Covid Policy Update

Going forward, the BTA will comply with any Covid protocols of facilities we rent, county health departments where our events may be, and any other state or national mandates that may occur.

Please be aware that along the length of the Buckeye Trail, many park and trail managers may limit access to their facilities or have specific Covid requirements. Before you head out to hike, check the web site for the location you intend to visit for any restrictions.


BTA Web Site Redesign Project

Attention website developers! The Buckeye Trail Association is looking to create a new BTA website with a modern design and more user friendly appeal. The BTA Website Development Team's Request for Proposal (RFP) document is available for interested developers. Deadline is June 3, 2024.

Save the Date for TrailFest 2024


The Central Ohio Chapter is proud to announce that the 11th Annual Buckeye TrailFest will take place on September 12th-15th 2024 in Columbus, Ohio at Camp Mary Orton. TrailFest is an annual gathering of Buckeye Trail enthusiasts, hikers, and trail maintainers to network, hike, socialize, attend workshops, presentations, and programs related to trails.

If you'd like to help out at Buckeye TrailFest 2024 in September, there are two ways to do that.

If you'd like to provide a program at Buckeye TrailFest 2024 in September, please click here and fill out the Program Application Form.

If you want to volunteer at Buckeye TrailFest 2024, please click here and fill out the Volunteer Application Form. There are all kinds of opportunities for you to help out that will make the TrailFest experience a great one for those that attend. You'll be glad that you did.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, please email

Interested in Bike‐Packing to TrailFest?

The Bike‐In will be available for up to twelve participants. The Bike‐In will begin on Tuesday, September 10th in Cincinnati and will arrive in Columbus on Thursday, September 12th after cycling 119 miles (32 miles on Tuesday, 55 miles on Wednesday, and 32 miles on Thursday). Participants will camp at Camp Morgan (near Fort Ancient) and London, Ohio.

The estimated cost is $50 for this three‐day tour and includes camping fees, instruction on bike-packing by our partner leader from Outdoor Pursuits and insurance through Outdoor Pursuits. Food is on your own. There will be an extra cost for transportation back on Sunday 9/15 TBD.

Registration for the Bike‐In is done by our partner Outdoor Pursuits. We will email you the registration link once you have indicated that you are interested by emailing to . Please email as soon as possible, as this will help us to work out details.

BTA's 21st Trailtown - Meet Spencerville!


The Trail Town dedication ceremony for Spencerville in the Delphos Section is being planned for sometime this year. The town of Spencerville hosts an annual ‘Memorial to Memorial on Memorial’ hike. This hike begins at Spencerville Area Veterans Memorial Park, follows the Buckeye Trail⁄Miami & Erie Towpath to the Delphos Veterans Memorial in Delphos on Memorial Day. For information about Spencerville visit our Trail Town page.

.


The BTA's Biggest Day Hike - June 1, 2024.


For all the information, including how to register, visit the Biggest Day Hike Page.

.



E.G.G.S. Hike 2024


Our 15th Annual EGGS Hike is scheduled for June 20-23, 2024. For all the information about the hike, please visit our EGGS page.

Registration has closed! We have reached our capacity.

.

Birding on the BT

Several years ago the BTA provided a pamphlet to assist avid birders with finding good locations along the BT to view a variety of birds. Ohio is part of a large migratory route with many species pausing here on their trek. The pamphlet is updated and once again available as a download. Winter birds are here and Spring is coming so this is a great time to plan your hikes.

Downlaod the updated BTA eBirding pamphlet.

Buckeye Trail 50 + 5 Challenge

The 50+5 Challenge was created in celebration of the Ohio Legislature’s Year of the Trails and the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act in 2018. In 2019, the 60th Anniversary of the Buckeye Trail and Buckeye Trail Association, we again invited Ohioans to challenge themselves to hike 50 miles on Ohio's 1,400+ mile BT and give back 5 volunteer hours to the trail we love. .

50+5 Hiker-Volunteers that complete the challenge and register their volunteer hours will receive a congratulatory packet including a certificate of completion, a 50 mile hiking patch, and a Buckeye Trail Association 5 hour volunteer patch to commemorate their accomplishment.

All the details are on our 50+5 Challenge page.

Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Acts

The recent Omnibus Bill that was passed by the 117th U.S. Congress in December included the Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Acts of 2021 and 2022. Passage of this bill will begin the process of conducting a feasibility study of the Buckeye Trail for possible designation as a National Scenic Trail. The federal agency that will be conducting this study will likely be under the U.S. Department of the Interior.

For additional information, contact Steve Walker at


2024 Events, Including Work Parties

The known events for 2024 are now listed on the events page.


Hike Join Volunteer Give Initiative

There is a lot of great news coming for the BT just around the bend, but we need your support today to help us continue our important work, for you, and for all Buckeyes. If you can, please take that next step and donate today to support the Buckeye Trail Association. Above All, Thank You for Hiking!

Visit the Events page for hiking information.

Visit the Membership page for membership benefits information.

Click on this Join link to join the BTA by credit card online.

Visit the Get Involved page for information on volunteer opportunities.

Visit our Donate page for additional information.

Download the latest donation appeal letter .

Click on this Donate link to make a donation by credit card online.



BT 101 Video

The BT 101 Video is now available as a YouTube video. You may see the video at this link: https://youtu.be/1z_6bSX2Hdw



Strategic Plan

BTA's Strategic Plan has been in the development stages since 2017 and the now completed plan called BTA 2025 will provide guidance to take the BTA forward for the next 5 years. The Executive Summary of this plan is now available BTA 2025 for download. Note: It is a large file.

Trailblazer Archive - DID YOU KNOW?

Some of our past Trailblazer issues are available online, including the very first issue published in 1968! We've come along ways in 60 years! Check them out on our Trailblazer page


Special Offers for BTA Members. Road, Rivers and Trails is offering a 10% discount for all BTA Members, just show them your membership card, www.roadsriversandtrails.com.

 

Volunteer Opportunites . . .

Are you looking for ways to help? Our goal is to find you a volunteer position worthy of your unique talents, and one that excites and inspires you. For more information on available opportunities, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at or register in the Volunteer Portal and you will be notified of opportunities. Remember that signing up in the software does not sign you up for any job, it just allows you to see opportunities. Register as a volunteer now!



Celebrating Volunteer Accomplishments . . .

We thank you all of our remarkable volunteers. Some of this work is perhaps not as glamorous as making a trail from a path in the woods, but it is rewarding and vital to the success of the Buckeye Trail. THANKS.