Join us for the 2024 Buckeye Trail (BT) Blue Blaze Festival and explore the diversity and beauty of the outdoors in the Wayne National Forest. This year we will be joining forces with Destination Shawnee, the Ohio Environmental Council and outdoor recreational organizations to bring together runners, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to the Village of Shawnee.
There will be five options for a distance and trail experience right for you: Half Marathon, 10K, 5K run/walk, 8 Mile Hike and an overnight Backpacking trek. All events are on the Buckeye Trail in the Wayne National Forest.
Information: Visit the Blue Blaze Festival page for additional information.
Registration is Open: Visit the Registration page to register.
For look ahead for TrailFest 2025, visit our TrailFest website.
The recent Omnibus Bill that was passed by the 117th U.S. Congress in December included the Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Acts of 2021 and 2022. Passage of this bill will begin the process of conducting a feasibility study of the Buckeye Trail for possible designation as a National Scenic Trail. The federal agency that will be conducting this study will likely be under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
For additional information, contact Steve Walker at
Several years ago the BTA provided a pamphlet to assist avid birders with finding good locations along the BT to view a variety of birds. Ohio is part of a large migratory route with many species pausing here on their trek. The pamphlet is updated and once again available as a download. Winter birds are here and Spring is coming so this is a great time to plan your hikes.
Downlaod the updated BTA eBirding pamphlet.
The 50+5 Challenge was created in celebration of the Ohio Legislature’s Year of the Trails and the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act in 2018. In 2024, the 65th Anniversary of the Buckeye Trail and Buckeye Trail Association, we again invite Ohioans to challenge themselves to hike 50 miles on Ohio's 1,400+ mile BT and give back 5 volunteer hours to the trail we love. .
50+5 Hiker-Volunteers that complete the challenge and register their volunteer hours will receive a congratulatory packet including a certificate of completion, a 50 mile hiking patch, and a Buckeye Trail Association 5 hour volunteer patch to commemorate their accomplishment.
All the details are on our 50+5 Challenge page.
The known events for 2024 are now listed on the events page.
There is a lot of great news coming for the BT just around the bend, but we need your support today to help us continue our important work, for you, and for all Buckeyes. If you can, please take that next step and donate today to support the Buckeye Trail Association. Above All, Thank You for Hiking!
Visit the Events page for hiking information.
Visit the Membership page for membership benefits information.
Click on this Join link to join the BTA by credit card online.
Visit the Get Involved page for information on volunteer opportunities.
Visit our Donate page for additional information.
Download the latest donation appeal letter .
Click on this Donate link to make a donation by credit card online.
The BT 101 Video is now available as a YouTube video. You may see the video at this link: https://youtu.be/1z_6bSX2Hdw
BTA's Strategic Plan has been in the development stages since 2017 and the now completed plan called BTA 2025 will provide guidance to take the BTA forward for the next 5 years. The Executive Summary of this plan is now available BTA 2025 for download. Note: It is a large file.
Some of our past Trailblazer issues are available online, including the very first issue published in 1968! We've come along ways in 60 years! Check them out on our Trailblazer page
Are you looking for ways to help? Our goal is to find you a volunteer position worthy of your unique talents, and one that excites and inspires you. For more information on available opportunities, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at
or register in the Volunteer Portal and you will be notified of opportunities. Remember that signing up in the software does not sign you up for any job, it just allows you to see opportunities. Register as a volunteer now!
We thank you all of our remarkable volunteers. Some of this work is perhaps not as glamorous as making a trail from a path in the woods, but it is rewarding and vital to the success of the Buckeye Trail. THANKS.