Sinking Spring
- Miles
- 53.5 total miles / 21.6 off-road miles (40.4%)
- Section supervisor
- Angela Rhodes
- Contact
- sinkingspring@buckeyetrail.org
- Paper map publication date
- September 2013
- Chapter
- Appalachian Foothills Chapter
- Counties
- Pike, Highland, Adams
- Abutting Sections
- Scioto Trail, Shawnee
- Trail Towns
- Peebles
- Trail alerts and map updates
- See all
- Page last updated
- Mar 14, 2026
What to expect
The Sinking Spring Section offers a scenic and historically rich hike through southern Ohio. The route combines forest trails, historic earthworks, and rural road walking, passing through state forests, parks, and preserved archaeological sites.
Section news
Points of interest
- Pike State Forest and Pike Lake State Park
- Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve →
- Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks →
- Butler Springs Christian Camp (site of past Buckeye Trail Association Annual Meetings)
- Serpent Mound →
- Tolle Hill
- Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve →
- Mineral Springs Lake →
Open Trail Adopter segments
- Points 1 to 4 (off road)
- Points 4 to 7 (mix of on and off road)
- Points 7 to 8 (off road)
- Points 8 to 9 (partly off road)
- Points 11 to 12 (on road)
- Points 12 to 15 (off road)
- Points 15 to 16 (on road)
- Points 16 to 17 (off road)
- Points 17 to 25 (on road)
- Points 25 to 26 (off road)
- Points 26 to 27 (on road)
Towns and villages on the trail
Peebles, Sinking Spring
Natural features and geography
- Unglaciated Appalachian Plateau
- Forested hills and ridges
- Archaeological earthworks
- Scenic lake and stream corridors
Nearby emergency services
In life-threatening situations, call 911 throughout the Section. For other problems, call:
| County | State Highway Patrol | Sheriff |
|---|---|---|
| Hocking | 740.593.6611 | 740.385.2131 |
| Pike | 740.775.7770 | 740.947.2111 |
| Ross | 740.775.7770 | 740.773.1186 |
| Vinton | 740.286.4141 | 740.596.5242 |
Trail Alerts
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Detour
This update applies to all BTA map products. Trail Alert in Sinking Spring Section Points 13-15. … Read more
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Aggressive Dogs
Andrew Bashaw, BTA Executive Director, has issued this alert for the Sinking Spring Section between … Read more
Map Updates
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Sinking Spring Map Update of Camping near Point 18
Pt. 18 Horner Chapel Rd at Entrance into Private Property Additional information is being provided … Read more
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Updated Description
This map update applies to the 2013 printed map for the Sinking Spring Section, and the 2024 … Read more
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Minor Change
This trail change applies to the Sinking Spring map edition published September 2013. Note that a … Read more
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Trail Change and Updated Description
This trail change applies to the Sinking Spring map edition published September 2013. The change … Read more
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Map and Camping Facility Updates
This map update addresses two issues in the September 2013 Sinking Springs map edition: A road on … Read more
Parking locations
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Point 3: Rock Garden Trailhead has a primitive grass parking lot without defined spaces.
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Point 4: Fire Tower Road Pull-Off offers a day use parking area with 3 spaces. Be sure not to block the gate.
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Point 8: The Pike State Forest Trailhead-Turner Hill Road has a day use parking area with 6 spaces.
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Point 11: Pike State Forest Parking Area 3 has a gated day use parking area with 3 spaces.
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Point 18: Serpent Mound State Memorial has a day use parking area with 139 spaces. Parking costs $8 per vehicle.
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Point 20: Tranquility Wildlife Area Parking 3 features a day use parking area with 5 spaces.
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Point 20: Tranquility Wildlife Area Parking 3 has a day use parking area with 4 spaces.
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Point 21: Tranquility Wildlife Area has a day use parking area with 8 spaces.
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Point 21: Tranquility Wildlife Area Parking 2 features a day use parking area with 6 spaces.
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Point 23: Peebles Community Park’s day use parking area offers 25 spaces, (and a portable toilet), as well as street-side parking.
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Point 24: Shoemaker State Nature Preserve Trailhead has a day use parking area with 4 spaces.
Resupply locations
- Coming soon
Camping locations
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Point 1: Pike Lake State Park, south of the dam, offers family camping with 112 sites. Heated cabins are also available by reservation. Fee for camping.
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Point 3: LB Campground is west on Greenbriar Road and has seasonal camping for a fee. Call 740.493.2470 for more info.
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Point 6: Western Local School District offers camping sites; email nhamilton@westernlocalschools.com for more details.
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Point 11: Heading south from Cave Lake Park is a side trail marked with white blazes; travel 1.3 miles to get to the Cave Lake Park Office.
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Point 13: Butler Springs Christian Camp & Retreat Center is located nearby.
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Point 18: Andy Jones Shelter is operated by the McKenzies. Hikers should call them at 937.587.3953 about 24 hours before arrival at the site.
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Point 20: Learn more about Long's Retreat Family Resort
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Point 22: Goodseed Farm offers backpacker facilities.
