8 Things to do at Quarry Trails Metro Park

With a beautiful waterfall, a floating boardwalk, a zip line and a mountain bike trail, Quarry Trails Metro Park will keep your whole family entertained!

Quarry Trails Metro Park was created out of an abandoned quarry (Marble Cliff Quarry) on the west side of Columbus. The park is the 20th park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system in Central Ohio.

Quarry Trails is unique in the sense that it is a mixed-use development. Unlike the other Metro Parks, the park sits adjacent to new housing and office space. It might seem kind of jarring at first, but as I’ve gotten used to it, I kind of want to live there!

We live pretty close to Quarry Trails so it’s been a nice reprieve to just pop by and see the waterfall for a few minutes or take the boys to do the zip line for a little bit after dinner. Read on to find out just what there is to do at Quarry Trails that makes this Metro Park so unique!

1. View Millikin Falls

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2158 Old Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43228
• Area of the Park: Millikin Waterfall Access

Okay, let’s jump right in with one of the major highlights of Quarry Trails! A waterfall! There are only a couple of waterfalls in Columbus (not surprisingly), and Millikin Falls is one of them!

You can view the falls from the overlook at the top, or take the rock steps down to the bottom to view the falls from ground level.

The rock steps are not stroller or wheelchair friendly, but the observation deck is and is easy to get to from the parking lot!

It’s possible to go all the way down to the creek to view the falls but the rock steps are steep! If it’s been below freezing for a while in the winter, you may be able to catch the waterfall when it’s frozen and that is quite the sight to see!

2. Take a Ride on the Zip Lines

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: Lake Area

This will be a favorite thing to so at Quarry Trails for the kids! My boys love the zip lines here! There are two zip lines that kids (and adults) just love!

A note about parking here: The above address will take you through the housing development which is currently still under construction at time of writing. Just follow the signs to the park and there will be a parking lot right near the zip line and playground area.

3. Climb on the Playground Structure

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: Lake Area

This is one of the smaller of the Metro Park playgrounds, but it is a unique one! There is a rope climbing structure at the Lake Area of Quarry Trails Metro Park. It’s right next to the zip line and lots of fun for kids to climb on. There are also picnic tables and benches in this area.

4. Take a Walk on the Floating Boardwalk

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: Lake Area

One of the most unique things at Quarry Trails Metro Park is the floating boardwalk! The boardwalk has a couple of offshoots with benches to sit on. It’s a peaceful respite in Turtle Cove.

Fair warning here: the boardwalk does have some wire railings, but I wouldn’t call it toddler friendly! If you have a young child who is not yet sure on their feet, I would avoid this area or take a stroller!

5. Go Mountain Biking

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: Mountain Bike Area

I can’t speak to the mountain bike trail at Quarry Trails Metro Park personally, other than what I’ve seen with my eyes, as I am not a mountain biker! But I don’t know of any other area like this in Columbus! If you like mountain biking, you’ll want to check this out!

6. Take a Kayak or Canoe out on a Lake

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: Lake Area

Non-motoried crafts are allowed at Turtle Cover or Swan Lake. You must use a life jacket here and your kayak or canoe must be registered with the state of Ohio.

7. Go for a Hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park

• Address of Nearest Entrance: Any Entrance
• Area of the Park: Any Area

Quarry Trails Metro Park is a great park to hike and walk in because there is so much to see and the scenery is varied!

You can hike near the Mountain Bike Area or through the Lake Area. There are observation decks throughout the park, including over Millikin Falls. It’s possible to hike the entire park from just one entrance as the trails connect to each area.

Many of the paths at Quarry Trails Metro park are paved and that makes them stroller and family-friendly trails!

8. View a Historic Cemetery

• Address of Nearest Entrance: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive or 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228
• Area of the Park: North Area

There is an abandoned cemetery along the Connector Trail at Quarry Trails Metro Park. You can access that trail using either of the addresses above. It’s about halfway between the two!

According to an article on the Metro Parks website, the cemetery is known as White Cemetery or Britton Cemetery and it belonged to Marble Cliff Quarry. The most recent burial in the cemetery is believed to be in 1867.

Tips for Visiting Quarry Trails Metro Park:

• At this point in time, all restrooms are portable toilets. There are several throughout the park.
• Dogs are allowed at Quarry Trails Metro Park but they must remained leashed.
• The park has a carry-in, carry-out policy meaning there are no trash cans. Be prepared to carry out your trash.
• Swimming is not allowed in the lakes.
• The park is open from 6:30 AM until dark.

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I hope this helps you plan a great trip to Quarry Trails Metro Park! Feel free to reach out or leave a comment if you have any questions!

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