Explore Winter Outdoor Activities in Carroll County Ohio's Scenic Lakes and Parks

If you have some cabin fever and need to get out of the house, I think we have some outdoor winter activities to cure what ails you. Get Outdoors!

We don’t have fancy ski resorts like Vail, Colorado, but we do have some awesome views and outdoor spots to enjoy in Carroll County, Ohio.

Winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sled riding, winter birding and nature watching, ice fishing, and winter photography are just a few to try. Safety guidelines, equipment, proper winter apparel and footwear, and weather conditions are key factors in being able to achieve these successful activities outdoors. One of these outdoor activities is sure to please even the most fair-weathered person.

You can do any or all of these activities at Atwood Lake or Leesville Lake. The Atwood Lake address is 9500 Lakeview Road, Mineral City, OH 44656, and the Leesville Lake address is 4131 Deer Road SW, Bowerston, OH 44695. Please check safety protocols and ice thickness on the lakes for ice fishing before venturing out. You will need at least 3 inches or more of fresh snow at the lakes before you can snowshoe. Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) will have posts on Facebook about pop-up snowshoeing events. You can also rent equipment from MWCD when they do a pop-up event. Please follow Atwood Lake, Leesville Lake, and MWCD on social media platforms for the latest up-to-date information on winter activities.

Carroll County Park District has two local parks around Carrollton that offer scenic trails for hiking, sled-riding, nature watching, and photography. Please bring your own equipment, as they do not offer rentals. The parks are open from sunrise to dusk every day of the year.

Bluebird Farm Park, which is run and operated by the Carroll County Park District, is located at 190 Alamo Rd SE, Carrollton, and offers scenic trails, a covered bridge, an amphitheater, gardens, a gift shop, Hidden Trails Wine Cellar, Hannon Hall, the Joyce Hannon Suite, and Susie’s Museum of Childhood on the property.

Carroll Community Park, located at 1363-1425 Salineville Rd NE, Carrollton, offers plenty of parking, playground equipment, soccer fields, scenic trails, bird & nature watching, and a port-a-potty restroom. A big barn on the property is available to rent for parties, weddings, etc. Contact the Carroll County Park District at 330-627-8046 for availability.

Anne Greene Memorial Park is located off N. Lisbon St. (7th Street NE—where CR 10 and Park Avenue meet) in Carrollton and offers parking, scenic trails, and a spot for a pavilion for a picnic or party. They have restrooms and a baseball field and are a dog-friendly park. Dogs must be on leashes, and you must clean up after your dog. Anne Greene Memorial Park is maintained by the Village of Carrollton. You may contact the Village at 330-627-2411 for pavilion rental and availability.

5^th Street Park in Carrollton is also maintained by the Village of Carrollton and has a paved and unpaved walking track, parking, a restroom facility and playground equipment, a splash pad, a basketball court, and plenty of space to play in the snow, build a snowman, etc. 5^th Street Park is also dog-friendly. Your dog must be on a leash, and you must clean up after your dog.

Veteran’s Memorial Park is located at 2044 Brenner Rd NE, Carrollton. This park is run and maintained by the Village of Carrollton. Veterans Memorial Park offers a pavilion available for rent, playground equipment, ample parking, baseball & softball fields, a port-a-potty restroom, and plenty of space to hike, nature and bird watch, photograph, and play in the snow.

Malvern Village Park is located at OH State Route 43, Malvern, OH 44644. This park is operated by the Village of Malvern, and for more information, call 33-863-1316. Malvern Village Park offers a paved walking path for winter walks and has pavilions available for rent, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, a bocce ball court, a frisbee golf course, baseball & softball fields, playground equipment, nature trails, and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. Malvern Village Park is also dog-friendly. Your dog must be leashed, and you must clean up after your dog.

Carroll County has no shortage of parks and lake winter activities. Whether you are lacing up your boots for a frosty hike, enjoying a peaceful winter drive on our many backroads, or enjoying one of our many local parks with family or friends, Carroll County offers something special all season long. Winter here is about slowing down, soaking in the beautiful scenery, and creating memories that last longer after the snow melts. Bundle up and get outdoors and discover what makes Carroll County a winter destination worth exploring.

Written by: Vanessa McConnell

Scenery at Bluebird Farm Park.