Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail

Ohio

16 Reviews

Overview

The Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail runs interrupted for nearly 18 miles between Reynoldsburg and Groveport on the southeastern edge of Columbus.

About the Route

The trail parallels Blacklick Creek for the vast majority of its journey, with only brief diversions at Livingston Avenue, Tussing Road and Hines Road. Though the trail is primarily paved, there is a short dirt section through Portman Park, south of Refugee Road, that can get muddy.

The scenic trail courses through several small parks and three large regional parks: Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg, Pickerington Ponds Metro Park in Canal Winchester and Three Creeks Metro Park in Groveport.

Connections

Just east of London-Groveport Road/State Route 317, the trail meets the Foor Leisure Path, which heads south nearly 1.5 miles to Groveport’s quaint residential core.

At the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail’s western end in Three Creeks Metro Park, the trail seamlessly merges into the Alum Creek Greenway Trail, allowing trail users to travel uninterrupted into Columbus and its northern suburbs.

Parking and Trail Access

The Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail runs between JFK Park (7232 E Main St, Reynoldsburg) and Alum Creek Greenway Trail at Three Creeks Metro Park (3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport), where there is parking.

Parking is available at:

Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 E Livingston Ave (Reynoldsburg)
Glacier Knoll Picnic Area in Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 4071 Bowen Rd (Canal Winchester)

Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.

fantastic trail!

August 2023 lunanoiz

This is a fantastic trail with lots of various sites to see. It’s very well kept, and I loved all the big wooden Bridges along the route. It ties into other trails in the Columbus area so there is much to explore on it. This trail is only 40 minutes from my house so I know I will be riding it a lot. Highly recommended.

Another Gem in the Central Ohio Greenway Network

August 2023 orangedoug

I rode thirty-three and three quarter miles on an out-and-back ride on the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail. The trail does follow along Blacklick Creek and a couple of others along the way but you don’t see much of the creek due to thick vegetation. For the most part you travel through a mixture of trees and open fields. But most of the fields are left in a thick natural prairie state. I started in Three Creeks Metro Park in Groveport just southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Heading east you will be able to enter Pickerington Ponds Metro Park in Canal Winchester and if you travel north you can reach Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg. The northernmost part of the trail ends as it circles the athletic fields in John F. Kennedy Park in Reynoldsburg. The trail connects to the Alum Creek Greenway Trail which is another Columbus area greenway trail. Simply travel west on the Blacklick Creek Greenway out of Three Creeks Metro Park and you will start on the Alum Creek Greenway as soon as you cross the bridge over Big Walnut Creek. The trail is in good shape with some tree root uplift in some spots. Portions of the trail in Blacklick Woods Metro Park are not paved and consist of hard packed crushed limestone. Much of the trail is quite scenic, but in some areas of Reynoldsburg the trail parallels roads that appear to be some of the city's busier traffic arteries. Despite this, this is definitely a trail to check out.

a bicyclist’s paradise!

December 2021 slandgsmith

I was in the area for work this morning (I’m from the Cleveland area) and I was looking for a place to go for a ride this afternoon. I brought my bike with me knowing it was gonna be about 60 degrees and no rain today. This place did not disappoint!! I recommend parking at N 39.88050 W 082.90340. You can go 3 miles on the Alum Creek trail, turn around and go 12 miles on the Blacklick trail and then turn around and come back tonyour vehicle. A wonderful 24 mile round trip! Definitely coming here next year when the weather warms up!

Great Ride

August 2020 huqwrxbx4f

My daughter and I rode 7 miles on it today for the first time and it was awesome!!! We will definitely go back and ride further!

Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail Reviews

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Accordion

Fully Open

October 2018 mcbraemer

Referring to my earlier review, the closed section was opened this summer and the full trail can now be utilized. Great ride except for the mile or two where a sidewalk path must be used. That section is not bad however, just non-scenic compared to the rest of this beautiful trail.

Closed Section

May 2018 mcbraemer

Trail looked promising from Pickerington Ponds going north towards Reynoldsburg. However after a few miles, and just north of Portman Park the trail is closed and apparently under MAJOR construction. Not trusting the safety of the nearby side streets to bypass the construction zone and get up to Refugee Rd by Hines Dr. I had to double back to the Ponds.

trschmelzer

August 2017 trschmelzer

We love this trail easy ride and very spacious path.

The trail

December 2016 modusop8

Over all I l love this trail except for one minor problem . Why wont Norfolk Virginia Give the city of Columbus that stretch of trail at Hines and Tussing so they can finish the Trail proper? It makes no sense what so ever !!! Complete that area and the trail will be epic

From Blacklick Metro Park

September 2015 kathycooper

Did not like this part of the trail. Most is on a busy street, all sunny with no tree-cover. Also, it ended abruptly after a short ride. I would not try this part again.
We looked at the other end of the trail by Canal Winchester which looked good, but I have not ridden that part.

5 stars and more

August 2014 stangfreak

We rode part of the Blacklick Creek Trail this morning from the Three Creeks Metro Park. I must say this was one of the most enjoyable trail rides so far. So much beautiful and well cared for scenery as far as your eyes can see. Very smooth, clean, and paved trails winding through the woods and parts of the city. The early morning hours were perfect, but the late morning heat began to take a toll on us, so we called it a day. If not for the heat we would have kept riding all day!

Great Trail

August 2013 daalessio

I love this trail it takes me everywhere I am a walker and walk anywhere from 10-15 every Sat and every Sunday so I have lots of places I can start from.

Great trail!

June 2013 bennycc

Initially, my son and I were going to ride the Alum Creek trail from the Three Creek Metro Park but, didn't realize that both trails connect from here. We ended up going south. The trail has a lot of turns, inclines and bridges. In fact, one of the bridges went through 270 which is the main beltway of Columbus. The trail was well maintained and has lots of shady areas. I just wish the rest benches was around the shaded area, most of them was located in areas where there was no shades at all so riding in a 89 degree temps and high humidity was a bit of a challenge but I would still come back and ride this trail. Next stop, Alum Creek trail which I missed.

Great Bike Trail

May 2013 cramten

It just goes on forever which is just what I want while I'm biking. Not crowded at all if you bike the route going South on Hines and not going North.

August 2012 kwickone

Not having been on this trail before it was a pleasant surprise. I started at the Glacier Park end and went to the Three Creeks Park. There were parts of this trail that provided a challenge being uphill, and othe parts that were a blast to be on. There are some under passes that are on a curve so you have to watch for others coming around the on the wrong side. This trip was about 18 miles round trip and took me about an hour and a half to complete. Lots of people use this trail so keep that in mind. Overall it is a good trail!

My new favorite trail!

December 2011 dustinreiner

That was a good ride! Blacklick Creek Trail has become one of my favorite trails to ride. It's open, it is a very diverse trail. You have nice straight a ways for some good speed, meandering trails both through wooded area and spacious fields Then there are the six bridges and seven under passes and some nice sloping hills to add to the flavor of the spacious scenic trail.

It's a nice long trail going from Pickerington to Ohio Dominican University. It's a long trail! It's a nice well maintained trail, it does go along some creeks and during certain times of the year you might have to watch out for high water. (You can see water markers under some of the under passes you bike on)
It's just a nice trail.

MISSING LINK NOW OPEN!!!

October 2011 clarence43232

The long awaited missing link of the Blacklick Trail that takes it over to US 33 has now opened! Now a rider can begin at Pickerington Ponds parking lot and ride UNINTERRUPTED on this trail, continue on the Alum Creek Trail, and even further on the I-670 trail into downtown Columbus! It has not taken long for this trail to become popular--I rode it October 5, shortly after the bridge over US 33 opened, and saw MANY riders and walkers that day. If you love EASY TRAILS with very few hill challenges, this one is a NINE out of TEN on that list!