Three Creeks Park Canoe Access
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Three Creeks Park Canoe Access serves primarily as a strategic and peaceful access point to Big Walnut Creek for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, rather than a traditional park with extensive amenities. It is well-regarded for its direct water access and offers opportunities for longer paddling trips, but parents should set expectations that it's a launch/exit point and not a recreational park.
Key Highlights
- ✓Well-maintained access area to Big Walnut Creek.
- ✓Provides a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
- ✓Excellent for accessing Big Walnut Creek for kayaking and canoeing.
- ✓Strategic exit point for trips originating from Alum Creek access points.
- ✓Strategic entrance point for trips exiting at Hamilton Township Park (approx. 2-hour paddle).
Standout Features
- ⭐Direct access to Big Walnut Creek, including its confluence with Alum and Blacklick Creeks.
- ⭐Features a picnic table.
- ⭐Good fishing opportunities in Walnut Creek (a large drumfish was caught).
- ⭐Provides clear recommendations for 2-hour paddling trips using this as an entry or exit point.
- ⭐Decent parking available.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be aware that this is a canoe access point, not a full recreational park; manage expectations regarding facilities.
- →If planning to fish beyond the primary accessible area, be prepared to traverse overgrown and potentially hazardous terrain.
- →Exercise caution around the bridge area as it is steep, muddy, and slick, especially with children.
- →To find the access point, drive through the circle behind the BP Gas station and Arby's, turn onto Old Rathmell Ct, and look for a sign on the right.
- →Consider planning a 2-hour paddling trip, using this as an exit from Alum Creek or an entrance to Hamilton Township Park.
Things to Consider
- ⚠It is not a traditional park; lacks typical park amenities and extensive trails.
- ⚠Other areas beyond the main access point are unmaintained, with long grass, ivy, weeds, trash, and junk in the tree line.
- ⚠The bridge area is described as steep, muddy, and slick, posing a fall risk.
- ⚠Only one easy area for fishing; other spots require navigating overgrown terrain.
- ⚠The gate may occasionally be closed.
- ⚠Finding the access point can be a little confusing due to its location behind commercial businesses (BP Gas station, Arby's).
Price & Value
Pricing for kayaking/canoeing or rentals is not mentioned in the reviews. The value is in the access to the creek for those with their own equipment.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The main access point appears functional.
- •The bridge area is described as steep, muddy, and slick, indicating poor accessibility for wheelchairs or those with mobility challenges.
- •No other special needs accommodations are mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •A picnic table is available, implying outside food is permitted. No specific food or drink restrictions are mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Decent parking is available on-site.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Described as 'quiet' and 'peaceful', suggesting generally low crowd levels.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features (e.g., staff supervision, first aid, railings) are mentioned, other than the inherent risk of a steep, muddy, and slick bridge area.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If expecting a traditional park with playgrounds, maintained walking trails, or extensive recreational facilities.
- • If mobility is an issue, especially around the steep, muddy bridge area.
- • Trying to explore beyond the main access point without appropriate footwear or tolerance for overgrown, unmaintained areas.
- • Arriving without clear directions, as the location can be confusing to find initially.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
🍎Food Policy
- • Grills available at Confluence Trails Area shelter.
- • Picnic areas available.
- • Pets permitted in picnic areas.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Pets shall be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
📅Booking Policy
- • Confluence Trails Area shelter is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis (not reservable).
🚗Parking Information
- • Main park entrance parking available at 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport OH 43125. Directions: From I-270, take US 33 East towards Lancaster about 1 mile. Turn right on Hamilton Road and go about 1.25 miles to Bixby Road and turn right. Entrance is about 0.75 miles on the right.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
RJD
2 years agoThis is actually a well maintained area with access to Big Walnut Creek. It's definitely not a park but it does have a picnic table.
Brian Harris
4 years agoIt’s honestly not much of a park, really as described, a canoe access point and that’s it. Walnut Creek is great to fish in but there’s really only one area to do it from here unless you want to traverse through the long grass, ivy and weeds, trash and junk in the tree line to get the bridge. The bridge area is steep, muddy and slick too. Fell and hurt myself trying to leave but that was my decision to go down there. Did manage to pull a big drumfish out of though.
Pieter Burg
a week agoNice, peaceful.
Driven
4 years agoQuiet. Gate was closed for a bit. Decent parking. Needs better trails
HP Wombat
6 years agoGreat place to access Big Walnut Creek. If using within Three Creeks Metro Park, good exit point from Alum Creek's access points. Alum Creek's confluence within the park happens after the Madison Mills Alum Creek canoe access, joining with Blacklick Creek into Big Walnut. This gives the parks its name, so I recommend this trip to experience this confluence. If used as an entrance point, Hamilton Township Park is the best exit point before Big Walnut's confluence with the Scioto River. Both trips are around a two hours, shorter if dedicated paddling. Getting to this Groveport rd. Access requires going through a driving circle behind the BP Gas station and Arby's, going to Old Rathmell Ct. You should see a sign for it to the right. It can be a little confusing, but the access point has been developed enough that it shouldn't be too difficult to find.