An abandoned farm on the southwestern edge of Dayton, Ohio has been reborn as one of the region's more underrated outdoor escapes. Possum Creek MetroPark covers roughly 580 acres of lakeshore, hardwood forest, wetlands and restored prairie, and it packs in enough variety — paddling, fishing, camping, wildlife — to fill anything from a morning walk to a full weekend.
The park's backstory adds a layer of oddball interest. In the 1930s the site held an amusement park, and traces survive: buried streetcars and the wall of a former swimming pool are still hidden somewhere on the grounds. More impressively, what was once over 100 acres of dumps and worn-out farmland has been converted into the Jean V. Woodhull Prairie, now considered one of Ohio's finest tall-grass prairies. Grasses there reach six to ten feet high, sheltering deer, coyotes, green frogs and great blue herons.
Water is the centrepiece. Argonne Lake, a 15-acre artificial lake, welcomes paddlers and anglers — and here's the kicker: you can fish without a state licence, though daily limits (three fish) and size rules apply. The four wildlife ponds on the east side are catch-and-release only, apart from catfish and trout, and night owls can fish until 2 a.m. on summer Fridays and Saturdays. No swimming is permitted — the beavers that have repopulated the lake and ponds get the water to themselves, and the orange trail passes their dams and handiwork. On foot you'll find just over five miles of mostly flat trails; the 3.5-mile orange loop is the pick, stringing together the prairie, Argonne Forest and the ponds. In winter the trails double as cross-country ski routes, and ice fishing is allowed at your own risk.
Families get particular attention. The park's small farm keeps barnyard animals and runs educational programmes on small-scale food production, while the Nature Play area by the farmhouse is a natural obstacle course of tunnels, logs and stumps. Five campsites sit inside the park, complete with firewood, picnic tables and pit toilets — the shoreline sites get glowing reviews, though the restrooms have a mixed reputation. If you'd rather sleep in a proper bed, central Dayton is only about seven miles away, with restaurants, art and plenty of hotels.
Possum Creek works as a road-trip stop, an easy day trip from Dayton, or the anchor of a longer family break. James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is around 22 minutes away by car. Come prepared for the season: summer and the shoulder months mean bugs and ticks, so pack repellent, while winter brings its own quiet appeal for hikers and skiers.
