Active Outdoors

The Dayton region is becoming synonymous with outdoor recreation. Our amenities — including cycling, mountain biking, boating, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and ADA-accessible trails — are putting it on the map as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. Discover how easy it is to have an active — and healthy — outdoor lifestyle using your Five Rivers MetroParks!

Top Picks for Active Outdoors

Hike the Wilds of the Twin Valley

6910 Boomershine Rd., Germantown, OH 45327 Directions >

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Hike more than 25 miles in some of the most spectacular woods, ravines and hills in Southwest Ohio. Combine your hike in Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks with an overnight camping experience to make this gem of Montgomery County your weekend destination.

Learn more about the Twin Valley Trail (TVT).

Paddle the Mad River Water Trail

1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton, OH 45431 Directions >

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Paddle from Eastwood MetroPark to RiverScape MetroPark and beyond. This popular 4-mile stretch will take you through the Mad River Run and RiverScape River Run, where you can stop and play in the wave features or cruise on through in the recreational boater passage.

Learn more about regional water trails.

Bike Taylorsville

4700 E. National Rd., Vandalia, OH 45377 Directions >

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Bike through the beautiful woods of Taylorsville MetroPark and enjoy the history of Tadmor Village and the earthen dam. Your ride on the nation’s largest paved trail network can continue north to Miami County or south to points in Warren, Butler and Greene counties.

Learn more about the paved trail network.

Ride Sweet Singletrack

4485 Union Rd., Dayton, OH 45424 Directions >

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Tackle the dirt of MoMBA as you ride through majestic woods. This stacked loop system will allow beginners to work on skills on the flow trail and also lets experienced riders charge on out to the “The Talon” to take on this double black diamond beast.

Learn more about MoMBA.

Fling a Disc

4361 W. National Rd., Vandalia, OH 45377 Directions >

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Eighteen targets await you and your disc golf friends at the Great Blue Heron Course at Englewood MetroPark. You will love the competition on this Dayton Disc Golf Association course.

Learn more about the disc golf course.

Fish the Mad

1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton, OH 45431 Directions >

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From calm eddies to whitewater, the fish habitat on the Mad River is rich and will challenge the most advanced angler; but it also offers a moving water environment suitable for beginners.

Activities

We offer opportunities to explore the outdoors and improve your skills through programs, trips, events and competitions in the following activities:

Events & Programs

These adventure-related events bring the outdoor community together, making Dayton a stronger, more vibrant place to live:

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These popular programs get the whole family involved in an active outdoor lifestyle:

Programs & Events

RiverScape River Run

Check out the exciting RiverScape River Run in the heart of downtown Dayton!

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RiverScape River Run opens the downtown river to a beautiful seven-mile paddle from Eastwood MetroPark on the Mad River, through downtown to the Carillon Historical Park and University of Dayton area. A dangerous low dam in the Great Miami River located near the Dayton Art Institute was removed and two structures that span the river have been built, each with two passageways: one smooth-water passageway for novice paddlers and one whitewater play feature for more experienced paddlers. The project also allows people to fish, sunbathe and enjoy the river downtown in new ways.

Learn more about the River Run

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Resources

  • Dayton, Ohio is The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest! Find the Greater Dayton’s outdoor clubs, retailers, instructors, equipment rental, and more at Outdoordayton.com
  • Join the community of local outdoor enthusiasts on Facebook: Get Out & Live

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