Butterfly Trail Hike Overview
- Length: .2 miles (.32km)
- Hiking Time: 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy (Beginner-Friendly)
- Elevation Gain: 18 feet
- Route: Loop
- Best Season: Summer. Gives you the highest chance to see butterflies and other pollinators
- Pets Allowed: Yes (leashed)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes. Short, grassy trail makes it easy for kids of all ages
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Trailhead Location: Located near the Blendon Woods Ice Skate Rink. 4265 E. Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43230.
Butterfly Trail Guide
Butterfly Trail (Blendon Woods Metro Parks)
The Butterfly trail is a .2 mile loop within the Blendon Woods Metro Parks. It is an easy hike on a grass trail with beautiful wildflowers, shaded areas, and beautiful flora.
You’ll start by walking from the Butterfly Trail parking lot, which is near the ice skating rink and just around the corner from disc golf. During this first section of the hike, you’ll start to walk slightly up and notice beautiful native flowers to your left and sometimes right that are in full bloom during mid to late summer. This is also a perfect spot to find butterflies, birds, and even the occasional hummingbird.
Once you make it to the “top” of the trail, you’ll notice the landscape clears and you have an opportunity to see more birds and other small animals like squirrels, chipmunks, etc.
You’ll continue on this trail and take a slight right. Quickly, you’ll notice the trail descends back down, where you’ll come across more trees, perennials, and other unique plants. Within a few minutes, you’ll reach your ca,r making this an enjoyable hike no matter the weather or time of year.
Expert Tip
This is a quick and easy trail in the Blended Woods Metro Parks system that can be experienced all year for families and solo hikers alike.
To have the best experience, hike this trail during the summer, most of the flowers will have bloomed, and there is a little bit of shade. This is the best time because you have the greatest chance of seeing butterflies (I once saw 20 on one trip).
And if you want to learn a little bit more about butterflies and this trail, check out the butterfly house next to the Blendon Woods Nature Center, just a few minutes down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
This hike is easy and perfect for beginner hikers, families, and those who want to try their first hike. Expect a flat trail with elevation under 18 feet in a quick .2 mile loop.
You can hike on this trail any time of the year. However, summer is the best time due to flowers blooming, giving you a much better chance of seeing pollinators.
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs on the trail at any time of the year.
Expect small animals like squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits to frequent this trail. You also have a high chance of seeing butterflies, birds, dragonflies, and hummingbirds.
Yes, this is an easy hike for kids of all ages. They will love the flowers, birds, and how easy it is.
Yes, you can, but it is not particularly long.
No, there are no trail markers, but it is a single loop that you cannot get lost on.
Carrying a phone, water, hiking boots or shoes, and a light snack is always recommended. Typically, though, nothing needs to be carried since it is so short.
No, you can hike this trail every day that the park is open.
No, this trail is not recommended for individuals with mobility challenges or physical disabilities.
This trail is rarely crowded due to how short it is. You can enjoy the trail any time of year with very few people.
Butterfly Trail Map
How to Get There (Driving Directions)
The easiest way to get to Butterfly Trail is to input Butterfly Trail into your phone and GPS, since the trail starts here.
Driving Directions:
- When driving, Blendon Woods Metro Parks through the Blendon Woods Parkway. Then, depending on whether you are traveling north or south, you will either take a quick left or right. Within 1 minute, you’ll find the small parking lot with one picnic table on your left.
Learn More About Blendon Woods Metro Parks
While the Butterfly Trail is a lovely trail for families with young children or who don’t have much time, there are many other areas of the park to explore. Some of my favorite parts of the parks include the following:
