Stark Exploring Trail Challenge
Hike your way through the changing colors of Stark Parks as you check off your 2026 Stark Exploring passport. The annual Stark Exploring challenge runs from September 1st to December 31st, hike 8 of the 12 selected trails and celebrate your accomplishment with a Stark Exploring hiking stick for purchase and the 2026 shield! Complete all 12 trails and receive a limited-edition wood token.
All mileage is based on the honor system and the program is open to all ages. First-year participants can purchase the hickory hiking stick and an annual shield.
Sticks and shields can be picked up, after you have completed the 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.
Participation and Cost
First Year Stick...$15 per person Stark County Resident
2026 Shield...Free for Stark County Residents, $5 non-resident
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.
All forms should be turned in by January 23, 2027.
Shield attachment assistance days:
Unfused Brew Hall
Jan. 9, 2027
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
120 3rd St NW, Canton, OH 44702
If you turn in your passport on Jan. 9 at Unfused Brew Hall, you will receive a free limited edition glass while supplies last.
Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park
January 23, 2027
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
5712 12th St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
2026 Stark Exploring Passport Coming Soon
Helpful Information
Find more detailed directions and information about each location below.
- Fry Family Park Shelter Trail and Woodland Trail Loops
Parking: 2533 Farber St. SE, Magnolia
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 1 mile (Shelter Loop) and Option #2, 1.75 miles (Woodland Loop)
Surface: Mowed Grass, Turf, and Limestone
Begin at the Visitor's Center Parking Lot and take the gravel trail toward the shelter overlooking the Sandy Valley. Continue left on the gravel for Option #2 traveling down a hill through the woods, crossing a bridge, and ending up at the barn. You can walk the road back up to the visitor center which is right above you. Head right after passing the shelter and parking lot on the mowed grass trail to loop back to the Shelter for the 1 mile loop (Option #1). Expect full sun and some ups and downs on this route. - Hoover Trail: Washington Square Loop
Parking: 1325 E. Maple St., North Canton, 44720
Round Trip Mileage: 2.30 miles
Surface: Limestone and sidewalk
Begin at the Hoover Recreation Complex ballfields and head north down the trail at the back of the parking lot. When you get to a split in the trail where a signs states Marquardt to the left and E. Maple St. to the right, head 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 and follow west to return to the E. Maple St. Trailhead parking area. Need a book, groceries, something to eat? You won't have trouble finding those as you travel by plenty of storefronts. - Mahoning Valley Trail: Gaskill Trailhead
Parking: 182 E. Gaskill St. Alliance, OH 44601
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 2 miles (Gaskill to Rt. 225) or Option #2, 5 miles (Gaskill to Rockhill)
Surface: Limestone
Park in the gravel lot and use the side of the Gaskill St. to cross over the Mahoning River before turning right onto the trail. Follow the river as it comes in and out of view next to the trail. Turnaround a little bit beyond the Rt. Boardwalk at the sign for the 2 mile excursion or continue on the trail as it climbs up to Rockhill Ave. before turning around for the longer trip. - Petros Lake Park: Mindfulness Walk
Parking: 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton 44706
Round Trip Mileage: 1.10 miles
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. It is a loop trail. - Pike Ridge Park: Loop Trail
Parking: 7498 East Sparta Ave., Magnolia, 44643
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 1 mile or Option #2, 2.50 miles
Surface: Improved gravel access road and natural surface with gradual and steeper climbing and descents.
From the parking lot, take the main gravel trail east and veer left at the gate. Turn right at Sign #5 to follow the loop counterclockwise, turn left between Signs #8 and #9 and travel in between the two ponds as your work your way back to the main gravel trail. This trail has several gradual steep climbs and descents and the majority of the route is in open fields without shade. Consider this the most difficult trail option in the 2026 challenge. - Quail Hollow Park: Green and Red Trails
Parking: 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville 44632
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 1.25 mile (Green Trail) or Option #2, 3.75 miles (Green and Red Trails)
Surface: Natural Surface trail
Begin at the Pond Parking Lot by veering left as you approach the split in the driveway. The Green Trail begins next to the kiosk with the map on it. After a short approach it loops to the right and straight ahead at the G4 intersection. You can pick which way you wish to loop. The Red Trail connects at the top of the loop and continues over the main driveway and uses a portion of the Buckeye Trail to complete a loop before retracing your route back to the Green Trail and Pond Parking Lot. The Red Trail can be very muddy after storms and heavy rain. Both the Green and Red Trails are shared hiking and equestrian trails. Please give a verbal and ask permission to pass from the horseback rider. - Sippo Lake Park: East Entrance and Marina Area
Parking: 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton 44708
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1 1.30 mile (to Exploration Gateway) or 2.50 miles (to Wildlife Conservation Center)
Surface: Asphalt and Crushed Limestone
Look for the Sippo Lake Trail entrance in the NE corner of the parking lot to begin. Take the trail toward the Exploration Gateway and Wildlife Conservation Center. Once you cross the boardwalk bridge over a wetland, you will see the Exploration Gateway, the turnaround point for the 1.30 mile hike. Continue beyond that and travel by the Trail Tales Story Walk on your left before crossing the bridge on the same side. Head straight ahead at the first trail split and you will discover the Wildlife Conservation Center at the West Entrance to the park. Spend a few minutes seeing the live animals in the outdoor enclosures before continuing left (and another left) around the Wetland Trail that connects back near the bridge to retrace your route back. - Sippo Valley Trail: Skyland Trailhead
Parking: 2069 Skyland Ave NW Massillon, OH 44647
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 2 miles (Skyland Ave. to Deermont Ave.) Option #2, 5 miles (Skyland Ave. to 17th St.)
Surface: Limestone and Asphalt
Head down the trail access from the parking lot and turn right on this former railroad route that is very flat. Cross over Skyland Ave. and Kenyon Ave. before reaching the Option #1 turnaround point at Deermont Ave. Continue heading east and cross 17th St./Bison Ave. before reaching Option #2 turnaround point at 17th St. There is a small climb up to 17th St. crossing with a restroom in Lincoln Park across the street and down the hill some. (it may be closed as colder weather comes in though) - Tam O'Shanter Park: North Loop and West Loop
Parking: 5055 Hills & Dales Rd. NW, Canton, OH 44708
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 1.3 miles (Green Loop) or Option #2, 2.6 miles (Green and Brown Loops)
Surface: Asphalt, Limestone, Mowed Grass, Natural Surface
Begin at the shelter parking lot and follow the Green Trail that comes off the asphalt trail between the Shelter and Clubhouse (new restrooms and vending machine). Head north on the limestone trail and continue on the natural surface trail as it bends to the left before heading south. As you approach the front of the park, bend west again to the Brown Trail for the longer loop. Expect some steeper declines and inclines before meeting with the gravel driveway taking you back into the parking lot where you started. Now you experienced the Hills and the Dales during your walk! - Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail: Lock 4 Trailhead
Parking: 6575 Erie Ave. NW, Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 2.6 miles (Lock 4 to Butterbridge) or Option #2,, 7.6 miles (Lock 4 to Crystal Springs)
Surface: Limestone
Enjoy a popular stretch of the Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal and Tuscarawas River with shade and benches for breaks along the way. A parking lot at the Lock 4 Trailhead requires a few steps up to cross the bridge over the former canal before heading left down the trail. Pull-off parking offers an at-grade path about 150 yards south of the parking lot. For Option #1, once you reach Butterbridge Rd., it is time to turn around and catch any sights you missed while heading south. For Option #2, cross over Butterbridge Rd., and make your way down the trail to Crystal Springs Trailhead for the Turnaround sign or the bridge on the left and head back north. Please stay to the right as this can be a busy section with bikers, runners, hikers, and dog walkers. - Walborn Reservoir: Reeder Ave. Trailhead (Shoreline Trail)
Parking: 12824 Reeder Ave. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 2 miles or Option #2, 4.60 miles
Surface: Natural Surface
Take the Shoreline Trail and bend to the right on the grass path with a boardwalk into the woods. Enjoy occasional views of the water and some rolling terrain through the woodland. Once you hit the sign, turnaround and head back the same way. For Option #2, cross the bridge and climb up a hill before bending left. You will hear water flowing from the dam next to you as you work your way to the shelter and marina. Restrooms will be open at the marina until cold temperatures require winterization. - Hiker's Choice- Choose any trail within Stark Parks.
Use the Parks and Trails menu or Interactive Map to find a new location for adventure. You can create and save an itinerary too!
Interactive Map