Youngstown offers a variety of excellent outdoor parks and trails that appeal to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Here’s a guide to some of the best:
Mill Creek Metro Parks
The largest and most well-known park system in Youngstown, Mill Creek Park spans over 2,900 acres and features diverse lands including formal gardens, historic mills, scenic vistas, and abundant wildlife habitats. It offers 15 miles of foot trails and 20 miles of drives for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Highlights include the Wick Recreation Area, Fellows Riverside Gardens, and the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, among others.
Yellow Creek Park
Located southeast of Youngstown, Yellow Creek Park features rocky bluffs, waterfalls, and hiking trails that connect to natural and industrial-era stonework sites, merging nature and local history.
Springfield Woods Nature Preserve
This preserve offers varied landscapes with hills, valleys, prairies, and even a lake with a fishing pier. It’s a peaceful spot with well-maintained trails.
Austintown Township Park
Known for its meadows, forests, sports fields, and an osprey nesting site, it provides a mix of terrain for hiking and observing wildlife.
MetroParks Bikeway
A network of trails suitable for both biking and walking that connect several parks and green spaces in the area.
Additional parks include Crandall Park, Lily Pond at Mill Creek, and various township parks offering picnic areas, sports facilities, and playgrounds.
Visitors should check seasonal hours for some parks and bring appropriate gear for outdoor activities. These parks and trails provide a wonderful way to explore the natural beauty and recreational opportunities within and around Youngstown.
Sources
(https://www.traillink.com/city/youngstown-oh-trails/)
(https://www.ericasp.com/2024/01/top-ten-hikes-in-mahoning-county-ohio/)
(http://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Visitor-Guide-and-Maps-Rev-5-23-web.pdf)
(https://exploremahoning.com/visit/parks-recreation/)
(https://youngstownohio.gov/parks)
