Sledding Hills and Winter Parks Around Upper Arlington, Ohio
Sledding Hills and Winter Parks Around Upper Arlington, Ohio
Where locals take a sled in Columbus's northwestern suburbs, when the snow actually holds, and which side of the Scioto to base yourself on.
The hills that actually work on a snow day
Upper Arlington itself is mostly gentle ground, so the sledding happens at the edges. Reed Road Park and Thompson Park give you short, safe runs for younger children, with parking on the street and a five-minute drive from most of the city. For a proper hill, locals cross into Columbus and head for the slope at Whetstone Park off North High Street, a ten-minute drive east across the Olentangy River. It fills fast after a forecast storm, so arrive before nine in the morning if you want a clear line.
Griggs Reservoir Park, along the Scioto south of Lane Avenue, is the other reliable option. The western bank has long, modest gradients that suit toboggans better than sleds, and the view over the water on a clear January morning is the best in the area. Neither park has a tow rope, a hut or a rental operation, so bring your own equipment and a flask; nothing on site sells hot drinks between December and February.
Winter walking when the snow is thin
Central Ohio snow is unreliable — some winters deliver three good weeks, others barely a dusting. When the ground is bare, the paved loop at Northam Park on Tremont Road stays open and drained, and it connects through to the Upper Arlington Public Library's main branch, which is a sensible warm-up stop with children. The Olentangy Trail, accessed from the King Avenue or Lane Avenue bridges, runs flat and cleared for miles and is the best bet for a cold but dry afternoon.
If you want scenery rather than exercise, the lawns and formal gardens at the Ohio State University campus, fifteen minutes by car, are walkable year-round, and the Franklin Park Conservatory on the east side offers a warm indoor alternative on the worst days of January and February. Parking at Franklin Park is free; the Olentangy Trail trailheads mostly are not, so check signs before leaving the car.
Choosing where to stay for a winter weekend
Almost all the practical hotel stock sits just outside Upper Arlington's boundaries, along West Lane Avenue, Olentangy River Road and the Sawmill Road corridor near Powell — the last being quieter and cheaper but twenty-five minutes from the sledding hills. The Lane Avenue cluster is the one I would book for a two-night winter trip: walkable to campus, five minutes from Griggs Reservoir and ten from Whetstone, with the 1 and 2 bus routes running into downtown Columbus. Rooms in that cluster typically sit in the mid-range bracket, higher on Ohio State home-game weekends.
If your priority is downtown dining and the Short North, base in Columbus proper and drive out; the trip from High Street to Lane Avenue takes about fifteen minutes outside rush hour. Skip airport-adjacent hotels on the east side unless you have an early flight — the cross-city drive in snow can double. Book two to three weeks ahead for January and February weekends, and check cancellation terms, because a thaw can change your plans entirely.
Timing, gear and what to skip
The sledding window in Franklin County is narrow: roughly mid-December to late February, with the best odds in the second half of January. Snow that falls overnight often turns to slush by early afternoon, so mornings are worth the early alarm. Temperatures hover near freezing, and wind off the Scioto makes the reservoir banks noticeably colder than the sheltered streets of Upper Arlington — layers, waterproof gloves and spare socks for children are not optional.
Skip the temptation to drive to larger state parks on a whim; the routes north and east can ice over and turn a forty-minute trip into two hours. Skip, too, any hill with a visible car park full of families at ten in the morning — try Thompson Park instead and come back the next day. And check the Upper Arlington parks department pages before setting out, since closures after ice storms are posted there rather than on signage.
Before you book
What people ask before booking Upper Arlington.
Some winters yes, some barely. Central Ohio typically sees a handful of sled-worthy snowfalls between mid-December and late February, with the best odds in January. Check local forecasts the day before and plan morning outings, as snow often turns slushy by afternoon.
The hotels along West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road put you closest to Griggs Reservoir and Whetstone Park, and walkable to the Ohio State campus. Downtown Columbus is a fifteen-minute drive and better for restaurants. Book two to three weeks ahead for winter weekends.
Yes. The Upper Arlington Public Library's main branch on Tremont Road is a good warm-up stop near Northam Park, and the Franklin Park Conservatory on the east side offers indoor gardens and glasshouses. Allow twenty minutes to drive there in winter traffic.
