New bridge and primitive camps energize the Troy Section in Dayton

Dayton’s Deeds Point Bridge and MetroParks campsites connect hikers to trails, history, and community

After an exceedingly long and difficult cocoon period caused by COVID-19, the restless, bountiful Buckeye Trail (BT) butterfly hikers spent the summer of 2021 trying out their new wings by hitting the trails with a vengeance. Just in time for the fulfillment of the hikers’ pent-up desire to explore the outdoors, came some exciting repairs and improvements to the BT in the Troy Section.

The formal dedication of the new Deeds Point Pedestrian Bridge, which connects the RiverScape MetroPark in Downtown Dayton to Deeds Point MetroPark, was held on Monday, June 28, 2021. The original steel bridge, opened in 2003, was closed in 2019 due to interior corrosion caused by the spray from the Five Rivers Fountains, with one fountain just feet from the bridge. The new sturdy, $2.8 million dollar aluminum bridge has an estimated life span of 75 years. Deeds Point Pedestrian Bridge over the Mad River, at the confluence of the Mad and Great Miami Rivers, is strategically located just north of downtown Dayton. It connects more than 350 miles of trails in the Dayton area near the epicenter of the nation’s largest paved trail network. Many trails use the bridge, including the Great Miami River Trail, North Country Trail, Great American Rail-Trail, and - of course - the Buckeye Trail. The new bridge was made possible by partnerships with the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, and other organizations. Five Rivers MetroParks is a key part of the picture, and they are incredibly supportive of the BT. In fact, members of the MetroParks staff are also “adopters” of the BT. They have taken on the duties of maintaining the 20+ miles of the BT that tracks through Montgomery County and five MetroParks.

As you hike the five miles of the BT clockwise from Eastwood MetroPark to Deeds Point MetroPark, you will be following the trail along the Mad River. An amazing mixture of wildlife and urban structures that pours into the heart of Dayton. As you zig-zag your way up to the Deeds Point Pedestrian Bridge, remember, you are but a couple minutes walk to downtown Dayton that is a hotbed of new growth. If your timing is right, you may find the Fountains in full arching water flow over the river, or New Bridge and Camps in Troy Section By John M. Smilek, Troy Section Supervisor with a little planning, you can watch a baseball game at the Cincinnati Reds, Upper “A” Division Dayton Dragons field just over the levy from the BT. There are also new hotels within walking distance of the BT a block or so from Deeds Bridge. Though some of you may enjoy the comforts of hotels, others (especially backpacking thru-hikers) would appreciate a safe and legal place to make camp. Well, that is the second bit of exciting news!!!!

Fiver Rivers MetroPark: a great partner

Thanks to the foresight, and effort of the Five Rivers MetroPark staff, three new primitive campsites are now open in conjunction with the new Bridge. The camps are located in the aforementioned Eastwood MetroPark at Troy Section Pt 4, Island MetroPark Pt 6, and Taylorsville MetroPark Pt 9. All three primitive campsites have no water fountains, shelter, or fire pits, but are just a few yards from the BT and very close to either the Mad or Great Miami Rivers with plenty of shade. There are covered picnic areas, stands for cooking, water fountains and bathroom facilities close by. Each campsite can only be reserved by one group at a time for up to two days. The group can have, at max, two tents and six persons. The idea is to minimize the impact on nature as much as possible, while giving the backpackers a convenient place to camp to support their journey.

Registration details

It is easy to register. Go to the Five Rivers MetroParks website at metroparks.org, click on “Rentals and Permits” at the top center of the page, and then click on “Campsites”. Here, you will find a map with the location of all the campsites in the MetroParks and a list of the sites. Scroll to the bottom and find the three new camps. Next to each camp you will find a “View Details” button that will give you more information about the specific camp and a detailed map showing its exact location. A second button titled “Reserve Now” will open up a calendar listing dates the camp is available. Once you choose your dates, an electronic form will open up, fill it out and pay the fee, which is a very reasonable $5 during peak season and $3 during offpeak per night. The campsites are available all year round. The person reserving the site will receive the permit digitally. Each site can be reserved up to a year in advance or, for those with a more fluid schedule, you can use a mobile device after arriving at the campsite to reserve the site on the day you want to camp, if it is available.

An introduction to backpacking

For those interested in backpacking the BT and are thinking of a trial hike, the campsites are an excellent first adventure into backpacking. The local terrain is relatively flat, there are areas of supply close by and tons to see. You could hike into Eastwood, then Island camp is about 5 miles down the trail and Taylorsville another 9 miles past Island. By utilizing one, two or all three camps, you have multiple options—all off road! As a bonus, the Eastwood MetroPark campsite is just less than a 30-minute hike counterclockwise on the BT to the National Museum of the US Air Force, an amazing jewel that attracts visitors from around the world. And it’s just across the street from the BT! The tour of the museum is an excellent “Zero Day” activity for thru-hikers.

Start planning your hike or backpacking adventure on the Troy Section. Spread those BT butterfly wings and come enjoy the new Deeds Point Bridge, the campsites and all the other amenities to be found in the Greater Dayton Region, the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. See you on the trail!