Outdoor Activity Guide

Find 15 ways to spend your time in the great outdoors!

We are anxiously awaiting more sunshine and warm weather. Springtime is the best time to get outdoors. Whether you're looking for a little adventure, scenic beauty, or just to get active— you can start planning your adventures for the Spring and Summer right now.  

1. VOA Park

The Voice of America Park in West Chester is a great place to get out with the kids, or even your furry friends. The site is home to miles of walking and jogging trails, athletic fields and even a dog park and also offers a 35-acre stocked fishing lake, family friendly and fun paddle boats and paddle boards — so there's a little something for everyone. 

2. Admire Murals

Beautiful murals are scattered all throughout our entire county. Be sure to check out the art in Middletown, Hamilton, and Oxford. A day of finding and admiring all of these murals is a day well spent! The Liberty Center is also home to the popular #WhatLiftsYou murals by the famous artist Kelsey Montague. These are great selfie spots, picnic spots or just a scenic place to relax. 

3. Dine Outside 

Check out our Patio Dining Guide for a list of local restaurants, bars and breweries where you can enjoy your meal or a drink outside. This resource also includes pup-friendly patios too!

4. Grab Some Soft-Serve

Who doesn't love to enjoy their favorite ice cream while simultaneously enjoying a nice day outside? They go hand-in-hand. Butler County is full of local creamy whips with dozens of flavors, toppings and wild combinations. Take your family to The Cone, Flub's, The Dip, or Spring Street Treats and then take a stroll or just sit outside... but don't let it melt! 

5. Horseback Riding

Horseback riding through scenic paths in Oxford Ohio sounds like the perfect day in the outdoors. Nation Road Horse Rental offers four different guided trail rides catered to all experience levels! It's a great way to get active, hangout with some awesome animals and maybe do something you've never done before. 

6. Marsh Park

Marsh Park in Fairfield features a beautiful large stock-fishing lake, paved hiking and biking trails and a bait house. The Fishing Lake is a natural spring fed lake with over 4,000 feet of accessible shoreline. Regularly stocked throughout the season, the lake is home to carp, catfish, crappie, bass, bluegill, northern pike, perch, trout and walleye. What better way to spend a nice Summer day?

7. Sip & Stroll with DORA

DORA is Butler County's Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Areas where adults are able to stroll the downtown and Main Street areas with alcoholic beverages from participating businesses. You can enjoy a beautiful day outside with a DORA beverage in areas of Hamilton, Middletown, Oxford and Liberty Center!

8. Great Miami Riverway

The Great Miami Riverway encompasses 99 miles of beautiful paved trails, river, and connections to several different communities throughout our county... and this riverfront has a TON of great outdoor activities to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, admiring wildlife, bike trails, walks beneath a covered bridge and so much more!

9. Holiday Auto Theatre

A movie night and having a great time outdoors? The Holiday Auto Theatre is a great way to spend a warm Summer night with family. This drive-in is a staple of Butler County that has been treating audiences to double features from the comfort of their own car, for over sixty years! 

10. Governor Bebb MetroPark

The perfect mix of beautiful scenery, fresh air and historical flavor! The Governor Bebb Preserve features a historical pioneer village, which includes the log house birthplace of William Bebb, Butler County native and Ohio's nineteenth governor. With 264 acres of forest and thriving wildlife, it's a great place to hike the nature trails, walk over a covered bridge circa 1850, or go for a picnic at one of their picnic areas. 

11. Parks & Trails

We've mentioned a few different parks already, but Butler County is home to so many great Parks & Trails to get you out in nature. Grab your friends, family or even your furry friends and head out to one of our amazing parks for a hike, walk, run, or relaxing day in the sun! Harbin Park in Fairfield is a great option for nature trails, and their regionally-renowned mountain biking trails. 

12. City of Sculpture

Hamilton is popularly known as the City of Sculpture... want to know why? Take a walk around Downtown Hamilton and find out for yourself! It's a city full of art with its multitude of murals and downtown sculptures. If you have never seen all of the beautiful art throughout downtown Hamilton, we recommend spending a day walking around to check it out. 

13. FurField Dog Park

Dogs need some Summer fun too! FurField Park in Fairfield is the perfect place to take your pups for some outdoor adventure. This 6.5 acre dog park has plenty of room for your pups to run, a huge pond for your dogs to swim, and multiple play areas. 

14. Black Covered Bridge 

The Black Covered Bridge in Oxford was built in 1869, and is the only covered bridge in Butler County remaining in its original location! It's a great place for a warm Summer drive. The Black Covered Bridge is recognized as one of the longest and most impressive of Ohio’s covered bridges. It is unique for its combination of two truss types – Childs and Long – within a single structure.