs.
Trail Maps, Parking, and More
The Tall Pines Area Parking Lot is paved with clearly marked spots, picnic areas, and restrooms. (If you picnic here, the Metro Parks asks that you pack in/pack out.)
We used Alltrails to log our excursion:
There are trail maps near the entrance, plus some posted signs throughout the park. (Either way, it’s pretty much impossible to get lost here!)
Walnut Woods is a great year-round option and would make for some lovely snowy views!