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Questions about hiking

How far is the Buckeye Trail from me?

The Buckeye Trail loops around the entire state. It could be as close as your backyard, but chances are good that a section of the trail is less than 90 minutes drive from where you live. For a quick look, you can see approximately where in Ohio the Buckeye Trail goes through FarOut Guides →

To navigate to the hikes, parking areas, and trail Sections nearest you, try downloading the free OuterSpatial app from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), access comprehensive Buckeye Trail maps on the popular FarOut hiking app, or purchase a printed map of the Buckeye Trail from our trail shop →

My FarOut app is acting up, how do I fix it?

There is a known issue with FarOut at the moment. Luckily, the fix is simple: delete the version of the app that’s giving you trouble, then reinstall it. If you experience ongoing issues with the app, it’s best to contact FarOut directly so they can provide support.

How long does it take to hike the whole BT?

Now that’s a tricky question! It depends on the pace you prefer to hike at. Plenty of hikers take years to complete the entire trail. Some hike the entire loop in a Circuit Hiking group, where members meet once a month to hike a new Section until the whole trail is complete. Others hike the BT all at once. The current thru-hiking record holder completed the trail in just 35 days! Learn more about hiking events and how to get started →



Questions about getting involved

I’m new to hiking, is this group for me?

Absolutely. While many active BTA members are experienced hikers, we all started somewhere! As a group, we strive to make everyone with an interest in hiking or the outdoors feel welcome and valued, whether we’re on the trail or on a committee. We’re always looking for people with new perspectives and life experiences to join us, and we do our best to make Buckeye Trail spaces welcoming to everyone. Look over our Volunteer Handbook to see specific policies and practices, or email info@buckeyetrail.org with your questions or suggestions.

I’m curious about volunteering, where do I start?

We have a point person who can help you find the perfect volunteer role for your interests: Alexys Nolan, the Volunteer Program Manager. You can reach out Alexys by email at volunteer@buckeyetrail.org, or start by browsing open volunteer roles to get an idea of what you might be interested in. The BTA is powered by volunteers, and we’re happy to help you find a way to join in!



Questions about donations

Why should I donate to the Buckeye Trail Association?

Thanks for asking! Unlike many parks, the Buckeye Trail does not receive regular funding from tax dollars. The Buckeye Trail Association is powered solely by your donations and by the grants we’re able to secure. That means we’re operating with less of a safety net than some organizations have, but it doesn’t slow us down—it just means we have to get creative and scrappy to get the job done. Since 1959, we’ve been doing just that to create one of the most unique trails in the country, connecting Ohio and showcasing the incredible landscapes, communities, ecosystems, and people that make up the state. We like to dream big, and every dollar you give tells that we aren’t in this alone: The Buckeye Trail matters to thousands of people, and we’re all building it together, one step, one moment, one mile at a time. We think that dream is worth supporting. If you do too, make a donation today and explore more ways to support our work.

How do I know my donation is being used responsibly?

That is a great question. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Buckeye Trail Association is held to strict standards around transparency and reporting to ensure your donation is used effectively. We do our best to direct every dollar to where it’s needed most along the trail, and we go through an in-depth annual budgeting process to ensure we’re responding to changes and evolving needs from our community and the trail itself. The BTA is proud to report that we earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency in 2025 from Candid, a non-profit evaluator. If you’d like to dig deeper into the details, you can find our public financial information at ProPublica.

What other ways can I donate to the BTA?

We are able to accept many different types of donation, and we are deeply grateful for all of them! Support for our unrestricted Greatest Needs Fund allows us the most flexibility in strengthening the BTA, and we encourage you to start there. You can also designate a fund that you’d like to support, like the Trail Preservation Fund or the Academic Scholarship Fund, which ensures your donation only goes to that purpose.

If you’re interested in corporate sponsorship, donor-advised giving, or in making custom arrangements for a major gift, please email development@buckeyetrail.org and we will get you the information you need. In some cases we can accept in-kind donations, such as donations of tools, cars, or boats, but this is on a case-by-case basis. If you haven’t already, we also encourage you to donate your time and expertise, and join us as a volunteer. In giving of their time and energy, volunteers provide incredible support to the Buckeye Trail.



Other questions

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