Burton
- Miles
- 61.3 total miles / 37.9 off-road miles (61.2%)
- Section supervisor
- Tim Murphy
- Contact
- burton@buckeyetrail.org, 440.728.1662
- Paper map publication date
- March 2018
- Chapter
- Crooked River Chapter
- Counties
- Lake, Geauga, Portage
- Abutting Sections
- Bedford, Mogadore
- Trail Towns
- Chardon
- Trail alerts and map updates
- See all
- Page last updated
- Aug 5, 2026
What to expect
The Burton Section begins at the northern terminus of the Buckeye Trail in Headlands Beach State Park on Lake Erie and travels south through a mix of parkland, rail trails, small towns, and rural landscapes. The route climbs steadily from the Lake Erie shore toward the Appalachian escarpment, passing through a variety of natural areas and historic communities before ending near the headwaters of the Cuyahoga River.
Section news
Towns and villages on the trail
Grand River, Painesville, Chardon, Hiram
Points of interest
- Headlands Beach State Park →
- Rider’s Inn: Underground Railroad site
- Lake County Metroparks Greenway →
- Girdled Road Reservation →
- Big Creek Park
- Burton Village Square and Century Village Museum →
- Hiram Rapids on the Cuyahoga River
Open Trail Adopter segments
- Details coming soon.
Natural features and geography
- Lake Erie shoreline
- Low Appalachian escarpment
- Headwaters of the Cuyahoga River
- Forested parklands and river corridors
Nearby emergency services
In life-threatening situations, call 911 throughout the Section. For other problems, call:
| County | State Highway Patrol | Sheriff |
|---|---|---|
| Geauga | 440.286.6612 | 440.279.2064 |
| Lake | 440.286.6612 | 440.350.5517 |
| Portage | 330.297.1441 | 330.678.7012 |
Trail Alerts
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Burton Trail Alert Pt 9 -11
August 31, 2026 Updated Burton Trail Alert Pt 8: Girdled Rd at North Entrance to LMP Girdled Road … Read more
Map Updates
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Burton Map Update Pt 23 -Pt 24 Parking Area
August 9, 2026 Burton Map Update New Parking Location between Pt 23 and 24. Pt 23: The Sugar House … Read more
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Burton Map Update Pt. 23 - 24
August 4, 2026 Burton Map Update Pt 23: The Sugar House on Burton Square to Pt 24: BT at Rapids Rd … Read more
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Burton Map Update - Hiram
Burton Map Update - Hiram Pts 28 Ballpark at Allyn Rd (C281) and Winchell Rd (T264) to Pt 30 … Read more
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Parking Update
Point 32 Headwaters Trail at Asbury Rd (T223). This map update provides information on a parking … Read more
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Major Reroute
This material updates the Burton Map, Edition of March 2018 as well as earlier printed maps, and … Read more
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Map Correction
This update applies to the Burton Section Map Edition of April 2011 or earlier. Thanks to one of … Read more
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Major Reroute
This update applies to Burton Section Maps printed prior to October 2016. Section Co-Supervisors … Read more
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Major Reroute
This information updates the April 2011 printed Burton Section Map. Co-Section Supervisors Jan Geho … Read more
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Major Changes to Trail Log
This update to the Burton Section applies to map editions printed before September 2016. This … Read more
Parking locations
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Point 1: Headlands Beach State Park has a day use parking area with over 100 spaces. There is also a concession stand, swimming area, playground, restroom, and more.
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Point 4: Johnny Cake Ridge Road Parking Area. This day use parking area has 24 spaces, water, and toilets across the road.
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Point 5: Stone School Trailhead. This trailhead also has a day use parking area with 22 spaces and restrooms.
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Point 5: Environmental Learning Center has a day use parking area with 59 spaces and a portable toilet.
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Point 9: Skok Meadow has a day use parking area with 38 spaces.
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Point 11: Donald W. Meyer Nature Center’s Big Creek Park offers a day use parking area.
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Point 14: Maple Highland Trailhead at Ravenna Road offers day use parking.
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Point 18: Mountain Run Station’s parking area is available for day use parking and has 92 spaces, water, and restrooms.
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Point 21: Maple Highlands Trail Overflow Parking Area provides day use parking with 20 spaces.
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Point 21: Welton’s Gorge Parking Area has 20 spaces (no handicap parking spots).
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Point 25: Eldon Russell Park has a day use parking area.
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Point 26: Rapids Road at Greystone Drive has a day use parking area.
Section resources
Camping locations
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Point 10: Girdled Road Reservation Campsite. Primitive camping for Buckeye Trail hikers is available in Girdled Road Reservation. Campers must request a permit at least 48 hours in advance. There is no charge for the use of this site. Call 440.358.7275 for information. For location and map to campsite, visit lakemetroparks.com
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Point 11: Geauga Park District offers camping either on tent sites or in Adirondack shelters at both the Big Creek Park Shelters and Headwaters Reservations. Campsites must be reserved online at least seven days prior to the reservation or by phone before 4 p.m. the day of the reservation, as walk-up/first-come-first-served camping is no longer permitted. Make a reservation at geaugaparkdistrict.org.
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Point 20: Headwaters Reservation, see information above for Big Creek Park Shelters.
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Point 24: Punderson State Park has a range of accommodations, including resort lodging, cabins, and a campground with full hookup, electric, and non-electric campsites. Reservations required. More at ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/punderson-state-park.
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Point 27: Canoe Livery: Camp Hi Canoe and Kayak. Go south on Abbott Road 0.8 miles from its intersection with Alpha Road. Primitive camping is available for a fee, April through October. Contact the livery at 330.569.7621, and email for reservations and information year-round at info@camphicanoe.com
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Point 30: Camp Asbury. Advance permission required. Because they operate a youth camp during June and July, restrictions may apply. Contact the camp in advance by email at info@campasbury.org
Resupply locations
- Details coming soon
