There's no better place than the Metroparks to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the brilliant fall colors.
Get out and explore the opportunities available to hike, bike or paddle during Autumn Adventure, September 2 through November 3.
Just pick up your walking record to get started. Metroparks has identified some colorful trails. Walk eight of those trails and document them in your trail record to complete the program. You can walk on your own or join one of the guided walks.
The first 100 peole to walk eight trails and turn in their walking record will receive a free Autumn Adventure t-shirt featuring this year's original artwork. (Shirts can be purchased for $12 each.)
The walking record lists the trails as well as upcoming programs where you can walk with a Metroparks naturalist to earn Autumn Adventure credit. Pick up your record at the Visitors Center at Wildwood, or in the paper boxes at any of the Metroparks.
THIS YEAR'S TRAILS
Walk eight trails total. Choose from the nine trails below, or substitute up to four with any Metroparks trails that you choose. If you prefer, you can bike on those trails where bicycles are allowed. Click here for a list of all trails by park.
- Side Cut – Fallen Timbers Trail (red), 4.1 miles
- Farnsworth – Towpath, Roche de Bout Shelter to trailhead (brown), 2.2 miles
- Oak Openings – Springbrook Trail (teal), 1 mile
- Wildwood – University/Parks Trail (bike path), 6.6 miles
- Wildwood – Prairie Trail to Upland Woods (red to purple), 1.2 miles
- Pearson – Wood Thrush Trail (blue), 1.3 miles
- Swan Creek – Big Woods Trail (yellow), 0.8 miles
- Secor – Swamp Forest Trail (red), 1.2 miles
- Providence – Towpath Trail, Kimble’s Landing to Dam, round trip (brown), 1.6 miles
AUTUMN ADVENTURE WALKS
2012 Autumn Adventure Kick-Off
Sunday, September 2, 2 to 3 p.m.
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Visitor Center
Free | Registration
Jump start your fall with a Prairie Trail walk highlighting colorful flowers and tall grasses. This naturalist-led hike sets the tone for a special, season-long program that promises to get you connected to your beautiful Metroparks.
Autumn Adventure: Who's at the Window; Who's at the Stream?
Friday, September 7, 8 to 9:30 a.m. | Swan Creek Preserve, Yager Center
Free | Registration
A brief observation in the newly renovated Window on Wildlife will set the stage for a short stroll to search for birds and mammals in this preserve's beautiful floodplain. Bring binoculars if you have them! Complimentary shade-grown coffee provided.
Canal Days River Walk
Saturday, September 8, 10 to 11:30 p.m. | Kimble’s Landing, Prvidence
Free | Registration
Take a walk back in time as to explore the changing season and history along the Miami and Erie Canal. Meet at Kimble’s Landing for a 2-mile hike on the Orange Trail for a chance to view a few resident eagles and ospreys. While enjoying the fantastic fall color of leaves and flowers, learn about the rich history of how the canal helped make this area what it is today.
Audubon Island Canoe Paddle
Saturday, September 15, 4 to 6 p.m. | Side Cut, Riverview parking lot
Fee: $10 (Metroparks Members $8) | Registration
Make the most of this rare opportunity to view an island nature preserve during this 3-mile paddle. The river will provide some great wildlife viewing so bring your binoculars. Participants must be 12 and older. All minors must be in the same canoe as their legal guardian. Program cancelled if water is high. Two people per canoe.
Fall Color Walk
Sunday, September 29, 2 to 2 p.m. | Buehner Center Porch, Oak Openings Preserve
Free | Registration
Marvel at the diversity of fall foliage color on this afternoon walk. Delve into the reasons leaves change color and maybe see some animals as well.
Maumee River Canoe Paddle
Saturday, October 6, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Farnsworth, Boat Launch parking | Fee: $10 (Metroparks Members $8
For registration, call 419-407-9710
Explore the Maumee River during a brisk 3-mile canoe paddle. See one of northwest Ohio’s natural gems and get some exercise on this naturalist led excursion. Participants must be ages 12 and up. Anyone under 18 must be in the same canoe as their guardian. Program cancelled if water is high. Two people per canoe.
Autumn Adventure: Anderson's Property Twilight Ramble
Friday, October 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Andersons property, site of a future Metropark
Call for directions: 419-407-9710
Free | Registration
Meet at the Activities Center Parking lot for an evening walk at this special Metroparks site.
Autumn Adventure: The New Blue at Secor Metropark
Thursday, October 25, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Secor, Walnut Grove Picnic area
Free. Registration
To enjoy a sunset hike to the newly acquired land on the eastern edge of Secor Metropark, to be known as the Blue Trail.
Ghost of Providence: Lantern Walk
Saturday, October 27, 7 to 8 p.m. | Providence, Historic Area parking lot
Fee: $5 (Metroparks Members $4)
Call for reservations: 419-407-9710
When the sun goes down the Ghost Town of Providence awakens. Meet characters from long ago still searching for answers to their mysterious deaths. Listen closely and see if you can unravel the story of their last days. This is an Autumn Adventure walk. [Registration]
Autumn Adventure: The Old at the New
Saturday, November 3, 10 a.m. to Noon | Blue Creek Conservation area
Free. Registration
Take a walk to the quarried pond to view ancient bedrock, fossils, and glacial grooves.
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Join The Autumn Adventure (Video) 
Metroparks TV commercial for Autumn Adventure. |
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2012 Autumn Adventure Trail Record
Use the trail record to keep track of trails walked (PDF). |
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2012 Autumn Adventure Graphic
This year's Autumn Adventure graphic depicts prairie flowers like those found in the Oak Openings region here in northwest Ohio. The original ... (more) |
