Hogback Ridge Park

Hogback Ridge Park is named for its most prominent natural feature: a high narrow ridge of land bounded on two sides by steep valleys. This type of ridge is named for its resemblance to the bony spine of a hog. The hogback at this park is bordered on the north by the Grand River and on the south by Mill Creek. There aren’t any designated trails on the hogback. This section of the Grand has been designated a Wild River by the State of Ohio.

Fishing is popular in both the Grand River and Mill Creek. More than 70 species of fish live in the Grand; many of these also live in the creek. Common game fish include rock bass, bluegill and small-mouth bass. Steelhead are present in the creek from fall through spring.

The trail system includes a 1,300-foot accessible boardwalk and overlook deck, gravel trails and timber steps that lead down into the floodplain. These trails lead through a variety of habitats and varying terrain.

The landscape at Hogback Ridge Park includes upland hardwood forests, hemlock ridges and the floodplains of Mill Creek and the Grand River. An abundance of spring wildflowers provide a spectacular show. Late March through the end of May is the best time to view this colorful display.

Park history

Local history is preserved in the name of one of the trails: Old Emerson Road. Before any bridges were built across the Grand River from the early 1800s until the beginning of this century, local residents followed Emerson Road across the river and creek at shallow points called fords. The Emerson family (for whom the road was named) operated a mill near the junction of Mill Creek and the Grand River.

To protect the health of anyone who eats Ohio-caught fish, an annual advisory for how often these fish can be safely eaten is prepared by the Ohio Department of Health in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Click here for more information.