O’Neil Woods Metro Park: Hills River Views, a Red Barn & Peaceful Seclusion

O’Neil Woods Metro Parks is a 295-acre park located in Akron. It is part of the Summit County Metro Parks and includes a challenging loop hiking trail with hills and several places where you can see and access the river. The trail also leads past a picturesque barn that you’ll want to stop and get photos of. 

Things to do at O’Neil Woods Metro Park

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy hiking the trail inside the park. There’s a nice blend of stairs, trails, rivers, hills, and seclusion to make this trail a special place.

Tip: If you need driving directions, do not simply type in O’Neil Woods Metro Park. Instead make sure to type in the full address (2550 Martin Road Akron, OH 44333). Otherwise, you may find yourself lost and searching for the main parking lot. Ask me how I know this. 

The loop trail goes down and then up a steep and large ravine. Some stairs take you down (or up depending on which direction you go) and then hills take you back up to the parking lot.

Tip: Because of the uneven terrain and stairs, if you have young children you won’t be able to use a stroller. 

At the bottom of the ravine, you’ll get to walk along the river’s edge. There are several places you can sit and enjoy the peacefulness of the running water. Feeling adventurous, bring along water shoes and wade in the river as there are sections where you can get down to the river’s edge, and people often creek stomp and look for crayfish. 

Tip: If you are simply interested in going down to the river and want to avoid the stairs and hills on the hiking trail, you can park along West Bath Road (near the barn) and only walk the small section of the trail by the river. Note: There are only a handful of parking spaces in this area.

Hiking Trail at O’Neil Woods Metro Park

Deer Run Trail – 2550 Martin Road Akron, OH 44333
Loop trail with a lot of hills uneven terrain and beautiful scenery. Lots of stairs and a large hill. Several places where you can see and access Yellow Creek, one of the cleanest tributaries to the Cuyahoga River.
Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty (per trail owner): Difficult

Tips for Your Visit to O’Neil Woods Metro Park

• If you need driving directions, do not simply type in O’Neil Woods Metro Park. Instead make sure to type in the full address (2550 Martin Road Akron, OH 44333). Otherwise, you may find yourself lost and searching for the main parking lot.
• The tails have uneven terrain and a lot of stairs. If you have young children you won’t be able to use a stroller. 
• As always, if you plan to wade in the water use caution when doing so.
• If you are simply interested in going down to the river and want to avoid the stairs and hills on the hiking trail, you can park along West Bath Road (near the barn) and only walk the small section of the trail by the river. Note: There are only a handful of parking spaces in this area.
• There are several picnic tables located near the parking area with grills and restrooms.

O’Neil Woods Metro Park
2550 Martin Road Akron, OH 44333
Website

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