Outdoors & Adventure
Pickaway County has more outdoor options than most people expect from central Ohio. This itinerary is built to flex – whether you are here with kids, a dog, a kayak, or just a pair of good shoes.
Stops at a Glance
- Circleville Nutrition or Ashville Nutrition
- Canal Park
- Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park
- Saltcreek Slice, Tarlton
- Metzger Preserve & Storybook Trail
- Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve
- Roundtown Trail
- Deer Creek State Park
- Gravity Trampoline Park
- Circle City Fun Center
Start the day at Circleville Nutrition (104 W. Main St.) or Ashville Nutrition (284 Long St.) for a smoothie or nutrition shake before you head out. Both are quick, both are good, and both are the kind of fuel that makes sense before a full day outside.
Canal Park (23352 Canal Road, Circleville) is the kind of place you can spend half a day without running out of things to do. Set along the Scioto River, it has something for everyone in your group.
What to do at Canal Park:
- Natural playground and two ziplines for kids
- Two-mile Towpath Trail along the river – flat, easy, and one of the best birdwatching spots in the county
- Kayak and canoe launch on the Scioto River
- Connection to the Pickaway Trail – a paved multi-use trail built on a historic rail bed
- Open green space and a reservable shelter for picnics
Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park is one of the most well-rounded parks in the county. It has a boundless playground, a seasonal splash pad, a paved walking loop, fitness equipment, gardens, open green space, and a dedicated dog park. If you are traveling with little ones or a four-legged companion, this one is worth making time for.
Head out to Saltcreek Slice in Tarlton for dinner. A good stop for people who want something a little different – they carry quinoa bowls and healthier options alongside their regular menu. Tarlton is a small community worth a slow drive through and puts you in a good position for Day 2 if you are heading toward Deer Creek.
Day 2 gives you three good options depending on what kind of morning you are after.
Choose your morning:
- Metzger Preserve (300 Ballard Ave., Williamsport) – 52 acres of prairie, woodland trails, and kayak access to Deer Creek. The Storybook Trail follows a mowed path through the preserve with a seasonal children’s book posted along the way – a favorite for families with young kids.
- Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve (4792 Hagerty Road, Ashville) – wetlands, open water, woods, and more than three miles of trails including accessible paths and boardwalks. One of the best birding spots in the county.
- Roundtown Trail – a fully paved 1.5-mile path connecting the Pickaway County YMCA and Ohio Christian University. Flat, easy, and good for walking, running, or biking with views of wetlands and farmland along the way.
Deer Creek State Park (20635 State Park Road 20, Mt. Sterling) is one of the biggest outdoor destinations in the region and easy to spend an entire afternoon at.
What to do at Deer Creek:
- Boating and fishing on Deer Creek Lake – 1,277 acres with launch ramps and marina
- Seven miles of hiking trails through meadows and scattered woodlands
- Disc golf course
- Golf course
- Outdoor public pool – open to non-guests Sunday through Thursday with a guest pass
Pickaway County has you covered indoors too. Gravity Trampoline Park is a full indoor trampoline park great for kids and families. Circle City Fun Center is another good option for keeping the energy going regardless of what is happening outside.