Let’s be honest. Hiking around Columbus with a stroller is an entirely different beast than hiking solo. You’re not scaling cliffs or sprinting up switchbacks; you’re trying to get some fresh air, avoid a meltdown (yours or the baby’s), and maybe even sneak in a peaceful moment or two.
That said, Central Ohio has some incredible parks, trails, and family friendly hikes that make this surprisingly doable — and even fun.
Whether you’re rolling deep with a double stroller or pushing a single rig while balancing snacks, sippy cups, and your sanity, these stroller-friendly trails around Columbus and beyond are perfect for a day outdoors with your little ones.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park & Canopy Walk
📍 6711 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Yes, there’s a canopy walk here. Yes, you can take a stroller on it. Blacklick Woods has seriously leveled up the family-friendly outdoor game with an elevated boardwalk that takes you up over 40 feet above the forest floor. An elevator provides access, and the trail is wide enough for strollers to pass with ease. Plus, the rest of the park features several ADA-certified trails, so you can pick a path to wander on based upon how much energy your crew has that day.
*Bonus: The Canopy Walk has a jungle gym, suspended cargo net bridges, and so much more fun stuff for you and your kiddos. Don’t skip out on this spot!*
Whetstone Park of Roses
📍 3901 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Flat, paved, and filled with 12,000+ blooming rose bushes in the summer, this Clintonville gem is stroller gold. You’ll find plenty of shady benches, scenic photo ops, and stroller-friendly paths that make for a relaxing afternoon stroll. Parking is easy, too, with step-free access near the gardens off Roselea Place.
I can already hear my 2 year old niece shouting “red!” from the stroller as we pass our 1,000th rosebush of the day.
The Olentangy Trail
📍 Runs from Worthington to Downtown Columbus
This one’s a go-to for good reason. It runs over 14 miles along the Olentangy River and passes through places like the Park of Roses, Antrim Park, and Ohio State’s campus. It’s paved, scenic, and easily accessed from multiple neighborhoods. There’s plenty of space for walking, jogging, biking, and yes, stroller-pushing. Whether you’re in for a long haul or a short jaunt, this trail delivers.
Bonus points if you stop over at the Chadwick Arboretum when you get to the Lane Avenue area of the trail… it’s one of Columbus’ hidden treasures, in my eyes.
Inniswood Metro Gardens
📍 940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville, OH 43081
One of the most beautiful spots in the entire metro park system, Inniswood blends manicured gardens with natural woodlands in a way that feels magical. Every main path is paved and stroller accessible, with the Chipmunk Chatter Trail standing out as a favorite (it’s a very chill and very pretty 0.6-mile loop). If you’re rocking a heavy-duty stroller or one with decent tires, you can even explore some of the more rustic garden paths.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
📍 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119
Where else can you push a stroller while spotting bison? The 5-mile Darby Creek Greenway Trail is a flat, ADA-accessible gravel path that winds through open fields and woodlands. The trail is packed down and wide enough for all types of strollers — even jogging ones. The views are incredible, and the chance to show your kid a bison up close (ish) is something you won’t find on your average walk around the block.
Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve
📍 24858 Big Pine Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149
This is a bit of a drive from Columbus, but trust me, it’s worth every mile. The Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow is about a half mile in and out, mostly paved, and 100% jaw-dropping. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a fantasy novel with towering cliffs, lush greenery, and ferns carpeting the gorge floor.
Toward the end of the trail, the pavement ends and it transitions to a dirt path for about 200 feet. It’s not stroller-friendly at that point, but if you’re willing to carry your kiddo the rest of the way (or bribe them with snacks to walk), the final view is stunning, especially after a rain with multiple waterfalls surrounding you.
Sharon Woods Metro Park
📍 6911 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43229
This park has multiple stroller-friendly options, including the 1.1-mile Edward S. Thomas Trail—a wide gravel path through a peaceful nature preserve—and the 3.8-mile paved Multipurpose Trail that loops the entire park. Both give you great scenery and enough space to move at your own pace (even if your toddler insists on walking half of it themselves and picking up every rock).
Topiary Park
📍 480 E Town St, Columbus, OH 43215
Looking for something different? This downtown park recreates a famous painting (A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte) using living topiary sculptures. It’s quirky, peaceful, and totally stroller accessible. The flat walkways make it easy to navigate, and the massive topiary sculptures are sure to get your toddler’s attention.
Plus, the nearby Columbus Metropolitan Library has a great children’s section if you want to extend your outing indoors.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re on a mission to get your steps in, show your baby their first butterfly, or just kill an hour before naptime, these stroller-friendly hikes around Columbus and Central Ohio make it possible to enjoy the outdoors with your littlest adventurers in tow. So pack some snacks, load up the diaper bag, and hit the trails.
Just don’t forget the wipes. You will need the wipes.
Find more family friendly fun around Columbus here.