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Delphos

Photo of the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Photo by David Harris.
Miles
46.5 total miles / 22.7 off-road miles (48.8%)
Section supervisor
David Harris
Contact
delphos@buckeyetrail.org
Paper map publication date
September 2016
Chapter
Miami and Erie Canal Chapter
Counties
Auglaize, Allen, Putnam, Paulding
Abutting Sections
St. Marys, Defiance
Trail Towns
Spencerville, Delphos
Trail alerts and map updates
See all
Page last updated
Mar 14, 2026

What to expect

The Delphos Section begins on the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal between the old canal and county Route-66A. Hikers quickly reach Deep Cut Park, a 6,600-foot-long, 50-foot-deep hand-dug cut, a remarkable feat of canal-era labor where workers earned just 30 cents per day plus a jigger of whiskey. The trail continues along the canal towpath through Spencerville and Delphos, passing Lock 24N at Stadium Park.

The northern half of this section transitions to county and township roads before ending in the town of Junction. This area also carries military history: In 1812, Col. William Jennings’ Kentucky riflemen cut a supply road from Fort Barbee at St. Marys toward Defiance, later extended by Col. Poague to Fort Winchester. The Auglaize River valley soon became a major artery for moving supplies to General Harrison’s army during the War of 1812.

Section news

Towns and villages on the trail

Spencerville, Kossuth, Fort Jennings, Delphos, Ottoville

Points of interest

Open Trail Adopter segments

  • Points 14 to 15 (off road)
  • Points 18 to 20 (on and off road)

Become a Trail Adopter →

Natural features and geography

  • Auglaize River valley landscapes
  • Agricultural countryside surrounding the canal route
  • Flat stretches punctuated by canal engineering works

Nearby emergency services

In life-threatening situations, call 911 throughout the Section. For other problems, call:

County State Highway Patrol Sheriff
Allen 419.228.2421 419.993.1400
Auglaize 419.738.8010 419.739.6565
Paulding 419.238.3055 419.399.3791
Putnam 419.228.2421 419.523.3208
Van Wert 419.238.3055 419.238.3866
Photo of the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Photo by Nancy Shepard. Photo of the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Photo by David Harris. Photo of the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Photo by Leslie Jordan. Photo of the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Photo by Rick Zimmerman.

Trail Alerts

Map Updates

Parking locations

  • Point 1: 0.2 miles east at Roadside Dog Park

  • Point 5: Across from pipe gate

  • Point 13: One spot along road at Canal

  • Point 16: East of Point along Main Street and several parking lots east of state Route 362 to Park Street.

  • Point 17: Fort Loramie State Park, numerous parking lots along state Route 362 

  • Point 20: Several parking lots on Cleveland Street across canal west between Third and Sixth Streets.

  • Point 20: Minster Community Park parking lot.

  • Point 21: Several parking lots along Canal Road, east across canal.

  • Point 21: Komminsk Park, parking lot on Main Street, west of canal.

  • Point 22: Komminsk Park, parking lot on Main Sreet, west of canal.

  • Point 22: Kuenning-Dicke Natural Area, parking lot west on Lock 2 west Road.

  • Point 25: KC Geiger Park, several parking lots.

  • Point 26: Large parking lot on Chestnut Street, east of entrance to Memorial Park.

  • Point 27: Large parking area across canal (bridge on lock) on Schillinger Rd.

Section resources

Camping locations

  • Point 4: Old Acadia Park is just north of North Street, and no trace camping is permitted with permission. Call the Spencerville Police at 419.647.4141 for permission.

  • Point 6: Lock 18 Shelter has a fire pit and a shed for wood (which may or may not be stocked). The shelter opening faces east to hopefully stave off the majority of blow in moisture during inclement weather and the back side is shaded and sheltered by trees to the west. Please note the trail is on the west side of the canal and the shelter is on the east side. There are some concrete pilings in the canal which may assist in keeping your feet dry while crossing during low water conditions. However, if the water level is high, a dry foot crossing may not be an option; please make sure you plan accordingly.

  • Point 8: Jennings Creek Aqueduct, A primitive campsite with no facilities is located just north of Pt 8 where the towpath ends at Jennings Creek.

  • Points 18-19: Hipp’s Lock Campsite, which can only be reached from Road 197, is a primitive campsite with no facilities.

  • Points 22-23: Viall’s Lock Campsite, located off of Road 163 in Paulding County, is a primitive campsite with no facilities.

Resupply locations

  • Shell Gas Station: 106 E. Fourth Street, Spencerville, Ohio 45887 

  • Marathon Gas Station (Spencerville Quick Stop): 202 N. Broadway St., Spencerville, Ohio 45887 

  • Niedeckens Carry-Out: 604 S. Main St., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • Speedway Gas Station: 202 S. Main St., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • Chief Supermarket: 1102 Elida Ave., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • Dollar Tree: 1102 Elida Ave., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • Family Dollar 1030 Elida Ave., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • Speedway: 238 W Fifth St., Delphos, Ohio 45833

  • IGA Foodline:r 150 Second St., Fort Jennings, Ohio 45844

  • Express Mart: 150 W. Canal St., Ottoville, Ohio 45876

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