Summit 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.

Akron Zoo (Zoo)

• Official Site
• Location:
  • 500 Euclid Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44307
  • GPS coordinates: 41.076172, -81.5433797
  • View on Google Maps
• 50 acres in all
• Miscellaneous info: 700 animals of 90 species. 1 million visitors / year. Aquarium, penguin exhibit

Bike and Hike Trail (Bike Path)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Location:
  • 64 W Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio 44264
  • GPS coordinates: 41.232396, -81.515722
  • View on Google Maps
• About 34 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
• Miscellaneous info: Multi-use trail for cycling, walking, running, skating and cross-country skiing. It is paved. Periodically the route takes you onto neighborhood streets. There are many other access points besides the address listed here. Check the trail map or the trail’s official site.

Cascade Valley (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Brochure for Schumacher Valley Area
• Schumacher Valley Area:
  • 1690 Cuyahoga St., Akron, Ohio
  • GPS coordinates: 41.135987, -81.52761
  • View on Google Maps
• Chuckery Area:
  • 837 Cuyahoga St., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1130756, -81.5273813
  • View on Google Maps
• Overlook Area:
  • 354 Sackett Ave., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1287259, -81.5235901
  • View on Google Maps
• Oxbow Area:
  • 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.118903, -81.524799
  • View on Google Maps
• Highbridge Trail:
  • 1270 Front St., Akron, Ohio 44310
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1176748, -81.4959415
  • View on Google Maps
• 171 acres in all
• Trail information:
  • 2.4 miles for Chuckery Trail (a challenging loop trail)
  • 0.5 miles for Overlook Trail
  • 1.2 miles for Oxbow Trail
  • 1.2 miles for Schumacher Trail
  • 2.8 miles for Valley Link Trail (one-way, so the round trip is 5.6 miles)
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Observation deck
• Miscellaneous info: The Overlook Area includes an observation deck that is 125 feet above the Cuyahoga River Valley. There are connector trails to the Sand Run Metro Park and to the Gorge Metro Park.

Cuyahoga Valley (National Park)

• Official Site
• Trail descriptions
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Golfing at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Trail Map for the Towpath Trail
• Trail Map for Region between Station Rd and Boston
• Trail Map for Brandywine Falls Area
• Trail Map for Ledges Area
• Boston Store Visitor Center:
  • 1550 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
  • GPS coordinates: 41.263383, -81.558533
  • View on Google Maps
• 20,339 acres in all
• 125 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Mountain biking
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Good site for bird watching
  • Horseback riding
  • Bringing your dog
  • Paddling
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Handicap accessible
  • Golf course
• Miscellaneous info: Steam train railway, biking along towpath (only), golf, ice fishing, Brandywine falls (waterfall), lodging

Deep Lock Quarry (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Location:
  • 5779 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, Ohio 44264
  • GPS coordinates: 41.229992, -81.554003
  • View on Google Maps
• 73 acres in all
• 1.4 miles of Quarry Trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Part of the Buckeye Trail passes through the area
  • Part of the Towpath Trail passes through the area
• Miscellaneous info: Access to fishing.

F. A. Seiberling Nature Realm (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Location:
  • 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.141352, -81.575825
  • View on Google Maps
• 104 acres in all
• 2.9 miles of total trail
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Observation deck
• Miscellaneous info: There is a large visitor’s center here and two observation decks, plus a 110 foot suspension bridge that goes over a 45 foot deep ravine.

Firestone (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Little Turtle Pond:
  • 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 41.016887, -81.510873
  • View on Google Maps
• Coventry Oaks Area:
  • 40 Axline Ave., Akron, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 41.0140473, -81.5238817
  • View on Google Maps
• Sled Hill Drop-off:
  • 55 E. Warner Rd., Akron, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 41.010621, -81.521752
  • View on Google Maps
• Tuscarawas Meadows Area:
  • 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 41.011074, -81.514027
  • View on Google Maps
• 258 acres in all
• 3.6 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
• Miscellaneous info: Easy walking paths, but watch out for poison sumac (a shrub).

Freedom Trail (Bike Path)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Middlebury Trailhead:
  • 1765 Northeast Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1348611, -81.3954414
  • View on Google Maps
• Lions Park:
  • 245 Northeast Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1070186, -81.4346127
  • View on Google Maps
• 6.2 miles when completed
• Supported activities:
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog

Furnace Run (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Brushwood Area:
  • 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, Ohio 44286
  • GPS coordinates: 41.269324, -81.641529
  • View on Google Maps
• Daffodil Trail:
  • 3100 Brush Rd., Richfield, Ohio 44286
  • GPS coordinates: 41.2539439, -81.6206333
  • View on Google Maps
• 890 acres in all
• 2.8 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
  • Ice skating
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities

Goodyear Heights (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Main Entrance:
  • 2077 Newton St., Akron, Ohio
  • GPS coordinates: 41.072994, -81.448435
  • View on Google Maps
• Eastwood Ballfields:
  • 1950 Eastwood Ave., Akron, Ohio 44305
• Pioneer Area:
  • 550 Frazier Ave., Akron, Ohio 44305
• 410 acres in all
• 5.2 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities

Gorge (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Main Entrance:
  • 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
  • GPS coordinates: 41.119808, -81.493063
  • View on Google Maps
• Highbridge Trail:
  • 1270 Front St., Akron, Ohio 44310
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1176748, -81.4959415
  • View on Google Maps
• 144 acres in all
• 6.8 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Bringing your dog
  • Paddling
  • Ice skating
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
• Miscellaneous info: There is a recess cave here of historic interest, but it sounds like severe weather washed out the trail to it.

Hale Farm & Village (Historical Society)

• Official Site
• Blog
• Plan Your Visit
• Location:
  • 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, Ohio 44264
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1928036, -81.6643612
  • View on Google Maps
• 90 acres in all
• Facilities:
  • Historic farm
• Miscellaneous info: Go on a self-guided tour of the site which offers 32 historic structures, farm animals, heritage gardens, farming and early American craft and trade demonstrations (such as glassblowing, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, candle making, pottery, and broom making)

Hampton Hills (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Main Entrance:
  • 2925 Akron Peninsula Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.168139, -81.569141
  • View on Google Maps
• Archery Range:
  • 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223
• Mountain Bike Area:
  • 2092 Theiss Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1505094, -81.5548445
  • View on Google Maps
• Top O’ the World Area:
  • 1285 Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223
  • GPS coordinates: 41.169835, -81.550891
  • View on Google Maps
• 655 acres in all
• 4.8 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Archery range
• Miscellaneous info: The two trails in the park are among the Metro Park’s most strenuous.

Karlo Fen (State Nature Preserve)

• Official Site
• 18 acres in all
• Facilities:
  • Permit only
• Miscellaneous info: Contact Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources for a PERMIT and preserve information

Liberty Park (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Liberty Park Boating Rules
• Twinsburg Ledges Area & Nature Center:
  • 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
  • GPS coordinates: 41.337735, -81.418862
  • View on Google Maps
• Recreation Area:
  • 9385 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
  • View on Google Maps
• Pond Brook Conservation Area:
  • 3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
  • View on Google Maps
• 1,908 acre in all
• 8.2 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Good site for bird watching
  • Bringing your dog
  • Low-horsepower boating (depending on the park, this may mean boats with electric motors, boats whose motors do not exceed a specific horsepower, or boats with any horsepower motor as long as no wake is generated; check the official site for details)
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Archery range

Munroe Falls (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Munroe Falls Boating Rules
• Tallmadge Meadows Area:
  • 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
  • GPS coordinates: 41.124237, -81.440109
  • View on Google Maps
• Lake Area:
  • 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, Ohio 44262
  • GPS coordinates: 41.13274, -81.4243047
  • View on Google Maps
• 509 acres in all
• 4.55 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
  • Paddling
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Swimming beach
• Miscellaneous info: The hiking trails are easy to moderate in difficulty. Although official site indicates that recreational boating can occur here, it is unclear whether this includes motorized boating.

Myersville Fen (State Nature Preserve)

• Official Site
• 27 acres in all
• Facilities:
  • Permit only
• Miscellaneous info: Contact Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources for a PERMIT and preserve information

Nimisila Reservoir (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Park Map
• Lot C1:
  • 5034 Christman Rd., Green, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 40.9517692, -81.5263318
  • View on Google Maps
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Bringing your dog
  • Low-horsepower boating (depending on the park, this may mean boats with electric motors, boats whose motors do not exceed a specific horsepower, or boats with any horsepower motor as long as no wake is generated; check the official site for details)
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
• Miscellaneous info: In 2015, Summit Metro Parks signed a 25-year agreement with the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources to manage the reservoir.

O’Neil Woods (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Deer Run Trail:
  • 2550 Martin Rd., Akron, Ohio 44333
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1703966, -81.5924656
  • View on Google Maps
• 295 acres in all
• 1.8 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Part of the Buckeye Trail passes through the area
• Miscellaneous info: Features spectacular views of the Cuyahoga Valley, and the park contains one of the county’s few alder swamps.

Portage Lakes (State Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Park Map
• Observatories of Ohio
• Location:
  • 5031 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319
• 411 acres in all
• 8 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog
  • Low-horsepower boating (depending on the park, this may mean boats with electric motors, boats whose motors do not exceed a specific horsepower, or boats with any horsepower motor as long as no wake is generated; check the official site for details)
  • Boating with high horsepower motors
  • Ice skating
  • Snowmobiling
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Disc golf course
  • Swimming beach
  • Dog park
  • Part of the Buckeye Trail passes through the area
  • Observatory
• Miscellaneous info: Hunting is limited to waterfowl in designated areas to those holding a valid license. | As of Sept. 2015, this state park’s campground was handed over to Summit Metro Parks which currently manages it, so there you cannot reserve a campsite here using the usual state park website.

Portage Lakes Wetlands (State Nature Preserve)

• Official Site
• Location:
  • 399 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, Ohio 44319
  • GPS coordinates: 40.9971, -81.534133
  • View on Google Maps
• 6 acres in all

Portage Path (State Wildlife Area)

• Official Site
• Wildlife Area Map
• 89 acres in all
• Supported activities:
  • Hunting
• Miscellaneous info: Unimproved site. This wet basin is too wet to enter without ankle-high boots and it is difficult to walk through the thick shrubs. This wildlife area is now managed by Summit Metro Parks. Furbearer trapping is permitted to those with a permit. Contact the state wildlife division for more information on beaver and otter trapping.

Sand Run (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Big Bend Area:
  • 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.127502, -81.541429
  • View on Google Maps
• Lone Spruce Area:
  • 1350 Sand Run Pkwy., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1292472, -81.5546857
  • View on Google Maps
• North Hawkins Area:
  • 800 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1303942, -81.5682742
  • View on Google Maps
• Old Portage Area:
  • 1300 Sand Run Pkwy., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.129732, -81.552458
  • View on Google Maps
• Revere Road Lot:
  • 2400 Sand Run Pkwy., Fairlawn, Ohio 44333
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1337231, -81.5995586
  • View on Google Maps
• Treaty Line Area:
  • 995 Treaty Line Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
  • GPS coordinates: 41.1273449, -81.5484396
  • View on Google Maps
• Wadsworth Area:
  • 1400 Sand Run Pkwy., Akron, Ohio 44333
  • GPS coordinates: 41.133886, -81.558874
  • View on Google Maps
• 994 acres in all
• Trail information:
  • 6 miles for the Parkway Jogging Trail
  • 1.4 miles for the Parcours Trail
  • 1.9 miles for the Dogwood Trail
  • 3 miles for the Mingo Trail
  • Unspecified mileage for that portion of the Buckeye Trail passing through the park
  • Unspecified mileage for that portion of the Towpath Trail passing through the park
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Sledding
  • Bringing your dog
  • Ice skating
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Part of the Buckeye Trail passes through the area
  • Part of the Towpath Trail passes through the area

Silver Creek (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Map of Cross-Country Course
• Bathhouse & Pheasant Run Area:
  • 5000 S Hametown Rd., Norton, Ohio 44203
  • GPS coordinates: 40.999626, -81.667989
  • View on Google Maps
• Archery Range:
  • 89 Eastern Rd., Doylestown, Ohio 44230
• Boathouse Area:
  • 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton, Ohio 44203
  • GPS coordinates: 40.996484, -81.688285
  • View on Google Maps
• Big Oak Area:
  • 5199 Medina Line Rd., Norton, Ohio 44203
  • GPS coordinates: 40.995107, -81.688328
  • View on Google Maps
• Cross-country Course:
  • 4579 Medina Line Rd., Norton, Ohio 44203
  • GPS coordinates: 41.0040051, -81.690317
  • View on Google Maps
• 624 acres in all
• Trail information:
  • 6.65 miles of bridle trail
  • 2.25 miles of cross-country course and hiking trail
  • 3.2 miles of hiking trails
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Horseback riding
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Archery range

Springfield Bog (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Location:
  • 1400 Portage Line Rd., Akron, Ohio 44312
  • GPS coordinates: 41.014814, -81.393288
  • View on Google Maps
• 256 acres in all
• 1.6 miles for the Prairie Trail
• Supported activities:
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog
• Prohibited activities:
  • Fishing not permitted
  • Horseback riding not permitted
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
• Miscellaneous info: The park is actively working on establishing native, prairie plants here. If successfully, park official anticipate this becoming a bird watching hot spot.

Tinkers Creek (State Nature Preserve)

• Official Site
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Mention in this post on Liberty Park
• Location:
  • 1230 Old Mill Rd, Aurora, Ohio 44202
  • GPS coordinates: 41.284933, -81.391717
  • View on Google Maps
• 722 acres in all
• 2.5 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Good site for bird watching
• Facilities:
  • Observation deck
• Miscellaneous info: Managed by Summit Metro Parks

Tinkers Creek (State Park)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Park Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Mentioned in this post on Liberty Park
• Location:
  • 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, Ohio 44241
• 355 acres in all
• 3.75 miles of total trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Archery range
• Miscellaneous info: Tinkers Creek currently is treated as part of Liberty Park, and it is managed by Summit Metro Park.

Towpath Trail (Bike Path)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Camping information
• Mustill Store Trailhead:
  • 248 Ferndale St, Akron, Ohio 44304
  • GPS coordinates: 41.092937, -81.519091
  • View on Google Maps
• Botzum Trailhead:
  • 2928 Riverview Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
• Big Bend Trailhead:
  • 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313
• Memorial Parkway Trailhead:
  • 499 Memorial Pkwy., Akron, Ohio 44310
• Summit Lake Trailhead:
  • 380 W. Crosier St., Akron, Ohio 44311
• Wilbeth Road Trailhead:
  • 392 W. Wilbeth Rd., Akron, Ohio 44301
• Manchester Road Trailhead:
  • 2740 Manchester Rd., Akron, Ohio 44314
• Barberton Trailhead:
  • 5 Fairview Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203
• Wolf Creek Trailhead:
  • 33 Snyder Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203
• Vanderhoof Road Trailhead:
  • 2445 Vanderhoof Rd., New Franklin, Ohio 44203
• Franklin Trailhead:
  • 2328 Center Rd., New Franklin, Ohio 44216
• Clinton Trailhead:
  • 2749 North St., Clinton, Ohio 44216
• 22.4 miles of paved, multi-use trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog

Wood Hollow (Metro Park)

• Official Site
• Park Map
• Location:
  • 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson, Ohio 44236
  • GPS coordinates: 41.2139439, -81.4214757
  • View on Google Maps
• About 300 acres in all
• 1.2 miles of loop trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Handicap accessible
  • Boardwalk

Last Update: Sep 15, 2018