Visit these Story Trails in Columbus for reading + nature fun!

Did you know that there are Story Trails and Story Walks all over Columbus? These special trails are located in parks, and feature nature-inspired stories for you to enjoy along your walk.

Storybook Trails combine the love for reading, nature, and outdoor activity, and are a great way to spend time explore our amazing parks with your kids. 

Most are located within parks featuring playgrounds, beaches, and other fun activities, so pack a lunch and plan to stay for awhile!

Know of other Story Trails in Columbus? Let us know in the comments or email us at news@columbusonthecheap.com.

Community Story Trails

Grandview Heights Public Library StoryWalk

GHPL StoryWalk at C. Ray Buck Park

The first GHPL StoryWalk is located at C. Ray Buck Park, just a few blocks east of Wyman Woods Park where the 2nd StoryWalk is located. The stories change once or twice a month, so visit often!

Find the reading stations along the circular walking path, which is approximately 1/4 mile long. The path is stroller and wheelchair accessible with a parking lot, playground, and restrooms.

1280 Goodale Blvd 

GHPL StoryWalk at Wyman Woods Park

This story walk often features other activities besides a story, such as artwork, poetry, nature activities, and even trivia! See website.

1515 Goodale Blvd

StoryWalk at Upper Arlington Fancyburg Park

The StoryWalk is located at the playground along a wheelchair and stroller-friendly loop trail. Stories change seasonally. website

3375 Kioka Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Westerville Library Story Trail at Johnston-McVay Park

Check out the story at Johnson-McVay Park, courtesy of Westerville Public Library. The stories change every other month, and have activities within the story. The storyboards begin at the west side of the park and span the length of the walking trail.

Visitors will walk through tall Shagbark and Walnut trees, around the Hawk playground, swing set and climbing areas as they explore the storyboards. See website

480 S. Hempstead Rd, Westerville, OH 43081

Gahanna Story Trail at Friendship Park

The Gahanna Story Trail began as a collaboration between the Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation and the Gahanna Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in the spring of 2012, and was inspired by the Story Trail at Dawes Arboretum. Many of the featured books over the past years were written and illustrated by students from the Gahanna Area. See website

150 Oklahoma Ave., Gahanna, OH 43230

You’ll also find good creeking spots and lots of other fun in Friendship park, including kayak rentals and more. Read all about Gahanna here.

Upcoming Spring and Summer fun in Gahanna

Story Trail at Hannah Park in Gahanna

Hannah Park Story Trail is located on the path across from the playground that goes around the pond. There’s also a playground, walking trails, and sports fields. Catch & release fishing available (fishing license required). See website

6547 Clark State Rd

Plain City StoryWalk® at Pastime Park

Find the StoryWalk® on the Walking Trail, located next to the playground at the main entrance to the park. See website

370 N Chillicothe St, Plain City, OH 43064

Granville Fairy Trail and Story at Infirmary Park

This option is a double treat and is worth the drive to Granville! Follow the Wildflower Trail to get to the Fairy Trail. Read the book about fairies before you reach the 1/4 mile fairy trail loop. See details and photos from our visits!

4351 Lancaster Road, Granville, Ohio

You can also follow on Facebook for updates about the Fairy Trail.

StoryWalk in the Park at Wildwood Park in Granville

Enjoy reading the book Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer as you walk along Raccoon Trail East located just south of Wildwood Playground.

The installation of the StoryWalk® In The Park, is made possible through a community partnership between Granville Recreation District, Kiwanis, Granville Public Library, and the Friends of the Granville Public Library. See details on Facebook.

785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023

Columbus Metro Parks Story Trails

Story Trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park

The Blendon Woods Story Trail is typically located on the 1/3 mile Lake Trail, but is sometimes moved to the Hickory Trail. Follow along on Facebook to find the most recent location and story.

See trail locations on the website. 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43081

Sharon Woods Metro Park Story Trail

The Sharon Woods Story Trail is located on a scenic stroll along the Lake Trail. Follow on Facebook for announcements about the Story Trail.

See trails on website 6911 Cleveland Avenue, Ohio

Columbus Metro Park shared with us that there are also story trails at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods Golf Course, Clear Creek, Inniswood, and Slate Run Farm!

ODNR Storybook Trails

Ohio Department of Natural Resources has six Storybook Trails located around the state. Each one is a half-mile long and is filled with 15 to 20 panels featuring pages from children’s books.

The program is a partnership between ODNR and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

It’s combines the love of reading and love of nature together – while being active, and is a great way to explore some of our awesome state parks!

Alum Creek State Park Storybook Trail

3400 Lewis Center Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035. Located left of the parking lot when you are pulling in for beach parking. 

Head here to spend the day! The Storybook Trail at Alum Creek is just across the parking lot from the Alum Creek State Park Beach, so you can swim or play in the sand before or after you hit the trail!

There’s also a playground at the beach, and usually a couple of food trucks and an ice cream truck during the summer. 

Storybook Trail at Alum Creek

The story trail is a 1/2 mile loop – gravel and mowed path. It’s not wheelchair accessible, but you can probably get a heavier duty stroller around it pretty well. 

Storybook Trail at Alum Creek

The story changes throughout the year, so go back multiple times! There is a Free Little Library at the beginning of the trail, where you can choose to take a book home or leave one for a fellow visitor. 

You’ll find wildflowers and other pretty scenery around the trail. It feels like you are miles away from the parking lot while you are in the trail! There isn’t much shade, so wear sunscreen if you plan to linger!

Storybook Trail at Alum Creek

Alum Creek Beach

Dillon Lake State Park

5265 Dillon Hills Drive, Nashport, OH 43830 (follow the signs for the beach – it’s just past the Mountain Bike Trail Head area)

The Storybook Trail at Dillon Lake State Park is about an hour from downtown Columbus, and it another great day trip option. You can hike the trails – including the Story Trail – and swim at the beach!

Dillon Lake State Park isn’t far from Zanesville, so we combined it with a visit to Zanesville (stay tuned for details about what to do in Zanesville), but Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is always a good options!

The story trail is a 1/2 mile paved trail through the woods, and is stroller and wheelchair friendly. There are some gentle hills, and a water view during parts of the trail. Much of the path is shaded. It can be found along the Black Locust Trail, near the ball courts and beach area.  

There’s a Free Little Library at the start/end of the trail, so pick a book to read, or leave a book you’re done with! Head down to the beach to play in the water or sit in the sun! 

Other ODNR Storybook Trails 

Great Seal State Park in Chillicothe
John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs
Maumee Bay State Park, near Toledo
Wingfoot Lake State Park, outside of Akron
Adams Lake State Park
Barkcamp State Park
Burr Oak State Park
Cowan Lake State Park
Deer Creek State Park
East Fork State Park
Findley State Park
Lake Milton State Park
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Mosquito Lake State Park
Salt Fork State Park
Shawnee State Park
Sycamore State Park