The Best Parks in Cincinnati

Trolley Park

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"Very nicely landscaped park and playground just outside one of the entrances to DeVou Park in the Park Hills area. The small park has playground equipment, some park benches, picnic tables and is just a lovely setting! From archived newspaper articles, I find that this park must be the focal point for various events held in Park Hills, such as a Memorial Day parade and a fall Home & Garden tour."

Sharon Woods Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (78)

"Here listening to Jazz music. There are lots of trails to explore. They also do drivethru Christmas light village and exhibit. There is also a golf course nearby in a different entrance but part of the park."

McCullough Nature Preserve

★★★★★ 4.6 (10)

"McCullough Nature Preserve where did you come from?! Smack dab in the middle of industrial Norwood is one of the most secluded and beautiful parks/trails in all of the city. From the road this place looks like the secret garden, you have to pull back the brush and behind it is something magical. We drove past the historic house and parking in their lot. We had lunch with us, so we took advantage of the picnic tables overlooking the garden. For a minute we may, or may not have, pretended we were in the Great Gatsby.They also have some great hiking trails. We just browsed, but I can't wait to go back. This place is totally underrated and I don't know of anyone else who has ever even mentioned this place to me before. Even for a minute on your lunch break, go check this place out. Five minutes in the fresh air among these massive trees, greenery and garden will definitely freshen your day!"

Mill Creek Greenway Sailway Trailhead

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"Nice trail walking/running/biking/skating trail in the Northside neighborhood confident to Spring Grove, Hamilton Ave and Ludlow. It's actually slightly hidden/blended in with a greenway that provides some space between the street, so you don't feel like your just on a sidewalk. It's kind of the border of Northside to the Mill Creek. I would suggest visiting if your in the area especially at the nearby baseball diamonds. It's about two miles around. You can circle back on the trial using the sidewalk on the opposite side of the baseball diamond. Several bench rest stops along the trail."

Stonelick Lake State Park

★★★★☆ 4.2 (19)

"What a nice lake! Nothing but electric motors are allowed here so its perfect for kayaking, and the size is large enough to offer plenty of spaces to check out. There are nice boat ramps and parking spaces along the water. Not too sure about the beach and camping area as it was off season, so maybe they didn't seem as nice as they would during the peak times. There are a few hiking trails which are nice, but the downside is there isnt parking right by them, so as best I could figure, you have to park in one of the lots, then walk down alongside the main road to get to the trail heads, which is no bueno, especially when you have dogs and it is the busy season."

Pleasant Square Park

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"Nice, fairly large park in the middle of town. A small shelter, some basketball courts, and two playgrounds. We were there for those, of course, and Baby K loved it so much we went twice during a short visit to town. The larger playground has areas for smaller and larger kids, and lots of slide. There are swings nearby. A few benches, some shade trees, no restrooms."

Hopewell Meadows Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Hopewell Meadows Park is a 14-acre park in Symmes Township, although it is very close to the Montgomery and Indian Hill areas. Hopewell Meadows was dedicated in 2001, although plans for the park had been in the works for several years prior. The product, however, was well worth the wait as it is a very nice park. Hopewell Meadows Park features two picnic shelters available on a first-come first-served basis. The main shelter can accommodate about 68 people and is on some prime "real estate," located between the restrooms and the large playground area. The smaller shelter, located on the park's East side near part of the walking trail and many trees, maxes out at around 28 people. I've played on Hopewell's tennis courts a couple of times and in addition to being somewhat new courts, the back fences between the two courts are angled to keep your tennis balls from rolling onto the other court. The basketball court also is nice (minus those darn double rims) and not one of those blacktop courts like at some of the other parks. Additionally, there is a large walking path that is somewhat scenic, the park has a small baseball field, and even the bathrooms are nice for park standards (the lights turn on when you open the door, pretty cool...I'm easily pleased).On the whole, the Hopewell Meadows Park is a somewhat small, yet great park and it's an excellent place to play some basketball or tennis, or to take your little kids to play on the playground. And unlike some parks, you can bring your bike/skateboard/roller blades/scooter through, as long you do so in a "safe manner.""

Meadows Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (1)

"Narrow but long, the main entrance to Meadows Park is located at the end of Lindemann Lane and there is a large parking lot. Follow the bridge over the creek and you'll see the basketball court and a swing set.The remainder of the park is open and grass, perfect for a picnic of a small ball game. The grass is well mowed and the park is clean.[Review 18021 overall - 167 in Ohio - 1542 of 2022.]"

Blue Ash Summit Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (73)

"A clean, spacious park for people, dogs and most of all, children! Lots of open green space for live entertainment, playground area for the kids, walking paths for all to enjoy. There are also restaurants and AN ice cream shop. I think they need at least two ice cream shops. It's crowded over there! They hold food truck festivals and the like during warmer weather. I believe the Blue Ash fireworks are held here during the Independence Day holiday as well."

Cottell Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (19)

"If you are basic like me and you want to get an Instagram photo in a field of sunflowers, this is your best bet in the Cincinnati area. Totally free, the flowers bloom July-August. I was here August 4th at 8am to get the photo below. There were other people in the field taking photos of their kids, but you can go to the back to avoid the crowds. If you're a professional photographer, I recommend getting here before 8am to avoid the crowds."

Swaim Park

★★★★★ 5 (12)

"I have passed by this park before and decided to stop there this week-end. Whoever designed this park is a genius because it's truly not that big, but it has something for absolutely everybody. It is clear that it is always well-maintained and for anybody wanting to take their dog along there are stations reminding people to clean up after their pets and bags in case you forgot. Plus, my adorable dog, Sammers, appreciated the drinking fountains just for them! In the beginning, we started walking around a path that circles a nice pond in front of a spacious and pretty gazebo. Then we followed a walkway that led us over a bridge and back around. On that stroll, we went past baseball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball, a playground, 2 large shelters, a huge fire pit and a nice little creek. If you prefer to take in these peaceful surroundings while sitting, there are benches all around. As we were leaving, we noticed a lodge building and a 2-story house. I was curious so I did a little research. Turns out this is a historic farmhouse where you can schedule tours and events during the year. Also, there is a garden club that maintains an heirloom garden in it's backyard. All this in the winter; I can't wait to see what it looks like when everything is in bloom."

Heritage Oak Park

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"This park is sizeable and houses a bunch of soccer fields as well as a baseball diamond. There's nothing fancy about it, but the sheer size of it makes it perfect for a lunch stroll, practicing some irons, or a picnic. The grounds seem to be maintained well."

Loveland Bike Trail

★★★★★ 4.8 (55)

"A lovely bike trail that's safe and easy for all biking levels. The trail is flat and shaded a majority of the way, even though we started at noon in the summer, we still had a fantastic ride. The entire trail is 70 miles long with connections to 100 miles. I recommend starting at Loveland, a cute little town with plenty of restaurants, bike rentals, a park and parking. You can either go north towards South Lebannon or south to Milford and other small towns a long the way. Most people said it's prettier towards the North but my husband said they are pretty similar (I only made it to Milford). We rode along the river for a big part of it, went through some small towns and met a lot of friendly cyclists a long the way.If you don't have a bike, Loveland Bike Rental is conveniently right by the trail. Once you are done biking, grab a cold one at one of the restaurants right on the trail and count yourself lucky for having access to such a perfect ride."

Ault Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (110)

"This was a park we visited and truly enjoyed. It is a lovely space with sweeping views of the city. We spent time at the pavilion where we went to the top of it, along with taking photos of everything below."

Moundview Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Cute hidden gem between Newtown and Anderson. It doesn't seem much like a park from the road but for families with kiddos who are looking for a super tall jungle gym, this is the space for you! At the bottom of the hill is a big baseball diamond and it looks like that's about it. BUT! If you drive up the lane you'll find Newtown's own Veterans Memorial, a huge covered picnic area (and I mean huge), a nice size kids play space, benches to sit and restrooms! We've come a few times and every single time there's either nobody at all or just a few folks. If you're looking for a quiet space to picnic or sit in the woods, this is a gem! It's especially nice for kiddos 3yo+ because they don't have to play survival of the fittest with a bunch of other kids on the playground."

Daniel Drake Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"This is a great local place to bring your family. Outstanding view of the city and very clean."

North Park

★★★★★ 5 (8)

"We come here during the concert season a lot. Free concerts can't be beat and the park has a nice amphitheater that seats plenty with spacing. They generally have food trucks and concession stand for those that seek a drink or snack. I have never used the potties but they are available. They also have a nice courts and walking trail. I will say bring a chair, blanket sunscreen and/or cover for sun protection. We usually do about 3-4 concerts here that vary between a Journey, Fleetwood Mac, Queen cover bands and a kids show that tends to be Disney! Yeah! Being a Disney fan I love that they offer this. Parking is abundant and getting out can be a tad bit longer for bigger shows but in general just be patient. You just attended a free show."

Mitchell Memorial Forest

★★★★★ 4.6 (10)

"Mitchell Memorial Forest is well maintained, without being over maintained. Trees that have fallen across any trail, (but are too big to move,) have been cut out of the way. Trash cans have been placed around the grounds. A nice fishing pond is situated near the front of the park. There is a play structure for children. The structure looks to be relatively new. There is a fresh layer of rubber chips to help cousin any falls. A set of bathrooms are not far from the play structure. They was still a "closed for the season," sign up so I can't rate the bathrooms. Wood Duck Trail is a nice escape. We were the only people not walking their dog, on the trail. Many tall trees. I can't wait until later this spring/ summer to see all the trees with their leaves. A couple of benches are along the path. We walked by a nice duck pond and stream. After 2 hours, we still had more park to explore. Both kids were worn out after walking around the lake, playing on the play structure, and exploring Wood Duck Trail, so we decided to call it a day. My son asked if we could come back another day. He wants to see the rest of the park. So do I."

Sycamore Park

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Such a deceiving park! For a year I lived a mile away thinking this was just a playground and picnic shelter park. This past week I realized it had miles of hiking trails and a nature preserve! This space is truly beautiful. From the time you pull in there is plenty of parking and it is very clean. There are 2 playgrounds, a basketball court, a tennis court, several picnic shelters, and a paved trail that encircles the main park. All of this is right along the scenic river. To the right side of the park there is a bridge that crosses over the creek and leads you down the unpaved hiking trails. The trails are well marked, along with a main map at the start. There are neat features along the way such as bridges, waterfalls, and seating. The main trail is fairly flat, with some rocks. If you venture up to the orange trail I highly recommend actual hiking boots. I went on a day where it was somewhat damp and leaf covered, and my trail running shoes kept slipping. There are definitely some steep areas as well, so not for small children. At the top of the trail are some great views! At spots you can go right up to the river. On a nice weekend it wasn't too crowded. I just cannot say enough great things, this is my new go to spot!"

Shawnee Lookout

★★★★★ 4.6 (27)

"This was a fun park. Glad we came here to stretch our legs, after skiing at nearby Perfect North. While we did not do the 1.9 mile walk to see the overlook, we managed to see the Indian Burial mounds, and a couple of old 1800th century buildings. There was also a playground for kids, our little one enjoyed."

Little Miami Golf Center

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (16)

"9 hole golf course that has a lot of rough. Has been like this for years. I always lose a lot of golf balls there. Also has 9 hole par 3 course old putt putt course. People park here to use the bicycle trail. Mat and grass driving rsnges."

Rentschler Forest Preserve Ranger Sta

★★★★★ 4.6 (8)

"A very limited review on a very limited experience. We came to the park specifically for a program on soil and water conservation. The website said that the program was free. We did not even think to check and see if a parking permit is needed. Upon entering, a sign saying that a parking permit is needed was displayed. We drove around for a bit, looking for a place to purchase a parking pass. We never found an open place to purchase a pass. What we saw of the grounds was beautiful. The foliage was full and lush. There is a nice playground near one of the areas to launch small boats from. Fishing is permitted. Over the age of 16 a permit is required."

Madison Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (3)

"Madison park isn't very big at all. It's a little greenspace among the houses and businesses of Hyde park. But fortunately it's populated with old oaks and maples, perfect for throwing a blanket down for a nap on a warm afternoon."

Will & Harriet Miller Ecological Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Love this park. Went to check in and found it's not even posted in Yelp so here I am. Smallish parking lot, wooden play-sets and things for kids to do. Well maintained, clean, small pond with seats around in the back. Covered shelter with picnic tables. The paths are gravel so plan accordingly if it's been raining."

Fort Thomas Tower Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (26)

"A solid community park. It is spread out across form various veteran's services. Unlike many other parks in the area, this park has a multitude of tennis courts. Even on weekday evenings these courts can be hugely popular. There are a mix of paved and nature trails. Nature trails are relatively well maintained. Paved trails are the sidewalks around and through the park. There are several geocaches in the area. Covered shelters are available. There is a sign up about them having to be reserved Spring - Summer. Summer is a great time to catch free shows/concerts at the amphitheater. The Northern Kentucky Orchestra is know to preform as part of a free summer series. Make sure to bring your own chairs/blankets. A couple of playgrounds are on the grounds. One is located off /near the tennis area. Another playground is closer to the tower. Both are in good working order. There are bathrooms located next to the playground across from the tower."

Miami Meadows Park

★★★★☆ 4 (13)

"Miami Township has the most beautiful, well kept parks I've ever seen! This parks hosts LOTS of activities! Soccer, baseball, playgrounds, concerts, a skate park. How unique!! We use the dog park here occasionally. Glad to see they finally added some things to the dog park. At one point, it was just a fenced in area...no obstacles, toys, etc. Would like to see one or two more things for the dogs. Park can be very packed @ this park if there is a big event. If you are a geocacher, this park is great for that!"

Piatt Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (18)

"Fun fact: Piatt was Cincinnati's FIRST park! And it makes sense as it is down in the basin. This park is probably home to the most proposals as the arches and leaves changing throughout the season are picturesque. I can count at least five friends who have had their wedding photos taken here. My favorite is between fall and winter. Fall is full with yellow leaves on top of the arch and on the bottom below filling any frame full in composition. In the winter the ground is dusted and the tree branches almost turn below against the azure of the sky. It is really a sight to see. I will say, a lot of homeless people hang out here and it is very sad. I smile and say hello from one human to another. Don't be alarmed as they are harmless and simply enjoying the park benches here. More fun facts below: Monument: Piatt was Cincinnati's first park (see Parks History), and this bronze sculpture honors an early Cincinnati hero: William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), ninth U.S. president and Ohio's first. Harrison achieved fame in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 and as a War of 1812 military commander. Following his marriage to the daughter of John Cleves Symmes, he settled just west of Cincinnati in North Bend. Harrison was elected U.S. president in 1840; a few days after delivering the longest inaugural address in history (an hour and 45 minutes), he died of pneumonia. Created by Art academy instructor Louis T. Rebisso (1837-1899) and his student Clement Barnhorn, this sculpture is Cincinnati's only equestrian statue.Fountains: Flanking Race Street in Piatt Park are two circular reflecting pools with granite slabs that mirror the surrounding urban landscape. Beneath a curtain of water that flows over the granite surfaces are carved symbols for water, air and land. Cincinnati artist Stuart Fink's fountain was dedicated in 1989 in memory of local delicatessen owner Isadore "Izzy" Kadetz, who died in 1983.James Abrams Garfield Monument: At Piatt's east end is this 1885 bronze-cast monument to the 20th U.S. president, one of six born in Ohio, who was assassinated in 1881. It's the creation of"

Gunpowder Creek Nature Park

★★★★★ 5 (8)

"Little play area for kiddos. By the restrooms. Water fountain. About 9 big picnic tables under shelter. Big grill. This would be nice for a private kid's bday party. Walking trails. Amphitheater. Streams at the bottom."

Triple Creek

★★★★☆ 3.8 (5)

"This review is only for the lake and hiking trail. The lake has many mature trees around it. The shade provided makes for a lovely picnic spot. Even on a hot day the lake was enjoyable. Several people were also fishing. We did not observe anyone catching anything. The trail is a short, unpaved hike. It is a Parcours trail. Parcours could use some tlc. If you are interested in using the equipment, and it is to be a hot day, I suggest hiking in the morning. We were there mid day, and the metal on several of the stations was too hot for use. Some courses may be done by children and adults. Unfortunately, this one is not. Some of the equipment was too high for children. There is also an area with a flight of steps. Anyone who has mobility issues would have difficulty."

Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve

★★★★★ 4.5 (13)

"A nice little park. A short trail with both paved & graveled parts. Not a difficult hike by any means. A good trail for young explorers. We went for the Maple Sugar Days. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. We learned how to make maple syrup in a little over an hour. A nice event for families. Not an all day thing. They have picnic tables and a gift shop. The bathrooms are in the barn. Attached to the water fountain is a spout for refilling water bottles. It had a counter on it that says how many bottles were saved by people filling up at the fountain. It would nice to see the park in the spring. With no leaves on the trees, the surrounding community is easily viewable at several spots. Seeing a church, Home Depot, and apartment/ condo complex from the trail took away from the feeling that I was truly in nature. My children enjoy the outing."

Winton Woods

★★★★☆ 4.1 (54)

"Winton Woods is great! I used to always be annoyed by having to pay for entering/parking at parks, but I don't mind when the park is super well-kept. That's definitely the case at Winton Woods. There is a large paved loop (1.1 miles) that goes around the pond. In addition, there is a harbor where boats and fishing gear can be rented (though I'm not sure if that is running during COVID/seasonality). There is also a horseback riding center. I'd definitely love to take some lessons sometime.There's a total of of 2.6 miles of paved trails here. While I have only been on the main loop, I'll definitely come back soon and check out the others. If you're a runner, this is a great place to get some miles in and enjoy the outdoors. There are doggie bag stations throughout the park so you can clean up after your furry ones. I'll definitely be back soon!"

Woodland Mound

★★★★★ 4.5 (41)

"It had been a while since we had visited Woodland Mound. When I went to check in, I was surprised to see I had yet to review it.Overall, the park and trails are well kept. There are several trails to choose from. All trails are easily accessible from the multi use trail. It serves as a loop around the park. Much of the multi use trail is in direct sun. If you plan on using it, make sure to use sun protection. The other trails are wooded. I am particularly fond of the Hedgeapple and fitness trails. Their shade shady areas make for more enjoyable hiking duning hot summer months. The Nature's Niche gift and book store is located near the playground, and inside the Seasongood Nature Center. (They share a parking lot.) It is a great place to find nature inspired art from such local favorites as Charlie Harper. Fun nature themed gifts for the kids are also available. The nature center offers educational displays, as well as activities. If you participate in the Great Park's Master Hiker or Hiking Staff programs, medallions may be purchased here. I have never utilized the golf course/facilities. Nor have I visited the banquet center. If the rest of the park is any indication, I would expect them to be in good working order as well. I have heard the golf options are top notch, and open to the public."

Lake Barber

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"One of those places that isn't really advertised. I discovered this Newtown gem while looking at a map. The big blue blob caught my attention, and I decided to check it out. What I discovered is a well kept Newtown secret. Parking is just behing an industrial area. Take the path to the right and be transported to another area. A wide paved trail snakes around a beautiful lake, and into wooded areas. This results in 1.5 miles of easy walking. Paved trail may also be used for biking. Benches are sporadically placed along the trail. Fishing is permitted in the lake. All fishing is catch and release only. Our very own Moby Dick resides here. Or rather the "dolphin hybrid" as my daughter is calling it. Much like a dolphin, this 16+ inch fish (no fish story,) enjoyed jumping and flipping out of the water. Essentially putting on a show. We saw it multiple times over the corse of 1 hour. We are fairly certain it is also the fish that repeatedly robbed us of our bait. Seriously, this fish had skills. Our bobber would go under just to have it fly back up. Not all was lost. We caught one smaller fish each. My youngest said that the fish he caught was "supper strong." We would have continued our pursuit of Moby Dick the Dolphin Hybrid if not for the thunder storm that rapidly rolled in. I look forward to visiting this lake again."

California Woods

★★★★☆ 3.9 (21)

"This is a tough review to write. Part of me wants to give California Woods Nature Preserve five stars. The other part of me wants to give the Nature Preserve three stars. I decided to split the difference with four stars, though I am writing my review separately below. Five star review: The California Woods Nature Perserve does a lovely job of preserving nature. Trees were lush. Their canopy provided welcomed shade from the Summer sun. Many different birds could be heard chirping. Their calls echoing through the quiet. A few sparse flowers dotted the trails. A lingering reminder of Spring. Water in the creek was flowing. Aside from my children's incessant talking, the preserve was quiet and peaceful. A few other cars were present, yet we never saw or heard another person. We truly felt alone in nature. We were able to hike The Ridge Trail in it's entirety. Climbing over a couple downed trees on the trail only added an element of adventure, in the eyes of my children. It is a moderate level trail. My youngest was able to hike with assistance at times. This would be an interesting trail to hike every season; to see it's changes. There is a Nature Center, though it did not appear to be open durning our visit. A small butterfly garden is planned around the Nature Center sign. This allowed us to observe a beautiful black and yellow butterfly, as well as both an adult and a juvenile hummingbird. Educational programs may be scheduled with the ranger. A list of prescheduled programs is posted. A covered picnic area is also available. The structure has an old, almost pioneer feel. During our entire visit, only two pieces of trash were seen. Three star review: I understand this is a nature preserve. Preserving nature is key. I also feel that if there is an open and marked trail one should be able to hike it. We had to turn back on the first two trails we attempted to hike. The first one narrowed to about 9". Those 9" were lined with poison ivy. The second trail narrowed to about 12", and was lined with stinging nettles. I wish the trail was either widdened so people may hike, or that nature was allowed to take it's course. When hiking with little ones, these plants come much higher up on them. I would be interested in visiting when the weather is cooler. Maybe we may progress further along the trail in long pants, and long sleeves. The road in is narrow. Since the road was closed just after the Nature Center, that means visitors must enter and exit via the same single lane. A few turnouts are available. Still this seems dangerous. There is a lack of signage. We would have liked to know why the little cabin/shack was near the stream. Several fire pits are round the Ridge Trail, complete with fire wood. There is nothing to indicate if those pits are free for visitor use, or if they are set up for another purpose. There is signage indicating no dogs are allowed."

Armco Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (8)

"This is a great park. There are a ton of things to do here. They have sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, shelters with picnic tables, creek with paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and fishing. There seems to always be something going on here and it's kept up in wonderful condition. Recommend for sure."