Dog walking in Burton

South Burton

In Burton, on the Burton-Troy border, is the 132-acre Eldon Russell Park. This nature preserve is a beautiful place to come for a walk with your pup, or for the more adventurous, you can head down the Upper Cuyahoga River together on a kayak! There is one trail within the park, the E.R. Nature Trail, which is a comfortable 0.76 miles through the grassland, swamp and forest of silver maple, ash, elm and white oak. The Statewide Buckeye Trail also runs down the western side of the park. At the entrance you will find the amenities including a restroom, picnic area and even a little playground for the two-legged children. As this is a State Nature Preserve, you need to keep your pup on a lead at all times, and always clean up after him.

Southeast Newbury

Five miles east of Burton is the Punderson State Park in Newbury Township, set over an incredible 741 acres with a 150-acre natural lake. There are seven hiking trails plus a multi-use trail to enjoy with your pooch here, but you must keep him leashed at all times. Trails vary in difficulty and length, so there is something for everyone; for example the half-mile Beach and Whiletail trails are easy, pleasant walks, while the Erie and multi-use Cayuga Trails are of moderate difficulty and 2.2 miles each. After your walk, seek out one of the seven picnic facilities throughout the park with tables, grills and potable water. There are also playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts, disc golf and many more family fun activities on offer at Punderson State Park.

West Huntsburg

Headwaters Park in Huntsburg has miles of trails to explore with your pup. This 926-acre park has five trails within the grounds that total 4.7 miles, plus over two miles of the Statewide Buckeye Trail that runs down the western short of the East Brach Reservoir. For even more walking, the Maple Highlands Trail also runs through here on its 20-mile journey from Chardon in the north to Middlefield in the south. Entry to this trail is from the southern end of Headwaters Park, where you can stroll out-and-back as far as you like. Keep your pet leashed while you enjoy the maple-beech forest and meadows and bring cleanup bags, water and any food you might like to enjoy along the way.

Sperry

The Rookery is nine miles northwest from Burton and offers beautiful scenery for an on-lead walk. This 562-acre heron preserve has two main trails here, plus numerous shorter interconnecting trails throughout. The paved Woodcock Trail is 0.4 miles and takes you through the picnic areas, marsh and swamp forest. The gravel Interurban Trail is a straight out-and-back one-mile walk over the Chargrin River, where you can stop and take in the spectacular views and spot some of the birds that call this place home. When it is time for a rest, stop at one of the picnic tables for a packed lunch. There are restrooms at the picnic areas and ample parking close by.

Novelty

Nine miles directly west of Burton is The West Woods – an enormous 902-acre preserve where you are permitted to bring your pet for a lovely day out in the fresh air. There are nine trails that take you through the wetlands and mature forests, varying in length and difficulty from the 2.7-mile gravel Pioneer Bridle Trail, to the shorter 1.5-mile Ansel’s Cave Trail or 0.1-mile Trout Lily Trail or Neighbors Way Trail. There is an incredible diversity of wildlife that call The West Woods home, as well as several threatened species of flora such as the butternut tree, blunt mountain mint wildflowers and species of rare fungi. For this reason, you must keep your pup leashed while visiting the park and always clean up after him.