St. Marys
- Miles
- 48.27 total miles / 31.76 off-road miles (65.8%)
- Section supervisor
- Christina Bergman
- Contact
- stmarys@buckeyetrail.org
- Paper map publication date
- December 2024
- Chapter
- Miami and Erie Canal Chapter
- Counties
- Miami, Shelby, Auglaize
- Abutting Sections
- Troy, Delphos
- Trail Towns
- Fort Loramie, St. Marys
- Trail alerts and map updates
- See all
- Page last updated
- Mar 25, 2026
What to expect
This section follows the historic Miami and Erie Canal for nearly its entire length. Built in the 1830s to connect the Ohio River with Lake Erie, the canal defines the trail experience here. Hikers pass many original canal locks, walk the towpath, and visit historic canal towns that still carry the imprint of Ohio’s canal era.
Section news
Points of interest
- Historic Miami and Erie Canal (built 1830s)
- Original canal locks and towpath remnants (including Lockington Locks north of Piqua at state Route 66 and Hardin Road)
- Canal-era towns: Fort Loramie, Minster, New Bremen, St. Marys, and Kossuth (section’s northern terminus)
- Downtown St. Marys, Ohio: shops, restaurants, Trail Town designation in 2021
- Lake Loramie State Park: historic feeder lake, boating, camping, archaeology sites
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park: manmade reservoir, recreational hub
- Loramie Summit, high point of the Miami-Erie Canal
- Lock One in New Bremen marks the start of the Miami Extension Canal (1845)
Open Trail Adopter segments
- Points 6 to 8 (on road)
- Points 10 to 11 (on road)
- Points 11 to 12.5 (on road)
- Points 14 to 15 (on road)
- Points 18 to 21 (off road)
- Point 26 to 28 (off road)
Natural features and geography
- St. Marys River (historic Native American travel corridor)
- Loramie Creek (tributary of the Great Miami River)
- Grand Lake St. Marys (once the world’s largest manmade reservoir)
- Lake Loramie (feeder lake for the Miami and Erie Canal)
- Flat glacial till plains and fertile agricultural land
Riparian woodlands and wetlands along rivers and canals
Towns and villages on the trail
Newport, Minster, New Bremen, St. Marys, Kossuth
Nearby emergency services
In life-threatening situations, call 911 throughout the Section. For other problems, call:
| County | State Highway Patrol | Sheriff |
|---|---|---|
| Auglaize | 419.738.8010 | 419.739.6565 |
| Miami | 937.773.1131 | 937.440.6085 |
| Shelby | 937.773.1131 | 937.498.1111 |
Trail Alerts
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Canal Towpath Trail Upgrades
This trail alert applies to all BTA map products. It affects the Buckeye Trail (BT) from Points … Read more
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Parking Alert
This Trail Alert applies to all BTA mapping products. Once again, it has been called to our … Read more
Map Updates
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St Marys Map Update - New Parking Pt 6
Pt 6 Stangel Rd (T24) at Hardin-Wapak Rd (C20) Washington Township is allowing BT hikers to park at … Read more
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Map Correction
While reviewing the different section maps, an error was found in the St Marys map at Point 13. … Read more
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Major Route Corrections and Updated Log
A new edition of the printed St Marys map has been published and is available to order from the … Read more
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Map Correction
A hiker has brought to our attention that the information on the St Marys map dated March 2014 for … Read more
Parking locations
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Point 1: 0.2mi E at Roadside Dog Park
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Point 5: Across from pipe gate
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Point 6: At Washington Township property on south side of this intersection. Park in parking area towards the east side of the propert. NO parking on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Day use only, 2-3 spaces.
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Point 13: One spot along road at Canal
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Point 16: East of Point along Main St and several parking lots east of State Route 362 to Park Street.
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Point 17: Fort Loramie State Park, numerous parking lots along State Route 362
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Point 20: Several parking lots on Cleveland St across canal west between 3rd and 6th Streets.
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Point 20: Minster Community Park parking lot.
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Point 21: Several parking lots along Canal Road, east across canal.
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Point 21: Komminsk Park, parking lot on Main Street, west of canal.
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Point 22: Komminsk Park, parking lot on Main Sreet, west of canal.
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Point 22: Kuenning-Dicke Natural Area, parking lot west on Lock 2 west Road.
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Point 25: KC Geiger Park, several parking lots.
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Point 26: Large parking lot on Chestnut Street, east of entrance to Memorial Park.
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Point 27: Large parking area across canal (bridge on lock) on Schillinger Rd.
Camping locations
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Point 2: Two sites are managed by the Buckeye Trail Association and located in the Miami Conservancy District’s Lockington Reservation. A one-night permit is required for use of the designated Buckeye Trail campsites. Be aware that these campsites are located within the floodplain of the Lockington Reservation and may be closed due to flooding. These campsites are for backpackers only; no vehicle parking is available. Each adult over 18 years of age must fill out an individual permit form, which can be found Here.
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Point 17: Fort Loramie State Park has walk-in sites available year round for a fee. Call the park office at 937.295.2011 or the camp office at 937.295.3900.
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Point 26: To get to St. Marys State Park, located 3.5 miles to the west, go west on High Street, then north on Wayne Street and then west on Jackson Street.
Resupply locations
- Details coming soon.
