Great Lakes - Ohio rail trail camping advice
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Dewbert
10-19-08, 04:02 PM
Hi folks--
I'm thinking about a late-spring 2009 camping trip with my 11 year old daughter. Any advice on campgrounds that can be reached by cycling 30-40 miles per day on (mostly) the trail system? I'm thinking we'll do a 2 or 3 night trip if we can figure out campgrounds and a route.
Thanks in advance!
About the only trail system in my area that is long enough for what you want to do is the Tow Path Trail that starts in the cuyahuga valley national park near Independance and runs down to Zoar. You can get info on it at the National Park service site. I don't know anything about adjacent camping areas. There is a hostile on the trail in Boston, called Stanford house.
Sorry I can't be of more help but maybe this will get you started on your search.
Another one to look into is the Little miami trail near Zenia, Ohio. Hugh trail system from what I've been told.
Sounds like a great ride idea, good luck!
half_bent
10-20-08, 12:07 AM
Hi folks--
I'm thinking about a late-spring 2009 camping trip with my 11 year old daughter. Any advice on campgrounds that can be reached by cycling 30-40 miles per day on (mostly) the trail system? I'm thinking we'll do a 2 or 3 night trip if we can figure out campgrounds and a route.
Thanks in advance!
As leinad said, the towpath trail would probably suit your needs. It is a crushed limestone trail most of the way and goes from just south of downtown Cleveland to Dover, almost 100 miles. Most of it is on trails with some segments of roads, most not too busy. There is the hostel around the Boston Mills area, and some private campgrounds along the way. Lots of history in the area. Here are some links:
http://ohiobikeways.net/ohiolistO-S.htm
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oetowpath/
http://www.ohioeriecanal.org/
I don,t think I would run road only tires on this path due to much of it comprised of packed limestone.Say 1" tires and up would work best.
Runs parallel next to the 150+yr old Ohio Locks and canals on your east with the Cuyahoga river on your west side.Deep breathtaking foliage in the fall and segments take you through woods.
The Winking Lizard Saloon is next to the trail at rt.303,which often disrupts my ride south.
colorado dale
11-02-08, 09:30 AM
check out john bryan state park near yellow springs for camping
this puts you in the middle of lots of biking trails
1 day you could go north on little miami to its end ( with an 11 yr old don't miss young's dairy which is perhaps 1/2 mile off the trail )
another day you can go south to xenia and then east cedarville trail or west on creekside trail
third day you can go south on little miami you'll have to turnaround before you run out of trail
all of these trails are paved
SW Ohio has a plethora of paved trails and lots of camping to boot.
Here's a link that has many of the local trails, and links to others around the state.
http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/miami.htm