Stark Exploring Trail Challenge
Hike your way through the changing colors of Stark Parks as you check off your 2023 Stark Exploring passport. The annual Stark Exploring challenge runs from September 1st to December 31st, hike 10 of the select trails and celebrate your accomplishment with a Stark Exploring hiking stick and shield! All mileage is based on the honor system and the program is open to all ages. First-year participants can purchase the exclusive hiking stick and an annual collector’s shield.
Sticks and shields can be picked up, after you have completed the ten hikes, at Sippo Lake Park's Exploration Gateway (located at the north entrance at 5712 12th St NW, Canton). Supplies are limited and are first-come, first-served— while they last.
Please bring your completed form with you. Payment is cash or check only. Pick up is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All forms should be turned in by January 12, 2024.
Participation and Cost
First Year Stick...$15 per person Stark County Resident
2023 Shield...Free for Stark County Residents, $5 non-resident
2023 shield recipients can send a stamped/self-addressed envelope
with payment to Stark Exploring 5712 12th St NW, Canton, Ohio 44708
Receive your Rewards
Turn in your completed passport at Sippo Lake Park's Exploration Gateway (located at the north entrance at 5712 12th St NW, Canton). Payment is cash or check only. Pick up is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Supplies are limited and are first-come, first-served— while they last. All forms should be turned in by January 12, 2024.
Shield attachment assistance will be offered inside the Exploration Gateway on the following dates:
Friday, January 12, 2024
8 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Noon to 4 p.m.
Helpful Information
Find more detailed directions and information about each location below.
- Fichtner Trail (Loop Trail)
Parking: 12833 Market Ave. N, Hartville 44632
Round Trip Mileage: .39 mile
Surface: Natural Surface/Mowed Grass
Loop around this small park traveling through a wetland and a wooded area. The back of the property provides access to the Hartville Marketplace and Comfort Inn and Suites, in case you are hungry or tired! - Fry Family Park (South Trail)
Parking: 2533 Farber St. SE, Magnolia
Round Trip Mileage: 2.30 miles
Surface: Mowed Grass
Travel near the southern border of the park. Park at the shelter and use the Sandy Valley Trail to connect to the South Trail. - Hoover Trail: Washington Square Loop
Parking: 1325 E. Maple St., North Canton 44720
Round Trip Mileage: 2.28 miles
Surface: Limestone and sidewalk
Begin at the Hoover Recreation Complex ballfields and head east (right). After a short section on the neighborhood sidewalk, you will walk next to Starbucks Drive-Thru. Turn right to use the sidewalk in front of Washington Square shopping center to return to the E. Maple St. Trailhead. - Iron Horse Trail: FCC to Bayton St.
Parking: First Christian Church Trailhead, 1141 W. Beech St. Alliance 44601
Round Trip Mileage: 3.74 miles
Surface: Limestone
Head down the trail from the parking lot near the picnic shelter. Turn left to travel south on the former railroad route. You will cross Beechwood Ave. and Beech St. before a scenic stretch to Bayton St., the turn around point. - West Branch Trail: 12th St. to Fulton Rd
Parking: 1305 Stadium Park Dr. NW, Canton 44708
Round Trip Mileage: 2.20 miles
Surface: Limestone and Concrete
Park at the Timken Gatehouse near 12th St. and cross the parkway to the trail running along the creek. Head left. Not under the tunnel at 12th St., but it is cool to say you hiked under a road! Turn around at Fulton Rd. - Middle Branch Trail: Martindale Park to 55th St.
Parking: Martindale Park, 4053 Martindale Rd. NE, Canton 44714
Round Trip Mileage: 2.80 miles
Surface: Limestone
Head toward the Nimishillen Creek and cross the bridge as you follow the trail north. Bend around to the right with views of Gervasi's facilities, cross the boardwalk and walk through the canopy of trees before turning around at 55th St. - Nickel Plate Trail: McKimm to End of Trail
Parking: 2923 Pinevale Ave. NE, Louisville
Round Trip Mileage: 2.16 miles
Surface: Limestone
Head south from the parking lot on the crushed limestone trail heading up a slight incline, cross Georgetown Rd., and turn around at the fence where the trail ends. - Petros Lake Park (Loop Trail)
Parking: 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton 44706
Round Trip Mileage: 1.22 miles
Surface: Limestone
Enjoy several views of Petros Lake from different elevations. Parking is available on Perry Dr. A wooden bridge and occasional slopes are present on this route. - Petros Lake Park : Mindfulness Walk
Parking: 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton 44706
Round Trip Mileage: 1.10 mi
Surface: Limestone and Natural Surface
Use the north entrance to travel into the park and follow the signs to Shelter #1/Woodland Shelter on the right. The trail begins to the right of the shelter. The walk typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. - Pioneer Trail
Parking: Weis Park, 2600 Harvard Ave. NW, Canton 44709
Round Trip Mileage: 2.68 miles
Surface: Limestone, concrete, and asphalt
Explore a popular area in Canton and Malone University from Cleveland Ave. to Market Ave. on this up and down limestone trail. The parking area is near the midpoint of the trail, so you will pass your car after turning around at Cleveland Ave. and Market Ave. - Quail Hollow Park: Green/Equestrian Loop
Parking: 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville 44632
Round Trip Mileage: Approximately 1.70
Surface: Natural Surface trail shared with equestrians
Head left at the driveway split and park near the pond and playground area. You can start by the kiosk or behind the pond. - Sandy Valley Trail
Parking: 262 Maple St., Waynesburg 44688
Round Trip Mileage: 1.7 miles. 2.0 if you head over West St. and complete the loop trail.
Surface: Limestone
Head to the T in the trail from the parking lot and go left to turn around at West St. (west) and right (east) to walk to Greer Ave. - Sippo Lake Park: Sippo Lake Trail
Parking: 5300 Tyner St., Canton 44708
Surface: Limestone
Round Trip Mileage: 2.00 miles
Follow the limestone trail to the Exploration Gateway Shelter and Playground and back. - Sippo Valley Trail: Bison Ave. to 6th St., 1481 Bison Ave NW, Massillon 44647
Parking: Bison Ave.
Round Trip Mileage: 3.22 miles
Surface: Asphalt
Cross Bison St. and head east toward Massillon with several bridge crosses, a climb up to 17th St. and descent down takes you through Lincoln Park and next to Bottoms Park in Massillon before turning around at 6th St. next to Ring Masters factory building. - Sippo Valley Trail: Skyland Ave. to Bison Ave.
Parking: Skyland Ave. Trailhead, 2069 Skyland Ave. NW, Massillon 44647
Round Trip Mileage: 3.60 miles
Surface: Limestone/Asphalt
Head east (right) from the parking lot access trail and follow the Sippo Creek across Kenyon Ave. and Deermont Ave. This area of the former railroad is flat with some shaded and open areas. - Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail: Craig Pittman to Wooster St.
Parking: 8218 Hudson Dr. SW, Navarre, 44662
Round Trip Mileage: 3.3 miles
Surface: Limestone
Stark your trek going north from the parking lot toward the stone bridge, following along the Tuscarawas River and through the Village of Navarre. The trail will cross under one road and over Rt. 21 and Rt. 62. Turn around at Wooster St. just after you travel under the Railroad bridge. - Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail: St. Helena Heritage Park to Lock 4 Trailhead
Parking: St. Helena Heritage Park, 125 Tuscarawas St, Canal Fulton 44614 (off of Cherry St.)
Round Trip Mileage: 2.00 miles
Surface: Limestone
Head south on the trail and look for the Ohio & Erie Canal Lock 4 gates or the red locktender's house as the turnaround point. - Walborn Reservoir: Red Trail
Parking: 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance 44601
Round Trip Mileage: 1.0 mile
Surface: Natural Surface
This equestrian and hiking trail offers scenic views of Walborn Reservoir, north of Price St., with a short loop overlooking the water. The trail begins across Price St. from the marina and main parking area. - Walborn Reservoir: Shoreline Trail
Parking: 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance 44601
Round Trip Mileage: 4.60 miles
Surface: Natural Surface
Begin behind the Walborn Reservoir Marina and follow the natural surface trail to Reeder Ave. and back. Enjoy the views of the reservoir and a bridge and boardwalk crossing. - Hiker's Choice-Choose any trail within Stark Parks.
Use the ParkFinder map to search by activity or amenity to plan our next adventure.
Recent Posts
Derby Circuit-Spring and Summer 2024 Kids (Ages 4-15) can join the 2024 fishing derby circuit and participate in free fishing derbies from April to August. Sponsored by Stark County Federation… More
Stark Parks celebrated volunteer accomplishments in 2023 at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park earlier this month. Through September, over 14,000 volunteer hours… More
A new Stark Parks logo is being debuted to better reflect the park mission and create more consistency throughout the organization. The last true redesign occurred over 25 years ago when… More
Come back to Summer Camp on July 20 at Sippo Lake Park! This one-day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is for everyone. Bring along families and friends to… More
Beginning in March 2023, Stark Parks crews will begin preparing areas at Tam O'Shanter Park for parking lot and driveway updates including removing and relocating trees and vegetation. Construction will… More
We hope you enjoy the observations of eagle watching volunteers and invite you to stop by the nest site located on the west side of Walborn Reservoir at 13600 Marlboro… More
Geocaching is a great way to explore Stark Parks year-round! Find the hidden caches at different park locations and collect 12 out of 15 code words to win a unique… More