Join Buckeye Trail volunteers, hikers, partners, and supporters for a weekend of hiking, learning, fellowship, recognition, and celebration of Ohio’s 1,400+ mile Buckeye Trail.
In 2026, TrailFest will take place from Thursday September 10 through Sunday September 13, at Salt Fork State Park and Lodge. This is a special event to be co-hosted by the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA), the North Country Trail Association (NCTA), and the Ohio Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA).
Staff and volunteers are working to deliver timely and accurate information on planned programming, lodging options, and registration information. Relevant information will be published on this page or shared directly with attendees prior to the event.
Volunteer to support TrailFest
Fill out the BTA Volunteer Application.
Register for TrailFest
Registration for TrailFest is now open! Reserve your spot today.
Register nowTrailFest 2026 Highlights
Thursday: Group Camp
Arrive early and enjoy an informal evening of camping, homemade chili, and fellowship around the campfire.
Friday: Buckeye / North Country Trail Mixer
Join us before dinner on Friday afternoon to meet and mingle with old friends, new hiking buddies, staff, Board Members, volunteer leaders, and partners.
Saturday: Hiker and Volunteer Awards
Celebrate hikers who completed major Buckeye Trail milestones during the past year and recognize the volunteers and partners whose work keeps the Buckeye Trail thriving.
Saturday: Presenters and Silent Auction
We’ve got great speakers lined up for TrailFest 2026 - more details to come!
Make sure to support the trail through unique items, experiences, and donated goods. The auction winners will be announced Saturday night.
Sunday: Annual Meeting
Help shape the future of the Buckeye Trail Association through reports, elections, and organizational updates.
All weekend: Group Hikes
Group hikes will be offered throughout the weekend, ranging from short excursions to full-day adventures, giving everyone an opportunity to experience a few miles of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.
Buckeye Trail Shop
Visit the TrailFest merchandise area for Buckeye Trail apparel, maps, patches, guidebooks, and commemorative items.
TrailFest Shirts
A t-shirt featuring the 2026 TrailFest logo will be available for purchase and delivery from the Buckeye Trail Shop prior to TrailFest as well as on-site with other great TrailFest and Buckeye Trail merch. We’ll keep you posted with updates!
Planning your visit
Event Details
Who: Everyone is invited! This is a partner event that will include hiking enthusiasts from the Buckeye Trail Association, North Country Trail Association, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia. Whether you’re brand new or a life long member, we’d love to see you there!
What: Annual Meeting and celebration of trails in Ohio
When: September 10 - 13, 2026
Where: Salt Fork State Park Lodge and Conference Center, 11073 Natural Resources 3 Road, Kimbolton, OH 43749
Accommodations
There are 2 options for lodging at Buckeye TrailFest 2026 for the whole weekend: camping or the Salt Fork State Park Lodge/Cottages.
Camping
Group Camp: We encourage you to register and join us as a group at the Salt Fork State Park Group Camp, located east of the main park entrance on Parker Road. Capacity is 100 campers. Group Camp is primitive, shaded, with fire rings, picnic tables, and outhouses.
Individual Campsites: Single sites may be booked through the State Park reservation system here. We cannot guarantee a spot will be available. The campground is expected to be fully booked through Buckeye TrailFest.
Lodging
Salt Fork Lodge offers double queen, king, family bunk rooms, and cottages. There will be a link to book your room will be included with your registration email confirmation. Rooms cannot be guaranteed after Friday August 7, 2026.
Food
Meals may be purchased individually, each day, or the full meal plan. If needed Salt Fork Lodge also has a full service restaurant and bar. Please note: Outside food is not permitted in the event space. However, picnic tables are available nearby for your use.
Thursday
6pm-8pm: Community chili dinner - Potluck sides and desserts encouraged
Trickle in to TrailFest at your leisure. Thursday dinner will be provided pot luck style, we’ll make enough homemade chili, with Cincinnati style options, for everyone. If you think you can make a better chili, sides, or dessert… bring it!
Friday
7:30am-8:30am: Breakfast
12pm-12:45: Box lunch
6pm-7:30pm: Dinner
Saturday
7:30am-8:30am: Breakfast
12pm-12:45: Box lunch
6:15pm-7:30pm: Dinner
Sunday
7:30am-8:30pm: Breakfast
Registration
BTA, NCTA, and ORCA members receive a $20 discount on event registration. On August 19th, Buckeye TrailFest registration will no longer be able to accept orders for meals or t-shirts. Walk-in registrations at TrailFest will start on September 10th, and no meal tickets will be available for purchase on-site! Meals must be purchased in advance.
Free Youth Registration!
Youth ages 17 and under may attend Buckeye TrailFest at no cost when accompanied by a chaperone. Please provide the names and ages for each youth below.
Before the Event
Register online to reserve your place and receive lodging information.
At TrailFest
Check-in begins Thursday afternoon and continues throughout the weekend.
- Thursday: 3pm-6pm
- Friday: 7am-6pm
- Saturday: 7am-6pm
Volunteers
If you are volunteering for 4 hours or more, your TrailFest registration for that day is free. Staying at the group camp that night is also free. Please sign up for your volunteer shift(s) through the Volgistics calendar - you do not need to complete the registration form for the day(s) you are volunteering unless you are just using it to purchase your meals.
If you plan to attend TrailFest on additional day(s) when you are not volunteering, please register for those day(s) using this form.
Special Events
Annual Meeting
The Buckeye Trail Association’s Annual Meeting brings members together to hear updates on the organization, elect Trustees, review accomplishments, and discuss priorities for the coming year.
The Buckeye Trail Association’s Annual Meeting is a testament to how we’ve grown in the last 67 years since 1959 when charter members of the BTA, along with numerous others, envisioned the future of the Buckeye Trail Association. We have much information to share with everyone.
Blue Blaze Society Gathering
The Blue Blaze Society is the Buckeye Trail Association’s giving circle recognizing donors who invest in the long-term future of the trail. Members and prospective members are invited to attend a special gathering featuring updates, recognition, and fellowship.
Membership Levels
Annual Membership: $500+
Lifetime Membership: $5,000+, qualifying real estate gift, or planned gift designation
The Annual Meeting will begin at 9am on September 13 and include a BTA member check-in and orientation, election of the BTA Board of Trustees, current financial status of the BTA, state of the Buckeye Trail, and other important items relevant to moment and the year ahead.
Please attend this important free membership meeting and cast your vote during the Board of Trustees elections to help shape the future of the BTA!
Hiker Recognition
Completing the 1,440+ mile Buckeye Trail is a remarkable accomplishment. Join us as we celebrate hikers who accomplished this feat during the past year.
Awards Ceremony
Volunteers and partners contribute thousands of hours each year to build, maintain, protect, and promote the Buckeye Trail. This ceremony recognizes their dedication and leadership.
Become a TrailFest Sponsor
BTF is the largest gathering of Buckeye Trail hikers, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts. It serves as a fundraiser for the Buckeye Trail Association to build, maintain, protect and promote the use of Ohio’s State Trail. We move the event around the state to highlight local portions of the trail and nearby communities.
Your contribution helps us do all that in a fun way.
Advertising Opportunities
Buckeye TrailFest would not be made possible without the kindness of our friends, members, and local business partners. We can’t say enough about their efforts to make this first event a success, so please let them how much you appreciate their generous support.
Partners allow us to provide a reasonably priced event to all participants. So thank you for believing in us! We appreciate your willingness to support the Buckeye Trail. We could not do this without you!
