Buck Creek Trail

In Clark County
Buck Creek State Park to Veteran's Park 6.8 miles
Ohio State Route 1 (1)

Trail Description The trail, extended in 2005, runs from Buck Creek State Park, through Old Reid Park down the Buck Creek to end at Veteran's Park in downtown Springfield a total of 6.85 miles. It is a scenic and lovely trail following the Creek and passing dense woods. Since it runs behind many industrial facilities, it goes under numerous bridges and several conveyors.

The trail connects to the Little Miami Scenic Trail via the Simon Kenton Trail Phase IV completed in 2005 to downtown Springfield. When the last 3 or so miles South from downtown Springfield to the Little Miami Scenic Trail at I-70 are completed as a separate trail then the trail will be a dedicated off road multi-use trail. .

Hotels, Motels, B&Bs & Campgrounds near the Trail - Each trail has it's own accommodations near the trail. Click on the link to be taken to the Accommodations in the Miami Valley RailTrails Area

Route: (See map below) The trail runs from Buck Creek State Park SSE along the Buck Creek to downtown Springfield, Ohio at the Springfield Museum of Art (Yahoo Map).

Simon Kenton Trail (Opened 2005) The trail now runs all the way from downtown Springfield North to the Urbana YMCA, in both Clark and Champaign counties. The trail crosses over and is connected to the Buck Creek Trail at a railroad bridge. To go directly to the Simon Kenton Trail page click the link. .

Park and Ride Locations: There are parking, restrooms and water at Old Reid Park, Buck Creek State Park and the Beach Parking at Buck Creek State Park. There is also some parking at Veteran's Park in Springfield.

Rest Rooms: There are restrooms at Old Reid Park and Buck Creek State Park (several locations).

Impressions: The trail offers a beautiful scenic ride through fields and woods alongside the Buck Creek.

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	This is the start of the formal trail in downtown Springfield at Limestone Street (US-72) and Warder Street. The MapQuest Map shows the downtown streets of Springfield. Buck Creek is just South of Limestone St. (Route 72). The old railway that used to follow the Buck Creek and was used to service the companies along it was the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton; D,T&I

Here we are on the trail following Buck Creek through the industrial area of Springfield. We will ride under a number of bridges and conveyors as we travel East to Buck Creek State Park. In this photo we are looking West back to where we started.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	As we can see from this photo looking East there are more conveyors and bridges to go under. From what I understand this part of Buck Creek was even more heavily industrialized during the 19th century. There were water wheels in the river providing water power to the old mills along the Buck Creek.

This old railroad bridge on right (looking West) is the connection for the Simon Kenton Trail It's about one mile from the Western end of the Buck Creek Trail. Go up the ramp just below the bridge and go across the bridge in either direction. The Simon Kenton Trail runs North14.6 miles to the Urbana YMCA and 2 miles South to downtown Springfield. This section is called the Simon Kenton Trail Phase IV. See also the Simon Kenton Pathfinders website.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	At left is the ramp from the Buck Creek Trail up to the Simon Kenton Trail. We are looking West in this photo. If we take the left fork we go up to the bridge seen in the previous picture and then can go right (North) towards Urbana or left (South) to Springfield.

In this photo we are riding through some of the thick woods that is along the trail East of the Simon Kenton Trail connection.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	In this photo we are looking East along the trail after coming out of the woods. We are about 4 miles from the Beach parking area at Buck Creek State Park, with the creek on our left.

Here at right we have gone under another railroad bridge. Here we are looking West and can see other bicyclists riding East on the trail. We are about 3 miles from the beach parking area at Buck Creek State Park.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	After traveling through a meadow with a levee at right we come up from the level of the Buck Creek to cross the bridge at Pumphouse Road. Behind us to left is Pumphouse Road which is closed to cars. There is a parking lot. At right is the old bridge.

This is the historic, old road bridge on Pumphouse Road. It is across the Beaver Creek which flows into the Buck Creek. It was built by the Rogers Iron Company in Springfield. The trail crosses here and enters Old Reid Park ahead of us.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Here is another photo of the bridge viewed from the parking lot West of the bridge.

The trail follows what were park roads until they were dedicated to trail use, as well as new trail sections next to picnic shelters. Here we have crossed the Rogers Bridge and have entered Old Reid Park. We are looking South in this photo. There is one house at the bridge that has access across the trail to a road in Old Reid Park. You can see it at right of the photo. The ramp to the bridge is at the end of the photo	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We are now traveling through the South end of Old Reid Park, looking South toward Rogers Bridge. Note the several large park shelters with water and restrooms nearby.

The trail makes several tight "S" curves through this stretch. In this photo we can see the turn to left, facing South. The trail goes North another 100 yards or so until it comes out of the trees to the lakes at Old Reid Park	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We have come out of the woods. Behind us are the ponds. You'll ride next to several large ones on the way out. I have been told that they were once part of the City of Springfield's water treatment plant. They are shallow lakes and they are inhabited by large numbers of waterfowl

This is one of the large ponds (looking South) and the trail at the North end of Old Reid Park. There is a parking lot off Croft Road here with water and restrooms.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	Now we have crossed Croft Road. Old Reid Park is on the other side of the road and the trail turns North to run towards the dam and spillway of Buck Creek State Park.

About a 100 yards up the trail there is a parking lot off Croft Road. From it is a trail spur into the park proper. You can see the old railway bridge here that takes you into a .7 mile park trail into Buck Creek State Park and to the Visitor's Center.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	This is the parking lot at the spur described above. At right in the photo is the old railroad bridge pictured above.

The trail follows Croft Road for about a half mile until we get to the dam and spillway parking lot. We are about 1 mile from the beach.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	This is the dam and spillway parking lot. The dam and spillway are to left and behind us in the photo. Here the trail runs South along Croft Road and crosses Robert Eastman Road. Behind us is a stairway to the top of the dam. You can then ride along the dam to the Visitor's Center. The stairway is to be modified to add a bicycle channel.

Looking across Robert Eastman Road toward the dam and spillway parking lot.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	The trail follows Robert Eastman Road along the South end of the dam face. The road is above us and we are looking West back to the dam and spillway parking lot.

Here we have crossed Robert Eastman Road into the park again. We are going by the restrooms and water fountains (two) near the road. We will follow the short amount of trail left to the Beach Parking Lot.	Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo

Click on Thumbnail for Larger Photo	We have reached the Eastern end of the Buck Creek Trail. The Buck Creek Trail starts to the East at Buck Creek State Park beach area off Robert Eastman Road. Here we have taken the bicycles off of my car and are ready to ride West

Trail Description	Surface
Route	Map
Park & Ride Locations	Restrooms
Impressions	Trail Review (With Photos)
Simon Kenton Trail (Clark County)	Hotels, Motels, B&Bs and Campgrounds
Trail Detours and Construction Delays