The Buckeye Trail Association

The Buckeye Trail Association The Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio over 1450 miles, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River and back again! Because it is a loop, it is also in essence, endless.
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First envisioned in the late 1950's as a trail from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, the Buckeye Trail evolved into a large loop, branching both north and east from Cincinnati. The separate legs rejoin in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, and complete the trip to the lake. You may start a hike at any point and hike as long as you want without ever reaching an end! The Buckeye Trail Ass

ociation . . . The Buckeye Trail Association is a large, strong body of volunteers who maintain and promote the trail. Though the entire route is marked by 2" by 6" blue blazes. The Buckeye Trail continues to change and improve. The BTA looks for ways to move road sections off the roads, and to upgrade those off-road sections to high quality trail. But the Buckeye Trail Association is more than just a management organization. It is also a social group. Several events are planned each year, both formally by the Association, and by individual members. Most of these events are open to the public. You can check out the events page for a list of many of these. Annually, the Association holds a gathering for all members, usually at a location near the trail. For three days, members are entertained and educated through a series of workshops and presentations. Several hikes are usually scheduled around the area. Finally, the annual business meeting, open to all members, is held during the gathering, giving every member a voice in the operation and future of the Association. BTA MISSION: The Buckeye Trail Association is the leader in building, maintaining, protecting and promoting use of Ohio's longest scenic hiking trail for our citizens, communities and partners. We provide outdoor recreation, opportunities to volunteer, education, access to the varied resources of Ohio and local economic benefits. BTA VISION: The Buckeye Trail, Ohio's State Scenic Trail, is a sustainable hiking trail that provides a safe and unique experience throughout the state reflecting the diverse resources, people and stories of Ohio. The trail is a dedicated, recognized and protected route developed and maintained by the Buckeye Trail Association, an organization reflective of the diversity of the trail. The Buckeye Trail Association works in close partnership with communities, organizations and agencies around Ohio creating a legacy for present and future generations. You are invited to join the Buckeye Trail Association. Simply fill out our membership form and send it to the address on the form. You will receive a new member's packet and the quarterly newsletter, Trailblazer. But most of all, you receive the satisfaction of helping maintain and improve one of America's longest and most diverse trails.

Discover the Buckeye Trail Anywhere! Who says you have to set foot on the trail to experience the adventure?The Discover...
06/19/2026

Discover the Buckeye Trail Anywhere!

Who says you have to set foot on the trail to experience the adventure?

The Discover the Buckeye Trail Anywhere program, a partnership between the Buckeye Trail Association and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), allows people of all ages to explore Ohio's legendary 1,440-mile Buckeye Trail from their school, community, workplace, senior center, or anywhere they choose. That's exactly what the students at Columbus School for Girls did!

As part of a year-long grit initiative led by Physical Education teacher Sue Castro, students ages 3 to 6 set out to virtually complete the entire Buckeye Trail. Every PE class began with a jog, and each lap counted toward their journey around Ohio's iconic trail.

As the miles added up, the girls tracked their progress on a large Buckeye Trail map while learning perseverance, determination, and confidence. Their challenge was simple: keep going, even when you're tired. Through every lap, they discovered they were stronger than they thought.

Before the school year ended, the students successfully completed the entire Buckeye Trail route. With certificates and smiles in hand, they celebrated their achievement alongside Brutus Buckeye!

Their journey is a perfect example of the Discover the Buckeye Trail Anywhere program in action. Whether you're an educator looking to inspire students, a senior looking to stay active, or someone interested in Ohio's natural and cultural treasures, this free program offers a fun and engaging way to explore the Buckeye Trail while staying active.

Ready to start your own adventure?

Download the free guidebook and learn more:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/find-a-trail/ohio-trails/buckeye-trail-anywhere

Congratulations to the students and staff at Columbus School for Girls for proving that the Buckeye Trail can truly be discovered anywhere!

Today, we recognize Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the ongoing p...
06/19/2026

Today, we recognize Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality, and opportunity.

In observance of Juneteenth, the Buckeye Trail Association office will be closed on Friday, June 19. Staff will return on Monday, June 22, during normal business hours.

While our office is closed, we encourage everyone to spend time outdoors, reflect on the significance of this day, and enjoy the trails and public lands that bring our communities together.

Volunteers and partners are the lifeblood of the Buckeye Trail Association. Volunteers and partners give thousands of ho...
06/18/2026

Volunteers and partners are the lifeblood of the Buckeye Trail Association. Volunteers and partners give thousands of hours of their time and energy to help build, maintain, protect, and promote the enjoyment of Ohio's 1,444+ mile BT. Our Volunteers deserve to be honored for their hard work on the Trail and off the Trail and we need your help to highlight all types of Volunteers and partners around the state to thank them and encourage others to follow their leadership.

Deadline to nominate a volunteer or partner is July 1, 2026. Award recipients will be honored at Buckeye TrailFest 2026.
To nomination form: https://forms.gle/CSQuWGLpveDpVVC49

Question? Contact the Awards Committee Chair at [email protected]

The Award Categories can be found at: https://buckeyetrail.org/awards.php

This week's spotlight award category:

The Bill Miller Award for Conservation

Honors any person or group responsible for actions that have notably preserved or restored the natural ecology or beauty of a locality by the Trail, or have brought under control a major threat to the utility of the Trail in some locality.

Bill Miller was an early and influential member of the BTA Board of Trustees and the Editor of the Logan Daily News. A portion of the BT is named in his honor at Lake Logan State Park, where he was instrumental in developing a partnership between the BTA, ODNR, and the Columbus Foundation to accomplish our first land acquisition in the 1970's to preserve a permanently protected corridor for the Buckeye Trail that was under threat of housing developments.

Past recipients:

2025 Heather Stehle

2024 Joe Carter and Petra Schmalbrock

2022 Ann Furste

2020 Brian Blair, Forest Conservancy, LTD

2019 Cheryl Kreindler

Prior to 2019, Nature Conservancy of Ohio-Edge of Appalachia, Roger Pawsaw, Dr. Carl and Gail Boesel, Rich Pfeiffer, Andy Hite, Friends of Monday Creek, Herb Hulls

First, a massive thank you to everyone who shared their incredible photos for Nature Photography Day. From breathtaking ...
06/17/2026

First, a massive thank you to everyone who shared their incredible photos for Nature Photography Day. From breathtaking sunsets to trail companions big and small, your pictures reminded us just how beautiful and diverse the Buckeye Trail truly is.

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the Gatewood Appalachia prize package is Bea Bishop with this stunning shot taken at Ash Cave.

"Our favorite place on the BT. My dad took me the first time I went (in the 80s!) and now that our daughter is at college at OU it has become a family tradition to hike that part of the trail. "

Congratulations Bea! Email is in your inbox to claim your trail-ready goodies.

Keep exploring, keep snapping photos and we'll see you out on the trail!

TrailFest 2026 will be here before we know it. If you're joining us at Salt Fork State Park this September, be sure to r...
06/16/2026

TrailFest 2026 will be here before we know it. If you're joining us at Salt Fork State Park this September, be sure to review these important deadlines for lodging, camping, and meal selections. We can't wait to spend another great weekend with all of you.

TrailFest 2026 will be here before we know it. If you're joining us at Salt Fork State Park this September, be sure to review these important deadlines for lodging, camping, and meal selections. We can't wait to spend another great weekend with all of you.

A recent article by Defiance County Economic Development highlights what makes this corner of northwest Ohio worth explo...
06/16/2026

A recent article by Defiance County Economic Development highlights what makes this corner of northwest Ohio worth exploring, whether you're planning a day hike, section hike, or road trip.

Take a few minutes to read the article, then add Defiance County to your Buckeye Trail adventure list.

Read the full story here:

History, heritage and hiking all await.Among the wonderful reasons to get out and move this summer is the Buckeye Trail, which meanders through Defiance County as it winds its way around the state.“The Buckeye Trail is an incredible asset to the City of Defiance,” said Ryan Mack, Defiance City A...

These are the words of our amazing volunteer, Kat Wollyung, BTA Trail Adopter for the Akron Section:"Excellent weather a...
06/15/2026

These are the words of our amazing volunteer, Kat Wollyung, BTA Trail Adopter for the Akron Section:
"Excellent weather at a five-day trail-work party at Mogadore in West Branch State Park had enthusiastic volunteers moving a daunting 17 tons of stone with wheelbarrows, buckets, and a power wagon for a connector trail at the large parking area off Rock Springs Road; moving a BTA sign for improved visibility; rerouting a short muddy section of trail; weed-whacking; and the impromptu building of a puncheon on Deer Run Trail (tree recycling!) for access to the park office and amenities.

We also built a new bridge with a little turn near Point 10 (thanks, Spax, for materials), and with a whole lot of teamwork and laughs, used 4x6s and tree trunks for new footers to repurpose an old Boy Scout bridge reusing its concrete footers and cut logs for stream-bank stabilization at its original location and adding ditches and stone for erosion prevention at the new site. Whew!

We were rewarded with burgers, tacos, s'mores, and campfires on cold mornings; gifted with sunshine and breezes, stars at night, and the welcoming community that comes with the BTA."

— Kat Wollyung

Some of the most memorable moments on the Buckeye Trail aren't measured by the miles you hike. They're found in the quie...
06/15/2026

Some of the most memorable moments on the Buckeye Trail aren't measured by the miles you hike. They're found in the quiet places along the way. Morning light breaking through the trees. A waterfall hidden beyond the next blue blaze. Wildflowers lining the trail. A view across an Ohio valley that makes you stop for a minute and take it all in.

Nature Photography Day is a chance to share those moments.

We're inviting hikers, volunteers, members, and trail supporters to post their favorite nature photo taken on or near the Buckeye Trail and tell us why that place matters to you. Maybe it's where you introduced a friend to the trail, finished a long section hike, or found a little peace after a busy week.

The Buckeye Trail connects forests, farms, small towns, and some of Ohio's most beautiful landscapes. Your photo might inspire someone to visit a new section of trail or discover a place they've never seen before.

As a thank you for sharing, one participant will receive a special prize package from Gatewood Appalachia filled with trail-ready goodies.
Drop your photo in the comments or email it to [email protected]. Be sure to include a few words about why that location is special to you.

We'll announce the winner on Wednesday!!

Business Member Spotlight: Hickory Haven Cabin at Trickle Creek Looking for the perfect Hocking Hills getaway? Our Bucke...
06/12/2026

Business Member Spotlight: Hickory Haven Cabin at Trickle Creek
Looking for the perfect Hocking Hills getaway? Our Buckeye Trail Association Business Member Hickory Haven Cabin at Trickle Creek offers the ideal blend of rustic charm and modern comfort.
Nestled on a private 3-acre wooded property, this custom-built log cabin is designed for relaxation and adventure and not to mention the rental cabin sits directly on the Voris Rd section of the Buckeye Trail!

Whether you're planning a hiking weekend, a romantic retreat or a relaxing escape with family or friends, Hickory Haven provides everything you need to unwind after a day on the trail. The cabin comfortably accommodates up to four guests and features upscale amenities that make it feel like a home away from home.

Support the businesses that support the Buckeye Trail! Learn more about Hickory Haven and plan your next adventure in Hocking Hills:
https://www.tricklecreekathockinghills.com/Hickory-Haven-HH.html

Address

127 W Main Street
Shawnee, OH
43782

Telephone

+17403942008

Website

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