Great Miami River Recreation Trail

South from Sinclair Park (North Terminus) To Crains Run Nature Park (Southern Terminus)

Surface: The Great Miami River Recreation Trail is completely paved. While this trail is not a previous railroad right-of-way, it is included because it connects of other trails in Montgomery and Greene Counties that were previous rail lines. The Great Miami River Recreation Trail is also a vital part of downtown Dayton and will also be a connection to other rail-trails still under development.

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: The trail runs along the Great Miami River through downtown Dayton, Ohio. From Island MetroPark in the North, to the Stewart Street Bridge in the South, the trail is on both sides of the river. The trail extends North from Island MetroPark. to Sinclair Park on the East Side of the Stillwater River. From the Stewart Street Bridge South the trail is also on the East Bank of the Great Miami River to its current terminus at Crains Run MetroPark (since renamed to Crains Run Nature Park - Miami Township Parks). The trail is 22.6 miles long. Downtown at Deeds Point, where the Mad River joins the Great Miami River the Great Miami River Recreation Trail connects to the Mad River Recreation Trail.

Trail Detours and Construction Delays - Occasionally some construction will occur near the trail. When that happens information will be posted on the Miami Conservancy District website to inform you. The link above will take you there. Click on the [box] next to the yellow caution sign to see trail problems. I have also posted on the trail segments the current construction and detours (if available).

Map: I have several maps below that will help you. (Maps Courtesy Five Rivers MetroParks )
River North Map (199Kb)	This map show the trail from Sinclair Park in the North to the Stewart St. Bridge in Dayton.
River South Map (218 KB)	This map shows the trail south from the Stewart St. Bridge to West Carrollton
River South Map1 (355Kb)	This maps show the trail south from West Carrollton to Crains Run Nature Park
River Corridor Interests (88Kb)	Text of Points of Interest around the Great Miami River Recreation Trail
Great Miami River Recreation Trail Map (Online) - Please see the Miami Conservancy District's (MCD) new interactive on-line maps of the entire Great Miami River Recreation Trail. This includes the trail in Miami, Montgomery, Warren and Butler Counties. Best of all, you can zoom in on the area you wish to ride. I am told that this on-line map system is a "work in progress." MCD plans to improve it so that you can tell the system where you want to ride and you'll be able to print maps to order for Your Ride!
Five Rivers MetroParks Map - Please see Five Rivers MetroParks website for a map of the trails in Montgomery County

Park and Ride Locations: You can park your car at Sinclair Park, Wegerzyn Horticultural Center, Triangle Park, Island MetroPark, Kettering Field, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Carillon Historical Park, River Road Boat Ramp, K Station, West Carrollton Soccer Complex, Rice Field or Crains Run Nature Park, looking from North to South. There is a lot more information on each of the Five Rivers MetroParks at their web site.

Rest Rooms: Rest rooms are available at all of the locations mentioned above.

Horace M. Huffman, Jr. biked to work in the late 1930's from Oakwood to his father's bicycle factory on the east side of Dayton. But he inherited from the family business more than an appreciation for bicycling.

I've always like to build things with people, " he said, to "build organizations with lots of people working together towards a common goal." The organizations Huffman built have had a major influence on Miami Valley bicycling for more than 35 years.

While president of the Huffy Corporation, he was co-founder and first president of the Dayton Cycling Club in 1961. Four years later, he formed and led the Greater Dayton Bikeway Committee. Now known as the Miami Valley Regional Bicycle Council, the committee drafted on of the nation's first regional bikeway plans, which was adopted by the area's planning commission in 1973.

A key part of that plan was a trail along the Great Miami River. Huffman had gotten the idea around 1965 when he saw how Sacramento, California had struggled to acquire land for a path along the American River. He realized that Dayton had an ideal location for a bikeway, since the Miami Conservancy District already owned the land along the Great Miami River. The initial 8.2 miles of bikeway were dedicated at Dayton's First River Festival in 1976. Now the Horace M. Huffman, Jr. Great Miami River Recreation Trail has grown to 22.6 miles.

It was "Huffy" as his friends called him, who suggested that the MVRBC establish the "Thunder Road Bike-A-Thon, which has been the major source of funding for the organization and has helped area charities since 1978.

History	Surface
Route	Map
Park & Ride Locations	Restrooms
Island MetroPark North to Sinclair Park (Stillwater River Recreation Trail)	Construction Progress
Island MetroPark South to Stewart Street Bridge	Trail North from Island MetroPark to Taylorsville MetroPark
Stewart Street Bikeway (To University of Dayton)	Hotels, Motels, B&Bs and Campgrounds
Stewart Street Bridge South to Crains Run Nature Park	Mad River Recreation Trail connects to trail and travels East to Eastwood MetroPark, and Xenia Station
Trail South from Crains Run Nature Park to Butler County	Trail North into Miami County
Trail Detours and Construction Delays