Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Stop at Battelle Darby Metro Park to view the roaming bison on your next Columbus, Ohio group tour. With over 7,000 acres of trails, prairies, forests, and wetlands, you can choose your own group-friendly adventure at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, the largest metro park in Ohio. Arrange to begin at the 14,000 square foot Nature Center; with a 53-foot indoor living stream and interactive exhibits, it is great for children and adults alike and is fully handicap accessible.

Our team is here to help your group arrange to have a naturalist give a talk on the bison, the history of the land, and the ecosystem there. Naturalist talks are fun and interactive and include hands on experiences like feeling a bison pelt, seeing a bison skull up close, holding a bison horn (made of keratin, just like human fingernails!), and more. For those looking to take a hike, the naturalist will lead your group on a gravel trail hike to see the bison in their pasture. An accessible option for this portion of the tour offers a look at the bison on the “tower cam” via a screen located in the Nature Center.

For a preview, check out this clip from WOSU’s program Broad & High.

Video credit: WOSU Public Media

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is great to hiking and cycling groups too. Experienced backpackers can enjoy 10 miles of primitive backpacking trails along Big and Little Darby creeks. There are four overnight backpacking sites that are available by reservation only. Both avid and hobby cyclists appreciate the Camp Chase Trail, part of the longest bike trail in the state, the Ohio to Erie Trail.

Canoeing and fishing options are available and there is a designated hunting area; be sure to check the map on their website for details.

Battelle Darby Creek is a destination for winter activities including a sledding hill, cross-country skiing trail, and ice skating pond (weather permitting). Winter is an excellent time for groups who enjoy birding, and because Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is known as a birding hotspot, your group is sure to see an abundance of species.

Use the link below to contact our group sales team to book your Roaming Bison Group Tour!

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