Published June 4, 2020
Take the new MetroParks Trails Challenge
Heads up! This article was published 4 years ago.
Your Five Rivers MetroParks locations are home to 160 miles of paved and natural surface trails for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horseback riding. The greater Dayton region is home to more than 340 miles of paved trails – the nation’s largest paved trail network – and 270 miles of river corridor.
The new MetroParks Trails Challenge is a fun way to explore them. MetroParks’ outdoor recreation team has selected 25 trails that range in mileage and difficulty that you can hike, walk, bike, jog, run or paddle.
You can participate by completing just one trail. And because you explore the trails on your own time and in your own way, it’s easy to practice safe social distancing while participating in the challenge. Indeed, the new MetroParks Trails Challenge is a convenient way to improve your physical and mental health while connecting with nature and enjoying an active lifestyle.
Know before you go: Fourteen of the trails in the challenge are segments of larger trails, meaning you may have to hike or bike back to your starting point or shuttle back. Mileage listed in the downloadable brochure is one-way. The other trails included are loops, which means you will start and end at the same point.
In addition to logistics, trailgoers should plan ahead for limitations to amenities such as restrooms, water fountains and more. For a complete list of MetroParks’ cancellations and closures, visit metroparks.org/COVID-19. Additionally, participants can check the status of the trails they wish to visit by accessing MetroParks’ alerts page, the Great Miami Riverway trail conditions map, the Miami Conservancy District’s Trail Conditions page and Miami Valley Trails’ alerts page.
How to participate: Participating in the MetroParks Trails Challenge is easy and can be done on your own time.
- Download the MetroParks Trails Challenge brochure.
- Hike, bike or paddle the designated trails – in any order and at your own convenience.
- Track your progress on the trails log.
- Everyone in your family can participate – including kids. Provide them with their own brochure so they get excited to track their progress.
- Email your trails log no later than Oct. 4 to be eligible to receive a prize.
- To receive emails about pop up challenges and the chance to win additional prizes, sign up for Five Rivers MetroParks’ monthly outdoor recreation email. Registration is free and, while not required, it will give you more chances to win a prize!
Your chance to win: Whether you check off just one trail or every trail plus pop up challenges, you’ll have a chance to snag cool stuff!
- Complete just one trail in the challenge and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local outdoor gear or bike shop of your choosing. You’ll receive one entry for each trail you complete. Complete all 25 trails and get 25 chances to win!
- Everyone who completes at least 18 trails will receive a MetroParks Trails Challenge sticker. Also, 100 people completing at least 18 trails will be selected at random to receive a MetroParks Trails Challenge T-shirt.
- Winners will be notified by e-mail or phone and prizes will be distributed after Oct. 4.
If you have the required gear to bike and paddle the trails, be sure to also use necessary safety equipment, including a helmet and lifejacket, during your adventure. View a list of trail equipment rental locations on OutdoorDayton.com.
Accessible to all experience levels: Whether you have never been on a trail or have hiked every MetroPark, there’s something for everyone to experience. The trails included in the MetroParks Trails Challenge were selected to give people the opportunity to build their trails experience over time.
Learn more about MetroParks Trail Challenge.
