Scioto Grove Metro Park, located in Grove City, Ohio, is a 620-acre natural area along the Scioto River.
It officially opened to the public on May 6, 2016, as the 19th park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The park was developed through a combination of land donations, state funding, and partnerships, including a significant contribution from outdoor retailer REI Co-op.
Address:
Hours:
April 1-September 30: 6:30am-10pm
October 1-March 31: 6:30am-8pm
Grove City History Scioto Grove Metro Park:
In 2008, Grove City offered to donate a 192‑acre wooded parcel in the Scioto River floodplain to Metro Parks. This land, prone to flooding and unsuitable for development, was deemed ideal for parkland
Metro Parks formally accepted Grove City’s donation on June 10, 2010.
Metro Parks History Scioto Grove Metro Park:
Franklin County voters approved a levy in October 2009 that financed Metro Parks’ purchase of 66 acres adjacent to the Grove City land.
In December 2010, Metro Parks acquired an additional 175 acres to expand the park.
Two more purchases closed the park’s “gap”: one for 166 acres and another 22‑acre parcel—bringing the total to 620 acres. The 166‑acre parcel was bought with metro‑parks bonds due to capital gains timing issues; much of the funding came from the Clean Ohio grant. This was December 2012.
Partnerships:
A partnership with REI, which helped develop the backpacking trail and campsites.
Trails:
Arrowhead
0.7 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Natural
Goes through woods and connects to the REI River Trail
Connector
0.2 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Natural
Connects the Overlook and Multipurpose trails.
Mingo
2.5 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Natural
Loops around the southern section of the park and runs alongside the Scioto River.
Multipurpose
2 miles
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved
Passes through fields and prairies.
Overlook
1.2 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Natural
Traverses woods and fields.
REI River
1.8 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Natural
Runs alongside the Scioto River, with stepping-stones across a creek and an adjacent swinging bridge.
Ridge Top Course
0.3 miles
Easy – Through 3D Archery Course – Natural
(For use by archers only) Runs through the Ridge Top portion of the 3D archery course, with six difficult targets.
Woodland Course
0.3 miles
Easy – Through 3D Archery Course – Natural
(For use by archers only) Runs through the Woodland portion of the 3D archery course, with six targets starting easy and becoming progressively more difficult.
Keystone Forest Lookout Tower:
Climb the 111 steep steps to the top of the Fire Tower. August 15, 2023, Metro Parks unveiled a piece of Ohio history as the Keystone Forest Lookout Tower debuted in its new location. By a lucky twist of fate, the 82-foot-tall structure was relocated to central Ohio exactly 82 years after it was originally built as a US Forest Service Fire Tower. Initially installed in Jackson County, Ohio in 1942, the tower helped guard southern Ohio's forests against wildfires.
Now, the Fire Tower offers a new experience filled with adventure, thrill, and breathtaking views. From the top, climbers are treated to a stunning panorama of the Ciy of Columbus, roughly 7 miles away, and the surrounding Scioto River parkland. Rising 82 feet to the lookout floor, the climb up its steep but secure steps is not for the faint-hearted. However, the exhilarating ascent is rewarded with spectacular sights and an unforgettable experience. The 82-foot height refers to the floor of the cab, or house, perched atop the steel structure.
This fire tower was built by the Aermotor Windmill Company, a leading developer of metal windmills in the American Midwest. Before the 1870s, nearly all windmills and fire towers were made entirely of wood. Starting in the early 1920s, the US Forest Service partnered with Aermotor to design fire towers mainly made of galvanized steel, which resists rust due to its zinc coating. Based in Chicago, Aermotor created three types of fire towers: one with an outside ladder, another with an inside ladder, and the most expensive with an inside metal staircase. The Keystone Fire Tower, now located at Scioto Grove Metro Park, features the staircase, making it safer and easier to climb. Weighing 12,000 pounds, this model sold for $970 in 1945.
Fire towers were highly effective in spotting and managing forest fires. However, over time, their role was replaced by helicopters and later drones, leading to many being decommissioned. The Keystone Fire Tower’s original site became private property, and Justin Taylor, representing the Taylor family, generously donated the tower to Metro Parks.
It actually cost Metro Parks about $140,000 to dismantle it in Jackson Country, transport it in three sections about 75 miles to its new location, galvanize it again and reassemble it onsite, while adding safety fencing and a completely rebuilt lookout structure at the top. But it was certainly worth it!
Reagan Stokes Memorial Garden:
Dedicated in 2019 to honor Reagan Tokes, a student whose life was tragically lost near the park entrance.
Reagan Tokes, a 21-year-old Ohio State University student, was tragically murdered on the night of February 8, 2017, at Scioto Grove Metro Park in Grove City, Ohio. She was abducted by Brian Golsby after leaving her job in downtown Columbus. Golsby robbed and raped Tokes, then forced her to drive to the park. There, he made her strip naked and led her into a field where he shot her twice in the head just before midnight. Her body was discovered the next morning.
Park Amenities:
The park also features a 3D as well as a conventional archery course, a disc golf course, a rope bridge and stone steps across Grant Run, a tributary of the Scioto River, access to the river for kayaking and canoeing, as well as 7 miles of great trails, a fishing pond, a drone flying field, a sledding hill, two picnic areas, and a beautiful reservable lodge. The park also allows overnight backpacking via reservation only.
Backpacking is available along the REI River Trail for those just getting into the sport, as well as those seasoned backpackers who want a quick overnight without having to journey several hours.
For additional information and to make a reservation visit:
Backpacking is available every weekend (Friday and Saturday nights), from the first weekend in April through the last weekend in October.
Conclusion:
As one of the newer metro parks, it has a lot to offer. It is worth a visit!
