WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 2,2022 – Today, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced legislation to authorize a feasibility study to determine if the Buckeye Trail – a more than 1,400 mile trail that circles the state of Ohio – is eligible to be designated as part of the National Scenic Trails System.
“The Buckeye Trail is one of Ohio’s great treasures – extending across Ohio from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, from the farmland of northwest Ohio, to the hills of Appalachia and the Bluegrass region of southwest Ohio,” said Brown. “Establishing it as a National Scenic Trail and giving it national recognition will support our tourism economy and help maintain the trail for families across our state.”
“The Buckeye Trail provides Ohioans from all across the state access to world-class outdoor recreation, whether it is in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Hocking Hills region, my home in Cincinnati, or in Northwestern Ohio,” said Portman. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to see if the Buckeye Trail is eligible to become a National Scenic Trail, so that we may encourage Ohioans and Americans across the country to experience the beauty Ohio has to offer.”
“The Buckeye Trail Association enthusiastically supports The Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Act of 2022. Ohio’s Buckeye Trail maximizes outdoor recreation potential and conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, and cultural qualities by physically connecting, highlighting, and stewarding sites around the Buckeye State in one unified trail experience. The Buckeye Trail is inspiring and deserving of national consideration. We are pleased that Senators Portman and Brown have been inspired by the trail in their backyards that connects their constituents to the rest of the Buckeye State, and the National Trail System, to elevate Ohio’s treasure for consideration,” said Andrew Bashaw, Executive Director, Buckeye Trail Association.
The Buckeye Trail is located entirely within Ohio. The first 20 miles of the trail were dedicated in 1959 in Hocking County, and the trail was completed in 1980. The trail touches 42 of Ohio’s 88 counties, looping around the entire state and is Ohio’s longest hiking trail. Each year, the Buckeye Trail welcomes more than four million visitors in the Hocking Hills region and an additional million visitors in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.