One of the most popular parks in Hamilton County, Sharon Woods has everything from epic playgrounds to a historical village. The 730-acre park features a golf course, lake and streams, trails, an indoor playground, and the Heritage Village Museum of historic 19th-century buildings.
This nature preserve has a 90-foot cliff in its Sharon Gorge that is an excellent exposure to Ordovician fossils. The gorge is accessible by the 0.7-mile Gorge Trail. Read on to learn more.
Golf Course
The oldest of the golf courses operated by Great Parks of Hamilton County, Sharon Woods was opened in 1938 and offers something for everyone with beginner 6-hole leagues, outings, instructional programs, and family events. The course is known for its tough test of skill and features holes where birdies can be made, as well as those that require everything you have to make par.
The park is also a popular destination for exercise with a 2.6-mile paved multi-use trail around the lake, a 1.0-mile fitness trail, and the 0.7-mile Gorge nature trail. A large playground, picnic areas, and athletic fields are found throughout the 730-acre park.
Heritage Village, a recreation of 1800s buildings, is open for outside self-guided tours during open hours.
Playgrounds
With a large playground, splash pad, and plenty of picnic areas Sharon Woods is a popular spot to visit. It’s also home to a golf course, the Heritage Village museum, and a two-story indoor play area for kids.
The main playground at the park has a ton of features for kids from toddler age to big kids. There’s also a splash pad with a few circles of different-sized fountains that shoot water off the ground.
The park also has a smaller toddler playground structure, 2 bucket swings, and a rock wall tunnel. There is no shade in this playground area, so if you’re planning to visit bring a sun hat and sunscreen for the little ones. A Great Parks pass is required to enter the park. A great place to also visit is Clear Creek Park.
Picnic Areas
Sharon Woods Metro Park is one of the most popular parks in Hamilton County with something to offer for everyone. The park is home to the Adventure Station, a two-story indoor play area for children ages 2-12, as well as golf courses, tennis courts, and picnic areas. There are also several trails and a nature center located in the park.
The park has a reservable shelter as well as several non-reservable ones that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Apple Ridge Picnic Area has 1 open shelter that seats 64 people and includes grills, a large playfield, a playground, horseshoe pits, and restrooms.
The park’s gorge trail has 3 waterfalls along the way. It is also pet friendly, but dogs and cats must be on leash at all times in the park.
Boathouse
The boathouse located along the shores of Sharon Lake offers visitors the opportunity to rent row, pedal, or pontoon boats for recreational use. Visitors may also try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding on the 35-acre lake.
The park’s paved trail system includes a 2.6-mile loop around Sharon Lake, a one-mile Parcours fitness trail, and a 0.7-mile Gorge nature trail. Throughout the park, multiple picnic areas have plenty of space for groups to gather and enjoy a meal together.
Heritage Village, a recreated 1800s community is another attraction within the park that visitors of all ages can experience. The village features authentic period buildings, a full-service snack bar the Sharon Centre which houses educational nature displays, and the Nature’s Niche gift store.
Sharon Centre
As one of the most popular parks in the district, Sharon Woods has a variety of recreational facilities to appeal to all interests. A golf course that has received four-star ratings by both the Cincinnati Enquirer and Golf Digest, a lake and multiple trails, playgrounds, and a mock village of historic buildings comprise just part of the park’s many features.
The park’s visitors center houses exhibits and a gift shop, while the Adventure Station is an accessible two-story indoor play area for children ages 2-12. A 2.6-mile paved multi-purpose trail around Sharon Lake, a 1.0-mile Parcours fitness trail, and the 0.7-mile Gorge nature trail round out the park’s many offerings.
The Heritage Village is a recreated 1800s community that features original and replica period homes, buildings, stations, and barns. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Browse the next article.
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