Butler County Parks & Nature Preserves

The following list of parks and preserves includes those managed by federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies (such as the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, various historical societies, etc.).

We have tried to collect information on the activities and facilities available at various parks, but things may change without us knowing about it. So please double-check the information at the official site (click on the park’s name to go there).


Chisholm Historic Farmstead (County Park)
  • 2070 Woodsdale Rd, Trenton OH 45067
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 17 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • The site is primarily meant to be an educational facility; it focuses on the county’s agricultural heritage and the contributions of Amish-Mennonite settlers.
  • Location on Google Maps
Dudley Woods (County Park)
  • 5591 Hankins Rd, Monroe, Butler, Ohio 45050
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 64 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
  • Restrooms
  • Hiking trails in natural setting; fishing in Gregory Creek; also the site of the restored Gregory Log Cabin, an early pioneer of the area.
  • Location on Google Maps
Forest Run Wildlife Area (County Park)
  • 1810 New London Road, Hamilton OH 45013
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 82 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • The park features diverse habitats. Trails run through woods and meadows and along wetland. A raised observation deck provides a view of prairie.
  • Location on Google Maps
Four Mile Creek MetroPark (County Park)
  • 2385 Treiber Rd., Hamilton OH 45011
  • Park size: The overall acreage of the MetroPark is not specified at the official site, but the MetroPark does include the 132-acre Antenen Nature Preserve within its boundaries.
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • Location on Google Maps
Gilmore MetroPark (County Park)
  • 7950 Gilmore Road, Hamilton, OH 45011
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 268 acres
  • Total trail length: The official site says that there are “miles of trail”.
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • Seasonal flooding causes much of the area to become wetland. The area has abundant wildlife and has been designated a “Watchable Wildlife” by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, and as an “Important Birding Area” by Audubon Ohio.
  • Location on Google Maps
Governor Bebb MetroPark (County Park)
  • 1979 Bebb Park Lane, Okeana OH 45053
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 264 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • The park includes a Pioneer Village holding the cabin where the 19th govenor of Ohio, William Bebb. There are also diverse habitats, hiking trails, rustic campsites and a reservable cabin.that includes the birth-place cabin of the 19th governor of Ohio, William Bebb
  • Location on Google Maps
Hueston Woods (State Nature Preserve)
  • 6301 Park Office Rd., College Corner, OH 45003
  • GPS coordinates: N39.574436 W84.76141
  • Location: The nature preserve is within Hueston Woods State Park on the west side of Acton Lake. Check the link to the Google Map.
  • Park size: 200 acres
  • Total trail length: 3 miles
  • Old growth maple–beech flower; excellent spring wildflowers
  • Location on Google Maps
Hueston Woods SP (State Park)
  • 5201 Lodge Road, College Corner, OH 45003
  • GPS coordinates: N39.571756 W84.741004
  • Trail map
  • Park size: Nearly 3000 acres, including 625–acre Acton Lake.
  • Total trail length: 16.6 miles of hiking trails, 18 miles of bridle trails, 12 miles of mountain bike trails
  • Dog friendly (Not on beach)
  • Bridle trails
  • Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
  • Archery range
  • Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
  • The park has about 150 species of resident birds. Among other programs the nature center offers birding walks.
  • Handicap accessible: Fishing pier on the west shore is wheelchair accessible.
  • Camp sites
  • Mountain bike trails
  • Cross country ski trails
  • Restrooms
  • Hueston Woods State Park has a lodge, cottages, and seasonal camping. Leashed pets are permitted in the campgrounds with the exception of the camper cabins and yurt. There is also an equestrian camp. The state park facilities include a disc golf course and paintball field. The Nature Center offers programs and houses a cougar and bobcat. Deer hunting with bow and primitive weapons are permitted in season with a valid license. Waterfowl and raccoon hunting is allowed with a permit.
  • Winter recreation includes sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating (weather permitting).
  • Sledding hill
  • Campground Map
  • Park Map for Hueston Woods SP
  • Lodge & Conference Center at Hueston Woods SP
  • Golf Course Map for Hueston Woods SP
  • Location on Google Maps
Indian Creek MetroPark (Metro Park)
  • 6500 Springfield Road, Oxford, Ohio 4505 and 1899 Oxford-Reily Road, Oxford, Ohio 45056
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 135 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • Wooded hillsides, bluffs and rock outcroppings surround Indian Creek; the trail passes a reconstructed, Native American earthwork. Two pioneer cemeteries are within the park’s boundaries, one of which is the final resting place for some veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. There is also a pioneer church.
  • Location on Google Maps
Pater Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)
  • Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
  • Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
  • Wildlife Area Map for Pater Wildlife Area
Rentschler Forest MetroPark (Metro Park)
  • 5701 Reigart Road, Fairfield Twp, OH 45011
  • Trail map
  • Park size: Almost 400 acres
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Restrooms
  • The park includes a half-mile frontage along the Great Miami River and provides access to the Great Miami River Recreation Trail. There are remnants of the old Miami-Erie Canal and a historic canal stone house. Native American earthworks are present here. There is also wooded acreage and hiking trails of unspecified length.
  • Location on Google Maps
Sebald Park (County Park)
  • 5580 Elk Creek Road, Middletown, OH 45042
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 352 acres
  • Total trail length: The mileage for the hiking trails are not specified, but the bridle trails are 9.5 miles.
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Bridle trails
  • Restrooms
  • The park features both open lawn and wooded hills around Elk Creek. The hiking trails follow the creek through the woods.
  • Location on Google Maps
Voice of America MetroPark (Metro Park)
  • 7850 VOA Park Dr., West Chester OH 45069
  • Trail map
  • Park size: 435 acres, 35 acre stocked lake
  • Total trail length: 1.4 mile paved path
  • Free permit if county resident, otherwise $10 / yr
  • Dog friendly (Wiggly Field Dog Park )
  • Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
  • Good site for bird watching
  • Restrooms
  • Much of the park is grassland; the park has been designated as an important birding area by Audubon Ohio. There are local fees for fishing.
  • Location on Google Maps
Woodsdale Regional Park (Regional Park)
  • 1917 Woodsdale Road, Trenton, OH 45067
  • Park size: 119 acres
  • Scenic natural area with hiking trails, part of Elk Creek within the park. Views of the Great Miami River from the park at several sites.
  • Location on Google Maps




Last Update: 2017-07-24 16:32:02

© Deborah Platt, Robert Platt and TrekOhio.com 2012 to 2021


4 thoughts on “Butler County Parks & Nature Preserves

  1. Is it legal to hunt all of these public parks or no can you give me a list of the parks that are level to hint or the ones that I would have a special permit to hunt them with a bow thank you for your time sincerely yours Stan Schreibeis

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