BackpackOhio.com status: Trail hiked November, 2021. A new Trail Guide is now available..
County: Franklin
Nearest town: Grove City
Total distance: : Two loops totaling 10.7 miles
Permit/Fees: Camping is permitted only at designated locations and a (free) permit is required. Reservations can be made through metroparks.net.
Trail conditions: The trail is easy to walk. Route is generally flat with sufficient blazing. The surface varies from dirt to mowed grass. Elevation change from the low point to the highest point on the trail is under 100 feet. A latrine is located at the Trailhead. Each backpacking site has locations for tents, a picnic table and a fire ring. Camp 3 has poles for hammock hanging.
Blazes: Yellow Carsonite posts and blazes
Water: Potable water is available seasonally at locations within the park. The trail is often near either the Big or Little Darby Creek. Always filter/purify water taken from a natural source.
Highlights: Big and Little Darby Creeks, floodplain forest, large grasslands, easy trail for beginners
Maps: Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks: Battelle Darby Creek Park Map
Contact info: Battelle Darby Creek Ranger contact number is (614) 370-6254. Email at info@metroparks.net Website is metroparks.net.
Location: Trailhead at Little Darby Picnic Area parking lot, 3711 Gardner Rd (N39° 53.689′ W83° 13.219′). From I-71, take Exit 97 and go west on OH-665.Take a right on Lambert Rd, left on Norton Rd, right on Lukens Rd. Continue on Darby Creek Drive to west on Alkire Road to right on Gardner Road.
Local Information:
The Trail is located southwest of Columbus within Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park; operated by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. The park is over 7,000 acres, most of it natural area with significant forest, grassland and restored prairies and wetlands. It stretches along the Big and Little Darby Creeks which are both State and National Scenic Rivers. The trail spends time in the creek’s riparian corridors, considered mature mixed floodplain forest communities.
Wildlife is prevalent in the park as well. Per the Metro Parks masterplan, five federally-listed and nearly 30 state-listed or rare species occur within the park. Nearly 1,200 total species have been documented. My hikes have been filled with sightings of songbirds, larger raptors and numerous deer.
In addition, while not right on the trail, Bison have been reintroduced to the park and roam in large pasture near the park’s nature center. “Buffalo” watching is a worthwhile side trip before or after backpacking.
Hiking/camping on the Backpacking Trail is a bit different from many Ohio options. Specifically:
- Campsites must be reserved in advance, though no fee is charged for the permit.
- In fact, you are to have a permit to even hike on the Backpack Trail. I assume that keeps the crowds down.
- You must check in and meet with the Park Ranger at the Trailhead before heading back to your site.
- A full list of regulations is available, along with the reservation process, at metroparks.net.
A new complete Battelle Darby report is now available.
