Buckeye Trail: Miami, Montgomery and Greene Counties
43.5 mi total 0.0 certified 0.0 connecting 43.5 marked 0.0 bare
At Troy, it's intended that the NCT will eventually turn east to join the Little Miami Scenic Trail near Springfield, but there's no obvious route to get there. For now, the de facto NCT route continues to follow the Buckeye Trail the route of the Miami and Erie Canal south into the heart of downtown Dayton. After the route joins the Miami River, it's not always possible to stay close to the canal route and diversion onto roads is necessary. However, creative route-finding has been able to mitigate the problem, and the route manages to spend much of its time off roads.
The Bed and Breakfast hop, with identification starting in the last section, continues all through this section. CAMPING: Camping is not prohibited on state canal lands, but there are few suitable locations. There is a campground south of Vandalia, but prior permission is necessary. Towns with motels are frequent. MAPS: Buckeye Trail Troy and Ceasar Creek Section maps. The Buckeye Trail Ceasar Creek Section map is used for the section between Fairborn and Yellow Springs. A city map of Dayton would probably be useful to some.
0.0 [0.0] JUNCTION OF SR41 AND SR202.
The roadwalk proceeds southeast on SR202 4.1 miles to Tipp-Elizabeth Rd.
4.1 [4.1] TURN WEST ON TIPP-ELIZABETH RD.
The roadwalk turns west for 1.9 miles on Tipp-Elizabeth Rd., until reaching Canal Rd., in the north part of Tipp City.
TIPP CITY, OH 45371 Convenience stores, limited services.
6.0 [1.9] TURN SOUTH ON CANAL RD.
The route passes south on Canal Rd., alongside the canal to the south city limits. The route continues south on Canal Rd. reaching Ross Rd. 2.1 miles south of the Tipp City limits. A white-blazed side trail maintained by the Miami County Parks District leads east 1.4 miles to Chesterton Falls, a 169-acre preserve consisting of a 37-foot waterfall, a limestone cave, hiking trails, a small pond and an observation tower. For more information, (513) 667-1086.The trail is getting into the Dayton suburbs; to the southwest is the city of Vandalia.
VANDALIA, OH 45377 (Pop 13,900). LODGING/B&B HOP: There are several motels in the vicinity of the I75-US40 interchange. Among them are: Cross Country Inn, 550 E. National Rd., (513) 898-7636; 94 rooms, small heated pool, restaurant nearby; Day's Inn North, Little York Rd at I-75 7470 Miller Lane, Dayton, OH 45414, 188 rooms, pool; Residence Inn, 7070 Poe Ave., Dayton OH 45414 (513) 224-0800, 64 rooms, pool, whirlpool, coin laundry; Red Roof Inn North, on Little York Rd. at I75, 109 rooms, restaurant nearby. RESTAURANTS: several. OTHER: Several highway service area stores, discount stores, mall, bank, etc.
9.2 [3.2] CONTINUE SOUTH ON CANAL TOWPATH
The route turns onto the canal towpath and heads south. After two miles, an old abutment along the canal marks the crossing of the old National Road, a toll road ofthe canal era. The route continues south for another mile, over an area that may be flooded following heavy rains. Note the remains of an old aquaduct where the canal formerly crossed the river. At the aquaduct, leave the canal and head south to Taylorsville Dam on US40. Cross the dam spillway to the east, and reach Bridgewater Rd. A short distance south, the trail turns west into the woods. A group campsite is located along Bridgewater Road south and east of the dam. For reservations, contact Dayton-Montgomery Park District, 1375 Siebenthaler Dr., Dayton OH 45414.
DAYTON, OH 45401-90. (Pop. 203,588) is far and away the largest city penetrated -- at least, temporarily -- by the NCNST; Duluth, MN is a distant second, at 95,611. Most people, when they think of Dayton, think of the Wright Brothers, but there have been considerable changes since the brothers operated a bicycle shop there. For information (513) 225-7705. For more information about the Dayton area, contact Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1 Chamber Plaza, 5th & Main, Dayton OH 45402-2400. From Ohio, (800) 221-8234; elsewhere (800) 255-8070, Fax (419) 332-4359.
12.6 [3.4] TURN WEST INTO WOODS
The route goes a short distance into the woods, then turns south and follows the riverbank south along the canal through the Taylorsville Reserve, passes under I70, and emerges on Rip Rap Rd.
13.0 [0.4] TURN SOUTH ON RIP RAP ROAD
The route follows the road south on the east side of the river. One mile south, at Little York Rd., the trail leaves the road and follows the river levee south and southeast for 0.9 miles, then rejoins the road, and follows it south across the river, approximately 2 miles. On the south side of the river, the route turns east for about 0.7 mi on Birch Drive West, and leaves the road to pass through private property, turning south for 0.3 miles, and crossing under the Needmore Rd. Bridge.
LODGING/B&B HOP: About a mile to the west of the Needmore Rd. bridge at I-75 is the Radisson Inn - Dayton, 2401 Needmore Rd., Dayton OH 45414 (513) 278-6048, 253 rooms, sauna, dining room, coin laundry.
18.2 [5.2] CROSS UNDER NEEDMORE RD. BRIDGE
The trail continues south, following a levee, then descends into the field. After 1.1 miles, the route goes under a RR bridge, and continues south along the river plain; after 0.8 miles passing under the Keowee St. Bridge. The trail then follows the river through Triangle Park (picnic tables, water, toilets). After 0.9 miles, reach the bikeway bridge to Island Park.
21.0 [2.8] CROSS BIKEWAY BRIDGE OVER GREAT MIAMI RIVER
The trail turns east to cross the bikeway bridge into Island Park, where there are picnic tables, water and toilets. Past the bridge, the trail goes through the park then turns southeast and follows the top of the levee, past Kettering Park. About 0.5 mi after leaving the bridge, the trail descends to follow a bikeway along the east bank of the river, enters Deeds Park, and climbs to the top of the levee again for a short distance, reaching the Webster Street Bridge.
22.4 [1.4] CONTINUE EAST ALONG RIVER FLOOD PLAIN
The route descends to the flood plain and continues east-northeast. After 0.3 miles, the trail passes under the Keowee St. bridge, then circles upward to use the bridge to cross the Mad River. The trail contines eastward on the levee on the south side of the river; after a mile, it crosses Findley Street and continues on the levee, following a lane used to service city wells. After another 0.9 miles, a training facility for the Dayton Fire Department is passed. About 0.3 miles past the training tower, the trail descends from the levee, passes under a railroad bridge and a small stream, and enters Eastwood Park.
24.9 [2.5] CONTINUE EAST THROUGH EASTWOOD PARK
The trail route returns to the river levee, and follows it east. There are picnic tables, toilets, and water. After a mile, the trail leaves the park, reaches Harshman Rd. The trail passes under the road at a bridge, immediately turns south crosses a railroad track, and continues to parallel the road southbound until reaching Huberville Rd.
26.2 [1.3] TURN EAST ON HUBERVILLE RD
The trail follows sidewalks along Huberville Rd. east. After 1.1 miles, pass the entrance to the U.S. Air Force Museum. If you're an airplane buff, it's easy to blow a day here. While the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington may have a few aircraft that are more historically significant, the collection here is far more complete, containing examples of virtually all of the types of aircraft the Air Force (and its predecessors) ever operated _ more than 300 aircraft and missles on display and displays relating to local aviation history, which goes all the way back to the Wright Brothers, but is rich in other ways ever since; the Air Force still does a lot of research, development and testing at Wright-Patterson AFB. The museum is open every day except major holidays. There is a fee; restaurant on premises. For more information, phone (513) 225-3284.
27.3 [1.1] CONTINUE EAST ON HUBERVILLE RD
The route continues east-northeast; after a short distance, the route leaves Montgomery county and enters Greene County, and turns east onto Springville Rd, but shortly leaves it to climb a wooded hill to the Wright Brothers Memorial, maintained by the Air Force.The memorial commemorates the Wright's first flight at Kitty Hawk, NC, in 1903, but the view from the top of the hill overlooks Huffman Prairie, where in the summers of 1904 and 1905 the brothers did considerable flying and learned much about the handling of the machine they had invented; it was here that they progressed from a brief hop to real flight. Huffman Dam and the activities of the Air Force base can also be viewed. The route descends the east side of the hill _ it's not large _ passes under a highway bridge and climbs to rejoin the levee, which here protects paralleling railroad trackage.
LODGING/B&B HOP: Two B&Bs are in this vicinity: Yesterday Bed and Breakfast, 39 S. Main, (513) 433-0785 off of Zink St., which the trail crosses; Candlewick Bed and Breakfast, 4991 Bath Road, Dayton, OH 45424-1756 (513) 233-9297, to the northeast.
28.6 [1.3] CONTINUE EAST ON LEVEE
The route continues along the levee, and reaches the campus of Wright State University, which is to the south, and crosses Col. Glenn Highway The trail then follows the Fairborn Bikeway along the green space corridor between Kaufmann Ave. and the railroad tracks for 0.3 miles, crosses Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., (Restaurants in vicinity) then continues the Fairborn Bikeway until reaching Central Ave. in the southeast part of Fairborn.
FAIRBORN OH 45324 (Pop. 29,702) LODGING/B&B HOP: Comfort Inn Wright Patterson, 616 N. Broad St., (513) 879-7666, 90 rooms, restaurant nearby, A/C, pool; Fairborn Fairfield Inn, 2500 Paramount Pl. (513) 427-0800, 63 rooms, pool, ; Hampton Inn 2550 Paramount Pl. (513) 429-5505, indoor pool, whirlpoo; others in area. RESTAURANTS: Many. GROCERIES: From large full-service supermarkets to convenience stores. OTHER: Shopping mall, bank, pharmacy, hardware, department, doctor, dentist, hospital..
32.5 [3.9] TURN NORTHEAST ON CENTRAL AVE.
The route follows Central Avenue sidewalks northeast for 0.4 miles, with Central Park on the east side, (restrooms and water) until reaching Dayton Ave.
32.9 [0.4] CENTRAL AVE. AT DAYTON AVE. IN FAIRBORN
NOTE: the Buckeye Trail maps overlap a little in spots, and this is one of them. This point is BT #1 on the Troy section; and BT #4 on the Ceasar Creek map, which picks up at this point. The route follows Dayton Ave. northeastward 0.4 mi to Xenia Dr.
33.3 [0.4] TURN SOUTHEAST ON XENIA DRIVE
The route follows Xenia Drive southeastward across the railroad tracks; after 0.4 miles, it turns eastward onto Yellow Springs - Fairfield Road, and follows it east, then northeast, 0.7 mi to Roehner Dr. The Bath Township offices and firehouse are on the southwest corner; there is a picnic shelter.
34.4 [1.1] TURN NORTH ON ROEHNER DR.
The route follows Roehner Dr. north, crossing under I-675, and passing Rona Hills Park after 0.3 miles; there are picnic tables and water there. The route turns northeast into the park, and follows it to the corner of Black Lane and Rona Parkway, where the route turns north through Cold Springs Reserve, owned by the City of Fairborn, reaching Armstrong Rd.
35.7 [1.3] TURN EAST ON ARMSTRONG RD.
The route is getting well out of the developed area now; it's back in the country, and follows Armstrong Road east. After a little more than a mile, it jogs north for about 0.2 mi, then turns back to the east, reaching W. Enon Dr. The route turns north on W. Enon Dr. for 0.5 mi, then turns east on Wilkerson Rd. (TR178) and follows it for 0.7 mi. to Mud Run Rd.
38.5 [2.8] TURN SOUTH (RIGHT) ON MUD RUN RD.
The route follows Mud Run Rd. south for 1.0 mi to N. Enon Rd. (CR18), then turns east on N. Enon Rd. for 1.3 miles, to where the road turns south and becomes E. Enon Rd. The route continues to follow the road south 1.7 mi to Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd, where there is a traffic light. The route goes east on Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd. to Corry St., in Yellow Springs, where the Little Miami Scenic Trail intersects.
43.5 [5.0] REACH LITTLE MIAMI SCENIC PARK
Description of this segment ends at this point.