Clear Creek Park Visitors Guide
Spend a refreshing day experiencing the joys of Mother Nature at Clear Creek, a 5,000-acre day-use park in Ohio's Hocking Hills. Located in the Clear Creek Valley in a secluded area featuring a variety of habitats, Clear Creek lays claim to being home of the largest nature preserve in Ohio. More than 800 species of plants and 150 species of birds have been identified at Clear Creek. Wildlife living at Clear Creek Metro Park includes deer, coyotes, bobcats, turkeys, black vultures and ruffed grouse. Sandstone cliffs, rock formations, and oak and hickory forests with a mix of hemlocks, ferns and rhododendron define the terrain at Clear Creek.
Visitors to Clear Creek may enjoy sightseeing along one of a number of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Trail length varies from less than a mile to three miles. Pets are allowed to travel along the first mile of the Chestnut Trail. Thanks to Clear Creek and Lake Ramona, fishing, kayaking and canoeing are other recreational options at Clear Creek Metro Park. Picnicking is another possibility, as Clear Creek offers four main picnic areas, including one family shelter. The Barnebey-Hambleton Day Use Area is also available.
Clear Creek is the largest of the 14 Central Ohio parks managed by the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. Throughout the year, Metro Parks invites visitors of all ages to participate in its nature programs, most of which are free of charge. The Annual Winter Hike Series introduces visitors to trails within Clear Creek as well as the other parks in the system.
Clear Creek Metro Park stretches from northern Hocking County into southern Fairfield County. It is accessible via U.S. 33 and Clear Creek Road (Hocking County Road 116). Drinking water and restrooms are provided.
Clear Creek Metro Park Fees
Admission is free. A valid Ohio fishing license is required to fish at Clear Creek.
Clear Creek Metro Park Hours
Open 6:30 a.m. to dusk year-round.
Clear Creek Metro Park Contact Information
Clear Creek is located in northern Hocking and southern Fairfield. From highway 270, take interstate highway 33 east toward Lancaster. Clear Creek Metro Park is located about 31 miles east off of Clear Creek Road (Country Route 116). At the Clear Creek Road exit, turn right and go about 1.5 miles to the intersection of Clear Creek Road and Starner Road.
Clear Creek Metro Park
185 Clear Creek Road
Rockbridge, OH 43149
(740) 385-1834
Central Ohio Metro Parks
1069 W. Main St.
Westerville, OH 43081
Main: (614) 891-0700
24-hour Info Line: (614) 508-8000
info@metroparks.net
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