One of the Last Great Places on Earth
Oak Openings Preserve Metropark
By Lora Goerlich
Ohio offers fantastic opportunities for equestrians, and nestled in the southwest corner of Lucas County, just west of Toledo, lies a hidden gem for trail riders. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark at nearly 5,000 acres, is the only park within the Metroparks of Toledo that features a bridle trail.
This valuable resource for equestrians is in the heart of the Oak Openings Region, renowned as one of the last great places on earth due to the globally rare ecosystems formed over twelve thousand years ago when the last glaciers retreated. Within this unique ecosystem, amidst expansive oak savannahs, wet prairies, and tallgrass prairies, you can discover twenty-two miles of well-maintained horse trail.
Parking & Main Trail Head
The main parking area is located at the southwest corner of the park: 5840 Jeffers Road, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571 and is easily accessed from State route 64. The spacious mowed grass parking area with a packed stone drive has both pull through and back in spots, in addition to a shelter house, two porta-toilets, hitching posts, a mounting platform and a handpump for water. There is enough parking to hold up to thirty rigs if everyone parks properly. A secondary parking area has been created in the mid-northwest section of the park. This area provides convenient access to the north loops and is situated on Monclova Road, accommodating only four short rigs. Please note that parking at this site requires blind side, back-in maneuvering. While there is a mounting platform located across from the parking area, there are no restroom or additional support facilities available in this location.
​The Trail characteristics and topography at Oak Openings Metropark are unlike any other. The mostly flat terrain coupled with resilient, double track, soft, sandy tread trail is attractive to riders and horses of all ages and levels. Long and short distance rides are possible with the different loop options. The trail traverses through diverse habitats from pine plantations that date back to the 1950’s, to restored oak savannahs, deciduous forests, and tall grass prairies. Every season offers horseback riders plentiful, unique, and low impact opportunities to view flora and fauna; something other park visitors rarely experience. Wildlife sightings might include whitetail deer and wild turkeys, small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons, along with a large variety of songbirds, woodpeckers and raptures, coyote, and fox. There are no large predators or venomous snakes in Oak Openings, but you might catch a glimpse of a colorful and harmless hognose snake or a swift moving blue racer. Most of the trail is exclusive (hikers are permitted) however, there is one short section (less than ¼ mile long) of shared, paved trail (this section is avoidable with proper planning). Spaced thoughtfully along the trail you will find three rest areas, each with hitching posts, picnic table and a mounting platform. Two of the areas, Springbrook and Evergreen Lake have access to water for horses too. Springbrook has a hand pump (with bucket available), and Evergreen Lake has an area for horses to walk in to take a drink.
​Rider obligations - Staying on designated trails is not only important, but it is the law. At Oak Openings you are sharing space with 1/3 of Ohio’s rare and endangered plant and animal species; it is truly a privilege to ride here. Stepping off trail, even for a second, could have catastrophic impacts on trail side habitats and the creatures who reside at the park. Riding off trail poses risks for horse and rider too…A life-threatening hazard for riders is ravines that harbor boggy mud. Fortunately, by staying on trail you will never find yourself stuck in the mud. A telltale sign of most of the boggy areas at Oak Openings is the presence is skunk cabbage. This large, leafed plant is easy to spot early in the spring as it emerges and throughout the growing season.
No Entry Fees
All parks within The Metroparks of Toledo system are free to use. There are no entry fees, bridle tag or parking fees for out of state or out of county visitors.
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Additional Information
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Dogs must always be on leash and cannot be left alone in vehicles or trailers.
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Horses cannot be left unattended in trailers or at parking areas.
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Alcohol and/or intoxicants are not permitted.
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Group/organized trail events require a special use permit (even if hosting takes place off site).
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Digital map available at: Oak Openings Horse Trail | Metroparks Toledo.
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Parks and trails are open every day 7am to dark
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Bow hunting is permitted for deer during authorized times; permission is granted through an application. lottery. Hunting spots are determined by Metroparks
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Other than the lottery hunt - hunting, trapping, or collecting are prohibited.
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Horseback riding only – no horse drawn buggies and carts are permitted on the horse trail.
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Portable fire rings are not permitted anywhere in the park; Fires are permitted ONLY in designated fireplaces.
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Horses are not permitted to roam free; they must be tied to an approved structure or held by the rider/handler at all times.
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Horse riding is only permitted on the designated and marked horse trail.
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Visit www.metroparkstoledo.com for more information on all Metroparks and to learn more about additional rules and regulations.
Written January 2025