California Woods Nature Preserve

Located just east of Lunken Airport and not too far from the both the Little Miami and Ohio River is California Woods Nature Preserve. Lick Run Creek runs through this nature preserve and can be accessed from several trails. 

Please note that no pets are allowed in the preserve.

California Woods Nature Preserve is located at 5400 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH  45230

French Park

One of the most frequently recommended spots to take kids creeking is French Park in Amberley Village. Conveniently, the best spot to access the creek in French Park is from Creek Trail. It’s a very easy creek to access set in a very pretty park.

French Park is located at 3012 Section Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237

Gower Park

For a creeking spot that isn’t too woodsy, head to Gower Park in Sharonville. Located next to the playground (and across the street from the community center), this creek is the perfect spot to dip your toes after a play date.

To access the creek, look for the stairway down to the creek behind the swings and next to the patio area. There is an opening in the fence where the stairs begin. It’s very easy to miss – but the view from the walking path on the other side of the creek can show you exactly where to go!

And while this creek isn’t very large, there is still plenty to explore such as a waterfall, big rocks to climb, and fossils to find.

Gower Park is located at 10997 Thornview Dr, Sharonville, OH 45241

Keehner Park

Head up to West Chester to explore Mill Creek in Keehner Park. I remember splashing through this creek as a child, and it’s still just as fun!

There are 2 entrances into Keehner Park. The second entrance (by the log cabin) is the best place to park for creeking. Several trails lead down from the parking lot to the trail that runs along Mill Creek. 

Keehner Park is located at 7411 Barret Road, West Chester, OH 45069

Pioneer Park & Dulle Park

In Montgomery, you’ll find two great parks to go creeking – right across the street from one another. The North Branch Sycamore Creek runs through both Pioneer Park and Dulle Park – although Pioneer Park is the more popular spot for creeking. 

The best place to reach the creek in Dulle Park is near the small playground. When you turn into the park, stay to the right and drive back until you reach the playground. To reach the creek in Pioneer Park, take the most left path when the walking path splits at the entry of the park.

Pioneer Park is located at 10505 Deerfield Rd, Cincinnati, OH  45242

Dulle Park is located at 10530 Deerfield Rd, Cincinnati, OH  45242

Miami Whitewater Forest

Over in Harrison, you’ll find Miami Whitewater Forest where you can enjoy exploring Dry Fork Creek. To reach this creek, park in the small lot off of Mt. Hope Road and follow the Shaker Trace Inner Loop to the water. This is on the opposite side from the main visitors center and parking lot.

Miami White Water Forest is located at 9001 Mount Hope Rd, Harrison, OH 45030

Sharon Woods

While Sharon Woods Harbor offers a fun, man-made creek, if you’re looking for the real thing, you’ll need to head over to the other Side of the park, from the Lebanon road entrance. 

After entering Sharon Woods from Lebanon road, either turn at the first left at Buckeye Falls Drive or the next left the parking lot for the Sharon Centre. Sharon Creek is located between the two parking lots. Access to the creek is right next to the Buckeye Falls parking lot, while access from the Sharon Centre parking lot is a short walk along a paved trail. 

Sharon Woods is located at 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241

Horseshoe Falls at Caesar Creek

Located a bit outside of Cincinnati is Caesar Creek. Here you can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and of course, creeking. One of the best spots for creeking is Horseshoe Falls. Take Perimeter Trail and you will find the falls just south of the Swinging Bridge. According to their website, it is about 1.5 miles from the Nature Center or the spillway parking lot. 

The best time to visit is during a dry spell, as any recent rainfall will create a fast-moving current. 

Horseshoe Falls at Caesar Creek is located at 3286 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068

Enjoy playing in the water with your kiddos? Then make sure to check out all the spots for water fun around Cincinnati!

Gower Park

Highlights

• Great playground for early walkers to bigger kids
• One of the bigger playground structures around for older kids
• Cool new features for 2021
• Cute little creek to explore next to the playground

Overview

Sharonville’s Gower Park is located across the street from the city’s rec center and library. In addition to the playground and creek, Gower Park has a walking path, picnic tables, gazebos, ball fields and tennis courts. Parking is available next to the rec center or on the other side of the tennis courts.

When you first enter the park, you’ll see the newly updated area of the playground. Gower Park recently debuted updated swings, wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, teeter-totter and a climbing dome. Next to this area is the toddler playground. Lastly, you’ll find the main playground structure, including a large rock wall. The playground is partially fenced in, with openings on the sides of the playground and a large opening to a path leading across the street to the rec center.

Further back from the street and next to the playground, you will find a patio area with picnic tables and access to the small creek. The closest bathrooms are located in a building across a bridge from the playground.

The playground

There is so much to explore on the main playground at Gower Park. First, the large 3-story playground structure boasts two slides (including one from the top level), several staircases and ladders, and interactive toys at every level. There is also a cool internal ladder to reach the top floor. Next is a two-story playground structure with a ladder and slide. A cool tunnel attaches this structure to the bigger structure. Rounding out the main playground is a rock climbing wall and rope wall.

There are a lot of little features I like about this part of the playground. Our favorite feature is the bug scavenger hunt, where you search for pictures of different bugs hidden all over the playground. On the ground level you will find a pretend storefront, kid-sized picnic table, and more interactive toys. Having these playground features low to the ground is awesome for kids who are still mastering walking.

I also really like how there are features for a variety of skill sets. For example, there is an easy staircase to access the third level of the playground structure, but there is also a more challenging vertical ladder too. That being said, you’ll likely want to stick close by a young toddler exploring this part of the playground. But by age 3, my son can manage exploring on his own without me worrying (too much).

Toddler playground

The toddler area at Gower Park includes a dinosaur climbing structure and two vehicle spring rider toys. The dinosaur structure is pretty low to the ground, and can be easily navigated by a young toddler. Most of this area of the playground is covered in mulch, so it is best for kids who are already walking.

Gower Park recently added to the toddler playground area, which is detailed below.

New for 2021

I was pleasantly surprised to walk into the playground at Gower Park this summer and find some cool new features and swings.

New to the toddler playground is a small climbing dome, a 4-person teeter-totter, and a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round. My son loved playing on the merry-go-round, and I loved how the base is at ground level and includes a spot specifically for wheelchairs. This area of the playground is also solid surface rubber – another element making this playground accessible for all children.

Gower Park also updated all their swings. The playground now features two saucer swings, two regular swings, one bucket swing, and one ADA swing. The saucer swings are so much fun, and a nice upgrade from the tire swings.

The creek

What I love about the creek at Gower Park is that it’s right next the playground. You don’t have to venture deep in the woods to find it; it’s just a few yards from civilization.

Look for the stairway down to the creek behind the swings and next to the patio area. There is an opening in the fence where the stairs begin. It’s very easy to miss – but the view from the walking path on the other side of the creek can show you exactly where to go!

The creek isn’t very large, but there is still plenty to explore. There is a waterfall, lots of rocks to climb on, and fossils to find.

Bathrooms

Head over the bridge closest to the main playground to find the main bathrooms in the Lovitt Building. If these bathrooms are closed, keep following the walking path up the hill to find the second bathroom.

The bathroom by the ball fields is essentially a fancy outhouse. It’s a bit smelly in there – be prepared for your toddler to loudly announce that the potty is very smelly before you go.

The not so greats

While there is a lot to love about the playground at Gower Park, there are some not so great aspects to be aware of.

Only partially fenced in. Gower Park is only partially fenced in, and unfortunately is also close to a busy street. A fence runs most of the length of the side of the playground near Thornview Drive, but there is a large opening to a path leading across the street to the rec center. The sides of the playground are also not fenced in, and there is a large opening in the fence along the back side of the playground that leads to the creek below.

Lots of mulch. Although the newer parts of Gower Park have solid surface rubber covering the ground, most of the playground is covered in much.

Bathrooms not super close or convenient. Having to leave the playground to go to the bathroom is never fun, but it’s even less ideal when the bathrooms aren’t located nearby. Having to cross a bridge, and then walk up a big hill to find a bathroom is definitely not so great.