North Chagrin Metropark Buckeye Trail / Wikipedia

The National Park Service is considering adding the Buckeye Trail, which meanders around much of Ohio, including parts of Cuyahoga National Park and the Appalachian Hills, as a National Scenic Trail. The NPS is in the process of conducing a Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study, which is intended to evaluate the potential inclusion of the Buckeye Trail in the country’s National Trails System. The NPS is seeking public comment on the feasibility study. 

Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility and suitability of designating the Buckeye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The NPS will be hosting six meetings for members of the public to learn more about the study.

The Buckeye Trail is an existing system of trails creating a loop extending approximately 1,454 miles from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, including the farmland of northwest Ohio, the Bluegrass region of southwest Ohio, the Black Hand sandstone cliffs of the Hocking Hills region, and Hills of Appalachia. The trail was built from 1959 to 1980 by the Buckeye Trail Association, a non-profit organization that still administers it. More than half of the Buckeye Trail route overlaps the North Country National Scenic Trail route as it passes through Ohio.

An important aspect of the study process is gathering information from the public about the trail, including determining the level of support locally and from the general public, and identifying any issues or concerns associated with this trail’s potential inclusion in the National Trails System. The NPS will host five in-person public meetings and one virtual public meeting about the study.

Public Meeting Information

• January 13, 2025 — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
  Hines Hill Conference Center
  1403 West Hines Hill Road, Peninsula, OH 44264
  4:00 - 7:00pm
• January 14, 2025 — Napoleon, Ohio
  Henry County Hospital Heller Community Room
  1600 E Riverview, Napoleon, OH 43545
  4:00 - 7:00pm

• January 15, 2025 — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Ohio
  Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center
  2380 Memorial Rd, Dayton, OH 45433
  4:00 - 7:00pm

• January 16, 2025 — Cincinnati, Ohio
  Digital Futures Building, Level 1 Conference Room
  3080 Exploration Avenue, Room 140, Cincinnati, OH 45206
  4:00 - 7:00pm

• January 17, 2025 — Athens, Ohio
  Athens Community Center, Room B and C
  701 E State St, Athens, OH 45701
  3:00 - 6:00pm
   
• January 23, 2025 — Virtual Public Meeting Link to join meeting available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/buckeyetrailfs - 5:30 - 6:30pm EST

In these public meetings, NPS staff will share information about the study process, including the criteria used to evaluate the trail for inclusion in the National Trails System, and answer questions.

The public comment period will be open from January 6th to February 19th, 2025, and provides an opportunity the public to review the feasibility study process and share feedback regarding the study.

During this time, we invite individuals to review the project and provide input. Please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/buckeyetrailfs for details and to share comments. Comments will be accepted online until February 19th, 2025.

National Scenic Trails are designated routes that traverse some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States, providing unique opportunities for hiking, biking, and experiencing nature. These trails are recognized for their outstanding scenic, natural, and recreational values, often showcasing diverse ecosystems, picturesque vistas, and cultural heritage along their paths.

Managed by various federal and state agencies, National Scenic Trails, like the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, offer well-maintained paths that attract outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. They often intersect with local communities and provide significant economic benefits through tourism. Currently there are 11 National Scenic Trails: Appalachian, Arizona, Continental Divide, Florida, Ice Age, Natchez Trace, New England, North Country, Pacific Crest, Pacific Northwest, and Potomac Heritage.

Feasibility studies provide recommendations to Congress regarding the feasibility and suitability of designating a national trail, based on nine criteria outlined in the National Trails System Act (NTSA) of 1968. By objectively examining criteria, feasibility studies assess how well the trail aligns with the NTSA's requirements, which emphasize the preservation, public access, and conservation of the trail's unique characteristics.

At the conclusion of the study, the NPS will submit its findings to the Secretary of the Interior, who then makes a recommendation to Congress for consideration. Trails in the National Trails System are designated by acts of Congress.