SHAWNEE, Ohio — The Buckeye Trail Association announced progress in its effort to secure National Scenic Trail designation for the 1,454-mile Buckeye Trail, which spans Ohio’s diverse landscapes, connecting 47 counties and more than 100 communities.

The National Park Service is now conducting a feasibility study — approved with bipartisan support in Congress in 2022 — with public meetings slated for mid-January. Completion of the study is expected before the end of 2026.

National Scenic Trail designation would see the Buckeye Trail join a group of 11 existing trails, making the Buckeye Trail the fifth largest in the nation, the only circumferential trail, and the first trail to receive this designation since 2009.

This recognition would unlock significant benefits, including increased federal support, enhanced visibility and expanded opportunities for community and economic development across Ohio.

“Thanks to generations of BTA volunteers, staff, and a vast network of partners, Ohio’s Buckeye Trail is already a force of nature,” said Andrew Bashaw, executive director of the BTA. “National Scenic Trail status would ensure greater resources and recognition for our trail, enriching lives and fostering even greater voluntarism, sustainable tourism, and incomparable outdoor recreation opportunities around Ohio.”

“This designation would recognize what we already know about the Buckeye Trail, that it’s a premier hiking destination in the Midwest that offers unique opportunities to explore the entire state,” added Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz, “The loop around Ohio allows adventurers to visit our beautiful collection of state parks, wildlife areas, nature preserves, and forests.”

The National Park Service will host public meetings to gather input for this initiative. Ohioans are encouraged to attend and show support: January 23 — 5:30–6:30 p.m. (virtual) at parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=125615.

About the Buckeye Trail

Since its establishment in 1959, the Buckeye Trail has grown from a 500-mile route into the nation’s largest loop trail, closing the loop in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1980.

Free and open to all, 1,454 miles of the Buckeye Trail pass through 21 designated Buckeye Trail Towns and landmarks such as Wayne National Forest, Serpent Mound, and Fort Ancient, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Buckeye Trail is within 90 minutes of every Ohioan, providing an accessible connection to Ohio’s Great Outdoors and showcasing the state’s scenic and historical diversity.