Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Hilliard, Ohio
Cross Country Ski, Hike, and Horseback
Prairie Oaks features nearly 500 acres of lush prairies and grasslands. In late summer and early fall, visitors can see fields of beautifully flowering ashy sunflower, royal catchfly and purple coneflower against a backdrop of big and little bluestem and Indian grasses. The spectacular and lush scenery of the Big Darby State and National Scenic River, which flows through the park, provides a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventure.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Hilliard, Ohio
- Head southwest on Columbia St toward Center St (413 ft)
- Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Franklin St (381 ft)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Main St (0.2 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Cemetery Rd (433 ft)
- Cemetery Rd turns right and becomes Scioto Darby Rd (0.8 mi)
- Continue onto Scioto Darby Creek Rd (4.0 mi)
- Turn left onto Amity Rd (3.8 mi)
To main park entrance (3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road):
From I-270, take I-70 west to Plain City-Georgesville Road/S.R. 142 exit and go about 0.8 miles north. Entrance is on the right.
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