At the trailhead, look for raptors such as red-tailed hawks soaring overhead on the updrafts from the Ohio River below.

Entering the forest, watch for woodland birds and woodpeckers, including downy woodpeckers and the large pileated woodpecker.

Enjoy the spring ephemerals blooming along the trail including sessile trillium, common blue violets and Solomon’s seal.

This trail winds through three habitats, including second-growth forest, with many beeches and maples and some larger pin oak trees, which offers shade for most of your walk. Open prairie space, with big bluestem grasses towering overhead, attract seed and insect-eating birds, voles and white tailed deer, looking for a place to rest. The ponds and creeks are havens for streamside salamanders, leopard frogs and even mink.

The trail offers a beautiful view of Ohio River, and you can often see barges and other boats passing by.

See evidence of the park’s rich riverfront history as the site of Lock & Dam 37. Keep an eye out for clues and foundations of the dam keeper’s home, workers’ homes and garage.

Built in the 1940s, the horizontal design and the flat cantilevered roof of the Riverview Shelter pavilion and concession stand show Frank Lloyd Wright's influence on architect Freund.

Hike along the Ohio River watching for black vultures soaring high above. Note the white feathers on their wing tips.

Fernbank was once three separate areas: Lee Park, Dam Site 37 and River Park. Before that, the property belonged to John Cleves Symmes in the 1790s. You are currently walking in the property formerly known as Lee Park. Its varied history includes experimental stock breeding and a race track.

Where the railroad is now was once part of the Whitewater Canal, built in the 1830s to transfer produce from Indiana to Cincinnati. In the 1850s, the canal was abandoned and converted to a railroad bed.

This 1.1-mile paved trail passes the Legacy Garden.  The overlook features a beautiful overlook, gazebo and lists of the memorial trees planted in the fields below.

The inner loop travels alongside of the Mill Creek, which stretches all the way downtown to the Ohio River.

Look closely in the stone bridge made of local rocks. You will see fossils from ancient sea creatures that lived here millions of years ago!

The trail passes through a variety of habitats, including forest, wetland and prairie. Be sure to check out the prairies in mid to late summer when they are ablaze with color! 

Look for butterflies visiting soft purple blazing star and brilliant orange butterfly weed in bloom and visit the small vernal pools along the trail to see a variety of frogs and many dragonflies.

The riparian areas along the West Fork of the Mill Creek offer fantastic birding opportunities. Stroll up to the lotus pond to look for American lotus blooming in July and August.

The Little Miami Scenic Trail (LMST) is one of the longest paved, multi-use trails in the United States.

The trail currently spans five counties, extending 78 miles from Springfield, Ohio, to Anderson Township in southwestern Ohio.

As the trail sneaks through the woods, the streams put on a disappearing act. One minute you see the water, the next it dives underground only to surface again a short time later. These underwater streams and other odd depressions in the landscape indicate that that we are treading near underground caves and sinkholes.

Listen for the distinct "kee-aah" call repeating as you embark though the territory of one of our woodland watchers, the red-shouldered hawk. Whether she cries out from a tree branch or while soaring above, that call means you have been spotted! You may even notice this bird following you around the trail to investigate your presence in her sanctum.

Part of the trail follows Dry Fork Creek, where you can observe kingfishers, crayfish, water snakes, darters and even fossilized remains of Ordovician-era creatures that lived in this area 450 million years ago.

The trail features several exercise stations along its length to provide variety into your workout. 

The wildlife viewing shelter is a great place to stop off and take a peek at the Shaker Trace Wetlands. The wetland is a haven for migratory wildfowl, shorebirds, turtles, and amphibians.

The 7.8-mile bike loop meanders your way through some of the most endangered habitats in Ohio: prairies and wetlands. These habitats are home to dozens of bird species and are one of the areas great birding sites.

Butterfly crossing ahead! The prairie plants that blanket the open areas of the trail provide important food for butterflies of all colors and sizes. It’s not uncommon to see them whizzing by your head as you ride or walk by.

Horse trails are free to use and open for public use. Hikers, pets, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited.

The Shaker Trace Horse Trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk. This trail is 7.0-miles round-trip. The trail begins at the horse trailer parking lot, which is located on Mt. Hope Road less than a half mile south of New Haven and Dry Fork Roads.

When is a field not a field? When it’s a prairie! Prairies are distinguished by the unique plants that grow there. Most of Ohio’s prairies have been lost to development. Look for tall grasses like big bluestem and Indian grass offering food and cover to birds and insects as you meander through this rare habitat.

Home is where the habitat is! Keep your eyes peeled for the changing habitats along this trail as you experience young woodlands, mature forest and tallgrass prairie. This diversity of habitats leads to an exciting array of wildlife by providing food, water, shelter and space to many different species.

Keep an eye out old posts sawed off close to the ground. This trail was originally the fitness trail, but now has been converted back to a forested nature trail.

As you pass by the lower section of the trail, take a look down at the small lake. It’s a great spot for wildlife. Great blue herons can often be seen stalking their prey as well as turtles basking themselves on logs.

Chiseled stumps are our clue that the beavers have been feeding in the area. In some cases, wire is wrapped around the larger trees in order to protect them from the beaver’s voracious appetite.

Horse trails are free to use and open for public use. Hikers, pets, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited.

The Miami Whitewater Forest horse trails are open from dawn to dusk, weather permitting (see the trail closure policy below for details). This circular trail measures 7.8 miles. Parking for the trail is located off West Road beyond the Bluebird Glen picnic shelter.

Located in Mitchell Memorial Forest, the 8.1-mile trail is the official mountain bike trail in Hamilton County. The trail has been designed per International Mountain Biking Association standards and includes moderate to steep terrain, several technical features and some sections of more difficult trail.

Keep an eye open for barred owls, which are not an uncommon sight resting on branches during the day. White-tailed deer might cross your path as you walk.

The summer months bring lightning bugs in the evening hours. See how many different species you can count by watching for different colors of flashes and flash patterns.

This trail connects Otto Armleder Memorial Park & Recreations Complex to the Lunken Playfield.

You will pass through meadows and travel along the Little Miami River before going uphill to connect into the Lunken Trail.

Man-made nesting platforms in this park provide an opportunity and encourage Ospreys to nest in hopes of increasing their population. They prefer an open habitat near water and these “fishing hawks” are often seen soaring along the river in search of their next fish dinner.

You might notice birdhouses all along the trail; these were put in place to provide shelter and encourage our native blue birds to nest. Other bird species, such as the tree swallow, may often be seen making use of the boxes too.

The park is home to many species of birds, including various sparrow and hawk species and even short-eared owls and northern harriers. It offers diverse habitats and therefore attracts all types of wildlife, including more elusive animals, like coyotes and fox.

The Lunken Airport Playfield Trail is a 5-mile loop around an active municipal airport. Much of this sunny, shared-use trail runs atop a levee that protects the airport from flooding and offers views of planes as they land and take off.

The Lunken Trail is tied into several larger trail networks in the region. On the south side of the airport, it connects into the Ohio River Trail: west to downtown Cincinnati and east into Anderson Township. On the north side, the 1.2-mile Armleder-Lunken Connector Trail takes you to either the 1.9-mile shared use trail at Otto Armleder Park or across the river to the 78-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail. A portion of the trail is also part of the Ohio to Erie Trail, which stretches 320 miles from Cincinnati to Cleveland.

This wide trail travels the park boundary. It starts at the harbor parking lot and the end loops back on itself.

This trail has several exercise stations along the way such as leg stretches, chin ups and parallel bars

Originally the Gorge Trail was a loop covering both sides of the gorge with a footbridge over Sharon Creek. One side of the trail closed in the late 1980s due to erosion. The bridge is now gone, but the supports remain and are visible on the lower portion of the trail.

The Gorge Trail is a perfect place to bird watch. There are a variety of woodpeckers that can be seen and heard as they hunt for insects in dead trees. Other common birds include the belted kingfisher, barred owl, white-breasted nuthatch, tufted titmouse and Carolina chickadee.

In 1977, Sharon Woods Gorge was designated as a State Nature Preserve because it contains valuable examples of Ohio’s native plant and animal communities, geological features and the habitats of rare and endangered species. It is under the protection of the Ohio Natural Areas Act of 1970.

A short loop through the woods, the School Trail is the newest trail at Sharon Woods. Along this gravel path, guests can hear and spot a variety of native birds like blue jays, pileated woodpeckers and wood thrushes. If you look closely and are quiet, you may even see deer, foxes or wild turkeys along the trail.

Further enjoy your trek in the woods by watching wildlife at the bird blind. At this secluded spot, you can watch what creatures may be stirring in the vernal pond. It’s a great place to look for toad eggs in early spring.

Another spring find along the School Trail is native wildflowers. Hikers can spot Virginia bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, phlox and more. In summer, wildflowers like jewelweed and wild hyacinth are in bloom. In fall, guests are treated to blooms such as white snake root and aster.

This shaded path is also home to many native trees including cherry, redbud, pawpaw, maple, oak and hickory, among others.

Guests can enter the School Trail from either Sharon Woods Drive or across the way from Cardinal Crest Shelter. The entrance by Cardinal Crest is flat and fairly smooth. Guests can take a shorter loop from the Sharon Woods Drive entrance or take a longer hike by continuing on one of the multiple trail routes and see more of the park.

On this trail you may see a snake sunning himself on the ground or hunting for some food in a tree. The park is home to many species of snakes, including ring necked, black rat and the northern water snake that is often misidentified as a cottonmouth.

Sharon Woods has a 30-acre lake with a 3.5-mile shore line. The average depth of the lake is around six feet. Some of the more common species of fish in Sharon Lake are bluegill, channel catfish and small mouth and largemouth bass.

An easy 1.0-mile loop that wanders past numerous soccer fields and the universally accessible playground. It is a great neighborhood trail with easy access from the parking lot. 

This trail connects to the SPCA next door, so if you are looking for a new furry friend to walk with you, you might be able to find one here!

Smell the rich aroma of the northern spicebush as you enter the trail. Look for small yellow blooms in the spring and their bright red fruit in the summer. Further on, look for tall prairie plants in the clearings.

View the oxbow from the overlook above the Great Miami River. The oxbow hosts many waterfowl species. Bald eagles are commonly seen cruising the river as are black vultures, red-tailed hawks and the occasional osprey.

Looking down you may find an eastern box turtle crossing your path. Looking up, watch for woodland birds such as ovenbirds, wood thrush, rufous-sided towhees and gray catbirds.

Breathtaking overlooks of the Ohio River characterize this trail. The likelihood of catching sight of a bald eagle late winter to early spring is high as they’re scouting out nesting sites. The contrast of the white head and tail feathers against the dark body and its massive size are unmistakable.

Listen for downy woodpeckers, or the much larger (at least as large as a crow) pileated woodpecker “knocking” on trees to pry insects from them. You might even hear their laughter as they speed by.

Visible from the trail is a prehistoric burial mound from the Woodland period, dating between approximately 1000 BC and 1000 AD. Of the over 10,000 earthworks in Ohio, nearly 40 of them are found in this park. Flint artifacts, such as knives, drills and spear points, as well as stone pestles, hammers and tablets, were left behind to tell the story of over 14,000 years of history of this space.

Enter the Miami Fort earthwork, built by the Adena and Hopewell cultures, dating back nearly 3,000 years ago. Notice the high, man-made berms to your right as you enter the fort, possible used for water retention and agricultural irrigation. Look for other burial mounds along the trail also constructed by the Adena and Hopewell cultures.

View the confluence of the Great Miami River and Ohio River at the point. Indiana and Kentucky are also visible. Keep your eyes open for American bald eagles and black vultures soaring on the updrafts from the river.

Commonly found on the trail are Fowler’s toads, zebra swallowtails and their host plant the pawpaw tree, cerulean warblers, American redstarts and fox squirrels.

This 0.8-mile trail takes you through a beautiful, mature forest.

It is home to many species of migratory birds such as tanagers and purple martins.

The small vernal ponds found dotting the trail are great habitat for numerous types of amphibians, which begin their breeding season as early as February.

The 1.1-mile trail goes through a very pretty wooded area that contains some evergreen trees, creeks that lead into Winton Lake and habitat for many different types of animals.

The trail features several exercise stations along its length to build variety into your workout.

The 0.7-mile trail winds you through a beautiful forest and along Kingfisher Creek.

The trail has many old and wonderfully huge oak trees, from which it took its name.

This is a wonderful spot to see the spring wildflower trout lily in April as it covers many of the hillsides along this trail.

The Harbor Loop Trail is 1.7 miles around the lake and includes two bridges. The trail also extends under Winton Road to the West Loop Trail, which is an additional .9 miles.

The trail passes by the boathouse, which floats because of the lake being used for flood control, and by the campground, which includes 123 camping sites.

You will notice on the hillside near the basketball courts there is an historical marker for the Science Hall School. Built in 1806, it served as the area school for 132 years until 1938, when the Village of Greenhills was created.

Along the trail, you may notice trees that have been gnawed at or bark clippings. This may be the carpentry work of the beavers that reside in the park and enjoy grabbing a tasty meal from the trees along the shore.

This 1.1-mile trail has two distinct sections: the upper forested section and the lower section that runs along Kingfisher Creek.

The upper section is a relatively young forest and travels along a small seasonal creek.

The lower portion is sometimes flooded out depending on the time of year and rainfall or snow melt.  The creek provides a home for many species of bird, crayfish, dragonflies and many others. 

This trail spur connects the harbor to the Winton Centre and eventually to the Kingfisher Trail.

As you pass the visitor center parking lot, the rain garden provides three seasons of blooms, birds and insects to delight you.

This section of the trail also provides an overlook in the spring of the heron rookery across the lake

Horse trails are free to use and open for public use. Hikers, pets, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited.

The Winton Woods horse trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk. This out-and-back trail is 5.2-miles round-trip. The trail begins at the eastern edge of the Winton Wood Riding Center parking lot, and horse trailer parking is available next to the trailhead.

Located at Parky’s Farm beyond the garden, this 0.15-mile trail is flat and provides a respite from the activity of the farm.

It is a flat trail, easily traversed by preschoolers and adults alike.

A scenic 1.7-mile nature trail.

This trail winds through a second-growth wooded area with several exercise stations along the way such as leg stretches, chin ups and parallel bars.

Bursts of color from native wildflowers, such as waterleaf, wild ginger and Solomon’s plume, will catch your eye as you traverse this path.

The forest habitat around this trail is home to several species of owls. Barred owls can commonly be heard raucously calling out their stake of territory at dawn and dusk.

You might notice large trees that have been planted in rows and have an orange-ish color to their bark; these are called hedgeapple trees. They were once used as fence rows because of the way they branch out and the thorns that they have helped to keep the livestock in fields. In the fall, you might notice their fruits that are large and green about the size of a grapefruit. Osage orange is another name for this tree.

The two ponds that are at the end of this trail provide homes to many species of amphibian, reptile and birds. In early spring, the salamanders and frogs come here to mate and lay their eggs. Painted turtles can also be spotted basking on the logs.

Many species of birds can be spotted along this trail. These include eastern towhees, barred owls, cardinals and many species of warblers. This trail provides a variety of habitats from forest to ponds to even a vernal pool.

A new section of trail was added in 2022. This 0.3 mile section winds through the wooded hillside below the Weston Overlook, for an additional trail experience. 

Looping along a slightly hilly terrain, this trail allows the visitor to experience woodlands, fields and edge habitats.

Wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, cooper’s hawks, turkey vultures, eastern bluebirds, white-tailed deer and even the secretive red fox may be encountered along the way.

Vernal ponds, which stay wet only part of the year, provide breeding grounds to varying types of amphibians, such as American toads, spring peepers and Jefferson salamanders, because predatory fish cannot survive in them.

This trail provides glimpses of the Ohio River which, just like today, has served as a crucial means of transportation for many cultures throughout history.

As the trail passes through a native prairie land, visual rewards abound with birds and butterflies enjoying the abundant food sources of this habitat. The indigo bunting seems to “out-sing” other birds in an enthusiastic rush of notes that sound like “What! What! Where! Where! See it! See it!” About the size of a sparrow, the male indigo bunting is easy to spot with his brilliant blue coloring.

Forested hills roll down to the Ohio River, offering opportunity to view a bald eagle in flight. The sun drops behind the river at day’s end, creating spectacular sunsets.

Wild turkeys may meander through, scratching and pecking at the ground, always on the search for tasty morsels, such as seeds or insects. The occasional large, unearthed caterpillar is considered a prize by these birds. Wild turkeys tend to band together in groups, so if you see one, there are probably more very close by.