Landscapes · Burton
Headlands / northeast Ohio glacial country
MI ≈14.2 · ≈1,132 ft
Rolling glacial terrain and old settlements
Walk-UpThru-Hike
Buckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit) Permit
A 1,400+ mile loop that circles Ohio, crossing 47 counties on a mix of federal, state, county and private land. No single permit covers the loop; individual campgrounds along the way charge their own fees.
“A 1,400+ mile loop that circles the entire state of Ohio.”
Plan your Buckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit) Permit trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Buckeye Trail Circuit
No single Buckeye Trail permit exists. It is a 1,400+ mile loop on a mix of federal, state, county and private land, each with its own camping rules; most sections need nothing at all.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Buckeye Trail Circuit permit season
- route distance, loop
- 1440mi
Buckeye Trail Circuit elevation profile
Massillon, Ohio to Smyrna
Landmark
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Boston Mill / Towpath Trail crossing)
The Buckeye Trail's northern and southern segments through the park total about 28 miles combined; no camping is allowed inside the park boundary.
Buckeye Trail Circuit landmarks
Map of the Buckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit), Massillon, Ohio to Bedford Reservation / Tinkers Creek Gorge
2 of 2 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Buckeye Trail Circuit permit
As of September 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for Buckeye Trail Circuit in Buckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit) Permit, Ohio. Buckeye Trail Circuit rates 2/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Buckeye Trail Circuit route covers 1440 miles, rated moderate.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Entire state of Ohio, 47 counties, OH
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →More on Buckeye Trail Circuit: Live availability activityBuckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit) permit itinerary
How much a Buckeye Trail Circuit permit costs
Buckeye Trail Circuit permit fee: Free to hike; individual campgrounds along the route charge their own fees.
The Buckeye Trail Circuit hike
- Distance
- 1440 miles
- Route Type
- Loop
- Duration
- 3-4 months for a continuous thru-hike
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A 1,400+ mile loop that circles the entire state of Ohio.
About this permit
A 1,400+ mile loop that circles Ohio, crossing 47 counties on a mix of federal, state, county and private land. No single permit covers the loop; individual campgrounds along the way charge their own fees.
The route
From Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Boston Mill / Towpath Trail crossing), the route passes Akron, Ohio, Massillon, Ohio, Hartville, Ohio, Shawnee, Ohio, Nimisilla Lake, before finishing at Dayton, Ohio.
Why it matters
The Buckeye Trail Association built the loop to link Ohio's state forests, parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park into one continuous circuit, entirely within a single state.
How hard the Buckeye Trail Circuit hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Buckeye Trail Circuit
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Day 4: Wind gusts to 40mph. Secure tent, avoid exposed ridges.
- Day 4: 69% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
⛅
75°
52°
Wed
☁️
77°
52°
Thu
☁️
80°
62°
Fri
🌧️
71°
55°
69%
Sat
☀️
68°
49°
21%
Sun
☁️
70°
52°
30%
Mon
☁️
60°
47°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Buckeye Trail Circuit rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01No single Buckeye Trail permit exists. It is a 1,400+ mile loop on a mix of federal, state, county and private land, each with its own camping rules; most sections need nothing at all.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Buckeye Trail Circuit.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Buckeye Trail Circuit · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Buckeye Trail Circuit FAQ
Do I need a permit for a Buckeye Trail thru-hike?
No single permit covers the whole loop. The Buckeye Trail crosses federal land, state parks and forests, county parks, and private land across 47 Ohio counties, and each has its own camping rules rather than one shared permit.
Can I camp inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the Buckeye Trail?
No. The National Park Service is direct: 'No camping is permitted in the national park,' and backcountry camping or overnight parking-lot stays are both prohibited. About 28 miles of the Buckeye Trail run through the park, so plan to camp at one of the campgrounds outside the boundary instead.
How long is the Buckeye Trail?
The Buckeye Trail Association describes it as '1,400+ miles' forming a continuous loop around the state, making it the longest loop hiking trail in the country.
Is the Buckeye Trail a loop or a point-to-point trail?
It is a full loop: the Buckeye Trail Association's own words are 'a 1,400+ mile continuous loop that showcases Ohio's natural beauty.' You can start anywhere on the circuit and hike it in either direction.
How many sections is the Buckeye Trail divided into?
26 official Sections, each with its own Buckeye Trail Association map using a system of numbered Points and Segments so hikers can track progress section by section rather than only as one continuous thru-hike.
How long does a Buckeye Trail thru-hike take?
A full continuous thru-hike typically takes three to four months, though most people who complete the whole loop do it as a circuit hike over multiple trips rather than in one push.
Where can I camp along the Buckeye Trail?
The Buckeye Trail Association's own guidance is to use designated sites, state parks, and private campgrounds along the route. Camping is not permitted everywhere, so plan each night's stop before you set out.
Buckeye Trail Circuit trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Buckeye Trail Circuit permit
Where to stay near Buckeye Trail Circuit
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park Picnic SheltersCuyahoga Valley National Park
- West Branch State Park West Branch Dock 09 campgroundWest Branch State Park
- Salt Fork State Park Salt Fork J Dock campgroundSalt Fork State Park
- All Ohio campgrounds
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