Buckeye Trail - Troy

Troy Section

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Trail Description


Hiking at Deeds Point in Dayton
Bill Franz

Supervisor: John Smilek
•

52.38 Total Miles / 52.38 Off Road Miles (100.0%)
Map Publication Date: November 2015

Along major rivers, on canal towpaths, along railroad tracks, under two Interstate Highways and near a monument commemorating the Wright Brothers' flying fields, the Troy Section of the Buckeye Trail offers hikers a glimpse into the evolution of transportation in Ohio. It follows in close proximity to the Great Miami River, using the same basic trail the Shawnee and Miami Indians blazed to their ancient hunting grounds in Kentucky. This trail was later used by immigrants settling the Northwest Territory from Cincinnati and eventually by the Ohio Canal Commission, which began construction of the Miami & Erie Canal in 1826. The BT starts in Fairborn Ohio and travels west running juxtapose to
Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, the largest single source employer in Ohio with over 30,000 positions in high tech logistics, test and research facilities and a squadron of C‐17 transport aircraft.

The trail counties on the northern edge of the Wright State University campus. As you leave the campus you come to a short side hike that will take you up a bluff to the Wright Brothers Memorial and the view of Huffman Prairie Flying Fields where the Brothers perfected controlled flight. As you finally leave the Base area, you will view the National Museum of the United States Air Force. A museum with an incredible display of aircraft and aviation and has free admission.

The Buckeye Trail continues down the Huffman Dam, one of five dams built 100 years ago to control the rivers in the Miami Valley after the devastating flood of 1913. The trail continues along the Mad River that flows into the Great Miami River. Near Point 4 on the Troy Section Map is the Eastwood MetroPark. In the summer of 2021, the Park became home to one of three new primitive campsites, all within a few steps of the BT, open to the public by Dayton MetroParks. Hikers and backpackers can register for these campsites at https://www.metroparks.org/things-to-do/camping/. Once on this page, scroll down and look on the right side of the website and you will find trailside camping with links to Eastwood, Island and Taylorsville MetroParks. The campsites are open all year round with a small fee. The sites are first come first serve with only one person/group allowed to camp each day. All the information you need to register is on the website.

As you cross the bridge from Island to Triangle Park, look to the west at the baseball field. If you are a fan of professional football, you must find the historic marker just outside the left field fence. This marks the location, confirmed by the National Football League, of the former football field that hosted the first professional football game ever played. It took place between the Dayton Tringles, who won the game 14-0, and Columbus Panhandles on Oct 3, 1920!

As part of an 8-mile stretch of the Great Miami River Recreational Trail (GMRRT), the BT follows the Great Miami River, under I-70 and enters the Taylorsville Reserve MetroPark. Just before you hike up the Taylorsville Dam, the second of the three Dayton area dams, you will ascend/descend on the BT, you will find the third Dayton MetroPark campsite on the west side of the trail, with facilities close by on the east side.

The BT continues to follow the GMRRT through Tipp City, Troy, to Piqua. The BT transitions to the Rivers Edge Trail in the city of Piqua, Point 17, and travels north of Piqua to SR 66 where the Troy Section ends.

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Trail Alerts

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Map Updates

  • (9/11/2024) John Smilek, Troy Section Supervisor, worked over the last three years to make changes to the Troy map. In the process he has moved both ends of the section, ceding some to the St Marys Section and gaining some trail from the Caesar Creek Section. In addition there is a change to the trail in Eastwood Metro Park and another change in Fairborn at Central Park. The information below incorporates previous updates to the November 2015 map dated (4-11-2024, 3-28-2023, and 7-23-2026). He has provided these updates to the November 2015 edition of the Troy Section map and to the early 2024 editions of the FarOut and Avenza applications:
    CW CCW Pt
    0.0
    W    		 52.38
    N    		 1 Pearl's Fen Park
    TROY SECTION begins here. This is also the northern terminus of the Spotted Turtle Trail (STT) being built by the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association. When completed, the STT will be over 15 miles long and follow the wetlands of the Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek with loop trails off the STT incorporating over 40 miles of trail. A “fen” is defined as a peat-forming wetlands that rely on groundwater input. Just S of the start of the Troy Section is a .2 mi boardwalk loop trail that takes you past the area where water is bubbling up from the ground in the fen. This is the headwaters of the Beaver Creek.
    The trail heads W from the parking lot. In 0.1 mi the trail splits. Take the S fork and cross the bridge. In 0.15 mi the two trails will intersect again and become one trail. Follow the trail for 0.25 mi until it ends at the City of Fairborn, Oakes Quary Trail. The hiking trail in Oakes Quary takes you back in time 440 million years, when all of this was a coral reef in a shallow sea. Researchers from the Ohio State University say these Silurian Age crinoid fossils are the best in the U.S. and represent an exceptional site worldwide. Turn right, NW, and follow the Oakes Quary Trail 0.6 mi. The Oakes Quary Trail meets the SW corner of Bath Township Park (P, PS, PT, Pr) at an asphalt trail. Turn N on the asphalt trail and follow it 0.3 miles as it passes through the park. Turn E through a gap between the chain link and white fences. Turn N on the Bath Township Maintenance Building Driveway. Cross Yellow Spring-Fairfield Rd at the pedestrian crossing.
    2.25
    W    		 50.13
    S    		 2 Yellow Springs-Fairfield Rd at Roehner Rd
    Turn W to cross Roehner Rd and continue on sidewalk along N side of Yellow Springs-Fairfield Rd (YS-F). Soon pass beneath I 675 where the BT transitions into a mix of sidewalks and city walking paths. Continue on sidewalk past recreation fields and cross both Sports St (0.5 mi) and Xenia Dr (0.14 mi, SR 235). Turn NW on sidewalk along Xenia Dr. After 0.35 mi, continue as sidewalk turns SW along Dayton Drive. After 0.3 mi as you approach Maple Ave, use the pedestrian cross walks to get to the SW corner of the intersection.
    3.65
    SW    		 48.73
    NE    		 3 City of Fairborn Central Park (WCS, P, PJS, PS, Pt, WS)
    Take the cement trail SW into the City of Fairborn Central Park. Follow the trail 0.23 mi as it travels along the outer edges of the park turning W, then S, and W at drive for the YMCA entrance to reach Central Ave. Cross to W side of Central Ave on crosswalk and continue S on Central Ave across Ohio St and South St. After crossing RR (0.15 mi), turn SW on Wright Brothers’ Huffman Prairie Bikeway (WBHPB) that lies within narrow, wooded corridor between RR and Kauffman Ave. Continue SW on WBHPB past access to W Garland Ave (0.7 mi, exits SE), across W Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd (0.8 mi) and beneath McClerron Memorial Skyway (0.6 mi). Trail is now headed W. After 0.45 mi, pass access to Wright State Rd. After 1.3 mi, WBHPB crosses Kaufman Ave at light and continues W.
    8.22
    N    		 44.16
    E     		4 Wright Brothers’ Huffman Prairie Bikeway at Memorial Rd
    Description same as Point 2 on the 2015 Troy map.
    9.92
    w    		 42.46
    E     		5 MRRT across Springfield St from Entrance to National Museum of United States Air Force
    The museum (free admission) is the largest aviation museum in the world (P, PS, PT, R, T, W, WC). Consider adding a day to your hike to visit this museum. Continue on MRRT along Springfield St across 2 roads. After 0.5 mi, MRRT turns N, soon passing both a motel and an imposing house, capped with a large Widow’s Walk. Continue N beneath RR using a culvert built in 1918. At the Mad R, go beneath the Harshman Rd Bridge. Immediately, leave MRRT to follow footpath along Mad R on N edge of Eastwood MetroPark, home of the Midwest Outdoor Experience which draws over 10,000 outdoor enthusiasts the first Saturday in October. Eastwood MetroPark exhibits wild areas as well as development (P, PS, PT, Pr, W) as one would expect in a unit of Five Rivers MetroParks (FRMP). After 0.42 mi, an obvious casual trail connects to parking (100' S, 39.784157, -84.129601). Continue on footpath along river for 0.4 mi and pass steps that lead to another parking area. Follow footpath past the small boat launch area (0.08 mi) and two shelters, as it then turns S and then SE to pass another shelter to reach the MRRT on the park road and bridge over the lagoon. Cross lagoon on bridge.
    12.22
    S    		 40.16
    N     		6 SW Corner of Eastwood MetroPark at MRRT Coordinates: [39.779633°, -84.139192°]
    Description same as Point 4 on the 2015 Troy map.
    15.22
    N    		 37.16
    S     		7 Deeds Point MetroPark (FRMP)
    Facilities changed to Facilities(P, W) otherwise description remains the same as Point 5 on the 2015 Troy map.
    16.2
    NW    		 36.16
    S     		8 GMRRT near Restrooms in Island MetroPark
    Facilities: (P, PS, PT, T, W, WC) Go generally NW on paved trails through Island MetroPark. After 0.2 mi, cross Great Miami R on rust-colored Gayle B Price Jr Bridge that overlooks the confluence of the Stillwater and Great Miami R and enters Triangle Park (Dayton City Park, home of the Dayton Triangles pro football team 1920-1929). Very soon, at junction with Stillwater River Recreation Trail, turn N (right) and continue on GMRRT along Great Miami R beneath Keowee St Bridge (0.9 mi), I 75 bridge (0.28 mi) and a RR Bridge (0.6 mi). Turn N away from the river along fence that protects the well fields and later an industrial area. After 0.9 mi, cross Chuck Wagner Rd and jog W before turning NE to follow narrow grassy area between Wagner Ford Rd and golf course fence. After 0.8 mi, turn E between 2 fences. After 0.6 mi, you will reach Needmore Rd near the Dayton Firefighter's Center and soon go beneath Needmore Rd Bridge. Heading N, enter a delightful flood-plain woods of primarily Box Elder and Cottonwood. After 0.5 mi, cross Birch Drive and continue N through field and river edge habitat.
    21.62
    N    		 30.76
    S     		9 GMRRT at Rip Rap Rd near End of Great Miami R Bridge (39.827517°, -84.165167° )
    Description same as Point 7 on the 2015 Troy map.
    23.72
    NW    		 28.66
    SW     		10 Three-Way Trail Junction near Little York Rd
    Description same as Point 8 on the 2015 Troy map.
    25.32
    N    		 27.06
    S     		11 GMRRT at Stairs to Blue Heron Shelter (P, Pr, PS, PT)
    Description same as Point 9 on the 2015 Troy map.
    27.32
    N    		 25.06
    S     		12 Tadmor – a Ghost Town
    In the next few hundred feet lie remains of the former Village of Tadmor. Tadmor boasted all 4 important modes of transportation during the 19th Century — canal, railroad, keelboats on the river, and the National Road. All came to an end following the devastating flood of 1913 and the completion of Taylorsville Dam in 1922. There is on-site interpretation for history buffs. After 0.26 mi there is a fence made of boards blocking the trail. Just beyond this point is a dangerous sink hole. DO NOT enter. Turn NW across the canal prism, ascend a few feet to rejoin GMRRT (150') and head N. After 0.9 mi at Old Springfield Rd, leave Taylorsville MetroPark.
    28.82
    NW    		 23.56
    E     		13 Trail Culvert beneath Old Springfield Rd (C8)
    Description same as Point 11 on the 2015 Troy map.
    32.32
    W    		 20.06
    E     		14 GMRRT near Kiosk in Canal Lock Park
    Description same as Point 12 on the 2015 Troy map.
    37.62
    SE    		 14.76
    E     		15 GMRRT at Small Trailhead off Dye Mill Rd (P, Pr)
    Description same as Point 13 on the 2015 Troy map.
    40.12
    SW    		 12.26
    SE     		16 GMRRT at Adams St Bridge near City Park
    City Park Facilities: P, Pr, PS, PT. Cross Great Miami R on bridge. Head NW on top of levee past Treasure Island Park. After 0.4 mi, stairs lead down to both Treasure Island Park (P) and Smiths' Boathouse Restaurant on N Elm St. After 350' at N Elm St, cross road at crosswalk. Go W on top of levee on across Harrison St (500'), above RR (0.13 mi) and across N Ridge Ave. Jog N across intermittent stream and turn N along S side of Trade Rd E entering an attractive industrial area dominated by Hobart Brothers facilities. After 0.7 mi at Trade Square E and Surrey Rd, turn E to begin a meandering path generally N through rural lands past a fenced spring (0.35 mi), trailside information about Paul G Duke (0.45 mi) and El Sombrero Restaurant (0.1 mi), possible parking on drive. Cross Eldean Rd N, turn E 200 ft to parking lot.
    43.82
    SW    		 8.56
    SE     		17 BT Marker Post on GMRRT (P)
    Description same as Point 15 on the 2015 Troy map.
    46.62
    N    		 6.16
    W     		18 GMRRT at W Peterson Rd (C31, P, Pr)
    Turn N onto GMRRT across intermittent creek. Follow GMRRT generally N. After 2.0 mi, pass Piqua’s decommissioned nuclear power plant (1963 to 1966). Piqua is the first city in United States to own an atomic power plant. Very soon, cross Great Miami R on trail bridge and continue N beneath Garnsey St Bridge and Main St Bridge. About 150 ft after going under Main St Bridge, exit the GMRRT NW using the trail that goes up the levee. At the top of the levee turn W crossing N. Main St and enter the Rivers Edge Trail.
    49.22
    W    		 3.16
    E     		19 Ohio to Indiana Trail at N Main St
    Historic downtown Piqua lies in almost all directions from here. The 5-block area around here was settled primarily by German immigrants who came up the Canal from Cincinnati. Lock 9 Park is just N of the RR bridge. The park (PT, W) features historic photos mounted on attractive brick wall. A plaque indicates that the lock was built in 1837 to connect Piqua with Cincinnati (1837) and Toledo (1845) by way of the Miami-Erie Canal. It was important to the development of Piqua. Water power from this lock powered industrial development nearby for products as diverse as flour, flannel and flax seed. The lock remained in use until the great flood of 1913. GMRRT goes north through Lock 9 Park along Great Miami R first and later Miami Erie Canal Towpath to pass Swift Run Lake.
    52.38
    NE    		 0.0
    SW     		20 SR 66 at Hardin Rd (C110)(P)
    Go W across S Main St on The Ohio to Indiana Trail. Across College St (0.5 mi), ascend to join former RR grade. After 375 ft at trail junction, take the right hand trail to join River's Edge Trail. In .15 mi pass French Park (P,Pr) on right and then turn right (NW) with River's Edge Trail to High St (0.22 mi). Continue across High St through wooded area past Franz Pond, across Park Ave (0.4 mi), beside hydraulic canal, past Echo Lake, above Fountain Park (P, Pr,PT, PS) and across Ziegler Rd (1.1 mi). After crossing modern spillway from Swift Run Lake (0.1 mi), reach trail and footpath junction (.36 mi). (P) on right. Continue on footpath 0.26 mi along levee, across two older spillways to SR 66 (P).


  • (3/31/2023) Five Rivers MetroParks have updated both their camping locations and procedures since the November 2015 Troy Section map was printed.
    This announcement contains two items:

    First, Five Rivers MetroParks phased out the campsites shown on the Nov 2015 edition of the Troy Section Map. Please make the following change on the map. Under the heading, “CAMPING ALONG THE TRAIL,” delete the entire second paragraph. And ignore the campsite symbols located close to Points 9 and 11 on the map.

    Second, Five Rivers MetroParks have established three new primitive camping sites along the BT. Information about the location and process to reserve the campsites can be found on the MetroParks web page. Once on the web page, scroll about half way down and look on the right side of the page to find the title, “Camp in these MetroParks”. Under this title you will see three MetroParks that have new primitive campsites. They are titled: Island, Eastwood and Taylorsville Parks. The Island Park campsite is open 1 Apr-31 Oct. Eastwood and Taylorsville campsites are open all year. Click on the name of the park and it will take you to a link with info about the campsites including maps, pictures, parking and capacity. The site also has a link to register for the campsites which can be done online.

    If you wish to mark the campsites on your Section map, Eastwood is about ½ mile east of Pt 4 (you have to climb up a small levee along the Mad River to find it), Island is at Pt 6, and Taylorsville is just west of Pt 9. All three have signs designating the camping area and are within 100 ft of the BT.



Trail Towns


Troy

The City of Troy is a wonderful place for activity, recreation, and of course hiking. We are your hometown city with all of the things you remember. The old fashioned downtown, the corner bicycle shop, and a place to get ice cream, the kind of city you would feel at home in as you travel the Buckeye Trail. Placed along the Buckeye Trial are the Miami Shores Golf Course, Hobart Arena, Memorial Stadium, parks, and our re-developing Treasure Island Marina Area. The Miami County Park District is moving toward developing a primitive camping area just north of the city.

Significant investments are upcoming in Troy’s riverfront park area, with items such as a new outdoor amphitheater, a river and trails activities rental center. Also the future holds a dramatic revitalization of Hobart Arena.

Troy is located along I-75 just ten miles north of the interchange of I-75 and I-70. . Nearly all of the Buckeye Trail in the Troy area travels alongside the beautiful Great Miami River, inviting you to come and visit.

Learn more and plan your visit to Troy here:: Troy Ohio

Piqua

Piqua, Ohio is located along Ohio’s Great Corridor, on the banks of the Great Miami River, and is home to many historical points of interest, a charming downtown, an impressive parks system, and many other attractions and amenities.

The Buckeye Trail enters Piqua from the south sharing an alignment with the Miami Valley Trail system and paralleling the scenic Great Miami River Water Trail. After crossing over the river, the Buckeye Trail joins the former Miami & Erie Canal alignment and continues to Lock Nine Park in downtown Piqua. Upon arriving in downtown Piqua, hikers will find a chocolate and coffee shop, an ice cream parlor, and restaurant options offering good eats and refreshing beverages. Downtown is also home to the public library, post office, laundry services, and banking establishments. Fort Piqua Plaza and the YWCA and YMCA can also be found downtown. Just to the west of downtown is the Caldwell Historic District, home to many beautiful residential structures, places of worship, and a bed and breakfast.

As the Buckeye Trail heads west out of downtown it follows the Piqua Activity Trail for Health to French Park, and then turns north and follows and alignment alongside the calm waters of Franz Pond, Echo Lake, and Swift Run Lake. On this segment of the trail, hikers will pass by a prominent mansion serving as a bed and breakfast, picnic shelter facilities located in Fountain Park, and the tranquil beauty of Forest Hill Cemetery. As hikers continue north, at the edge of the community they will discover Johnston Farm & Indian Agency, a state historical site including an education center, and a canal boat ride on a preserved section of the Miami & Erie Canal.

Click on the following links for a listing of local lodging, dining, shopping, or attractions.

For more information about Piqua please visit:
http://www.piquaoh.org/
http://piquaareachamber.com/
http://www.mainstreetpiqua.com/
http://www.homegrowngreat.com/



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Dayton

Dayton is located along the banks of the Great Miami River on Ohio’s Great Corridor and is known as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. Beyond the plethora of hiking opportunities; Dayton is a Bicycle Friendly Community situated at the center of the largest bikeway network in the country. The gem city also hosts some of the largest outdoor recreation events in the Midwest while being situated amongst 3 state designated Water Trails.

The Buckeye and North Country Trail wind along Dayton’s scenic rivers as the trail passes through several of Five Rivers MetroParks along land managed by the Miami Conservancy District. The trail through the Greater Dayton Region is one of the longest continuously off road sections along the entire BT and NCT at nearly 40 miles. Hikers are treated to the rich history of Dayton as the trail passes near sites of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and Deeds Point MetroPark where hikers walk up on a dramatic view of the Dayton skyline and more.

Dayton offers hikers a range of services from outfitters, camping, restaurants, and even outdoor guiding companies. The outdoor scene is strong and growing in the region with over 45 outdoor oriented businesses and 50 outdoor clubs creating a vibrant outdoor culture. Come hike, bike, paddle, fish, and more on the incredible natural assets of the Miami Valley…Get Out & Live!

Read more about Dayton and the BT here.

For a complete list of services, retailers, camping, and more go to outdoordayton.com.



Section Blogs

  • (11/6/23) Troy Section Blog - Provided by Victoria Livingston, BTA hiker. Follow the Buckeye Trail along the Great Miami and examine history: remnants of locks and a canal boat, Tipp Roller Mill, the ghost town of Tadmore, and a spooky graveyard from the 1800s. Follow Victoria and her husband Dave along the Great Miami Canal - History, Whimsy, and Graveyard