FIRST HIKE OF 2023! This park has been on my list for awhile. I hiked with Cincy trails at Sugar Creek Metropark last fall--which is across the street. I did not make the connection that Bill Yeck park was basically in the same neighborhood, but when I found out, I added it to my list!
Going to be honest, I think this park would have been beautiful if it weren't a dreary winter day. Everything was brown--dead trees, gray skies, muddy trails: definitely an OHIO winter hike. I could 100% imagine what it would have looked like on a nice day when the sun was shining... and I know that it would be beautiful! What was now an empty, muddy field looked like a soon-to-be wildflower field --I can only imagine it would be so pretty with all those flowers. I would go back!
I parked at the Smith Entrance, as I discovered there was a large parking lot and nice restrooms. It was a big lot that would fit several cars. I hiked the orange trail to the brown trail that crossed over a road that ran through a subdivision. I had not originally planned to add that onto my hike, but I'm so glad I did! Off of the brown trail, there was an extension just added--that would have added an additional mile. I did not take it this time since I was not sure how long of a hike I would end up hiking, but I would like to add this onto my hike next time.
The brown trail does a loop, so I reconnected back to the orange trail and then took the orange trail to the yellow trail. After adding some mileage with the yellow trail, I joined back to the orange trail that put me back at the parking lot. I did a total of 5.5 miles with some elevation changes. In the future, there would be a couple ways to add on some mileage and with that extension, I could easily get 6.5 to 7 miles on another day of hiking without having to repeat any trails on one hike.
For a cold winter day, I loved exploring this park! There's something about getting outside and the fresh air hitting your face. I bundled up and enjoyed being outside. I would totally recommend the trail system here. It is in the Centerville area past Lebanon and Waynesville. It was about a 40 minute drive from Loveland, so a bit of a drive. If it were a nice day with lots of sunshine, I could see myself making the trek out there again. Favorite part: all the creek crossings! If you happen to live in that area, you should definitely check out this park! read more