Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Parks of Hamilton County administrative offices are located in Winton Woods at 10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231. You can also reach us by calling 513-521-7275.

The parks are open 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk, except for special circumstances. Occasionally our nature interpreters will schedule program opportunities and we will host special events in the parks. Please check our event calendar for details. Boathouses, golf courses, visitor centers and gift shop hours vary by season and park location. 

Parks may be closed for short periods of time due to construction or inclement weather. If in doubt, please check the Alerts page prior to your visit.

Visit our Volunteers page to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Pets are allowed in the parks and campgrounds; however, they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet in length. They must be kept under physical control and not be a nuisance to other park visitors. Pet owners are required to remove their pet's fecal deposits from the park grounds. Pets are not permitted in the wet playgrounds, the Sharon Woods Harbor playground, Highfield Discovery Garden, Parky's Farm or the Winton Woods Riding Center.

A valid Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the parks. Cost for residents of Hamilton County: $10 annual/$5 daily; other visitors: $16 annual/$8 daily. There is no additional fee to use the horse trails. Horse trails are available at Miami Whitewater Forest and Winton Woods.

The alcohol policy as stated in Section 91.06 of our bylaws states, "No person shall possess an open container of beer or intoxicating liquor, within the park, except within the confines and privacy afforded in a cabin, tent, camping vehicle, permit premises or other non-public areas reserved or leased from the Board." If you have reserved an area in the park such as a banquet center, campsite or picnic area, you may consume alcohol in that area only.

Great Parks does not allow any vehicle to be pulled onto the grass areas of our parks except during special events as designated by the rangers. Our landscape and operations personnel work very hard to keep the gardens and grass areas in the best condition possible for park guests. All vehicles are required to remain on the pavement.

Please refer to the Great Parks of Hamilton County Private Drone Policy and  Commercial Drone Policy for bylaws and guidelines. All requests must be approved with written permission by the Great Parks Chief Executive Officer prior to drone usage.

The Heritage Village Museum in Sharon Woods is operated by Historic Southwest Ohio, Inc. For hours and information, please call 513-563-9484 or visit the Heritage Village Museum website.

Alms Park, Ault Park, Burnett Woods, Caldwell Park, California Woods, Eden Park, French Park, LaBoiteaux Woods, Lytle Park, Madison Park, Mt. Airy Forest, Mt. Echo, Mt. Storm and Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park are some of the parks operated by the Cincinnati Park Board. For more information on these and a complete list of all their parks, visit the Cincinnati Parks website.

Ohio State Parks in our area include Caesar Creek, East Fork and Hueston Woods. For more information on Ohio State Parks, visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.

First, be sure the animal is injured or abandoned. Some species of animals only tend to their young incrementally during the day and depend on the camouflage of the nest to protect them. For information on orphaned or injured wild animals native to Ohio and their species and habitats, please visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife’s website.

ODNR provides lists of Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operators and Wildlife Rehabbers. You may also report poaching issues via ODNR's website or contact the local ODNR Officer by calling the Xenia office at 937-372-9261. For injured birds of prey, contact Raptor Inc. at 513-825-3325.

You may be married in a general park area, but please know that you will not have exclusive use to the area. Other park patrons may be in the area enjoying the park during your wedding. Should you wish to have exclusive use of an area, you may reserve a variety of areas including picnic areas, lodges, banquet centers and the outdoor wedding ceremony location at Withrow Nature Preserve.

Picnic shelters and lodges may be reserved one year in advance by calling Guest Relations at 513-521-7275. Picnic shelters may be reserved online here.

Banquet rooms may be reserved two years in advance by calling Guest Relations at 513-521-7275.

Armed forces activity discounts are available to all active service members, military retirees and veterans. Family members and dependents are not eligible. A valid photo ID is required at the time of purchase. Acceptable identification may include a Uniformed Services ID card or Ohio Driver’s License/ID card with an armed forces designation. Some restrictions apply. 

Armed forces discounts currently include:

  • Discounted greens fees at all Great Parks of Hamilton County Golf Courses (valid for play Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays)
  • Free Motor Vehicle Permits (restrictions apply)
  • All-day rowboat rental for the cost of one hour at Miami Whitewater Forest, Winton Woods, and Sharon Woods (valid Monday through Friday, excluding holidays)
  • Discounted campsite rental rates at Miami Whitewater Forest or Winton Woods Campground (valid Sunday through Thursday nights, excluding holidays – discount not available online)
  • $10.50 daily fishing ticket at Lake Isabella (valid Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays)