Now that spring has sprung, more people are heading outdoors to spend time soaking up the sun. Whether you’re looking for the perfect park for a stroll or are an outdoor enthusiast looking for an adventure, there are so many great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in Central Ohio.

Here are five ways to take advantage of warmer weather in and around Columbus.

1. Go ziplining. Glide through the trees, soar over ravines, and walk over sky bridges through the canopy of an old growth forest, all without leaving the city. ZipZone Canopy Tours offers two-hour guided zipline tours at Camp Mary Orton, located 15 miles from downtown Columbus. Groups and individuals can call or make reservations online. You must be a minimum of seven years old and weigh at least 50 pounds to zip.

2. Go rock climbing downtown. Scioto Audubon has an outdoor climbing wall that features bouldering, top rope, and lead climbing. The three towers and two arches of the main climbing wall are 35 feet high and extend over 6,100 square feet. Climbing is free, but you must bring your own ropes and equipment. Wall climbers must be 13 or older, but there is no age restriction on the 10-foot boulders.

3. Visit a Metro Park. The Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks are composed of 19 natural area parks on over 27,000 acres of land with more than 200 miles of trails. Most parks also have special naturalist-led programs for all ages, and they serve as a great way to learn more about the natural world and about the plants and animals of this area.

4. Rent a kayak or canoe. Olentangy Paddle offers canoe and kayak rentals for trips on the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers. If you’ve never kayaked or canoed before, don’t worry. They have a guide who can teach you the basics before you head off on your own. They also offer themed guided tours where you can learn while you float down your river of choice.

5. Play disc golf. There are several free disc golf courses throughout Columbus. A popular spot is Blendon Woods Disc Golf Course in Westerville, which has been around since 1985, and has a challenging but fun course for beginners and skilled players alike. They do charge a small fee to play, but it goes towards maintenance and development expenses. If you want to play with others, consider joining one of the many disc golf clubs that meet up and play all over the region.

No matter how you decide to spend your time outdoors, Columbus and the surrounding towns have a wide variety of activities to choose from.

Image Source: StockSnap.io

[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[/cf]