Outbound Collective logo

Walk around Smale Riverfront and Sawyer Point Parks

Cincinnati, Ohio

4.0/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

2.5 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Elyse Clark

Smale Riverfront and Sawyer Point Parks are both located in downtown Cincinnati and offer great walking paths along the river as well as opportunities to walk across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge into Kentucky.

There are numerous parking lots and street parking available around Smale Riverfront Park. Start your walk on the side closest to Paul Brown Stadium (where the Cincinnati Bengals play).  From here you can take a minute to sit on the large swings that look out over the river. 

Continuing along the river, walk up the stairs to the Roebling suspension bridge. You can walk all the way across the bridge from Ohio to Kentucky and back by using the pedestrian walk. 

Back on the Ohio side of the river, continue walking towards the Great American Ballpark (where the Cincinnati Reds baseball team plays).  The walkways will lead to Sawyer Point Park, which has great views of the Purple People Bridge. 

From here you can turn around and head back towards Smale Riverfront Park and Paul Brown Stadium, having great views of the river and Roebling Bridge along the way.  

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Fitness
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Groups
Picnic Area
River
Scenic
ADA Accessible

Walk around Smale Riverfront and Sawyer Point Parks Reviews

I'll start by saying I definitely prefer the great outdoors, away from people and cities. If you like those things, this metropark complex will be great for you and your kids! I did enjoy the walk and fireworks on the 4th of July last year, and there were tons of cool and interesting features along the way that made it more interesting than just a walk along a river.

Wandered down to this spot after a Reds game. Was surprised by the views of the river and Kentucky in the background.

When I was briefly in Cinci I walked around the park for an hour or so before watching the Reds make an attempt at playing baseball later in the evening. The grated bridge (don't know what it was called) was pretty neat. Made a really cool sound as cars went over. There's a steamboat monument where makeshift smokestacks are supposed to make synchronized noises as you walk by them in a certain patter. I couldn't figure it out 🙄.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Photograph the Cincinnati Skyline

Visit William Howard Taft National Historic Site

Visit Spring Grove Cemetery

Ault Forest Loop Trail

Hike the Sharon Woods Gorge Trail

Loveland Nature Trail