Great Miami River Trail--Dye Mill Rd.

About this Location

The Great Miami River Recreational Trail offers 32 miles of bikeway along the Great Miami River through Miami County. The Trail provides the opportunity to enjoy nature while getting active.

This location offers convenient parking on the east side of Dye Mill Road, next to ConAgra Foods. Heading southwest along Dye Mill Road from the parking lot, several large ponds on both sides of the trail offer good views of ducks, geese, grebes, and loons during the winter (spotting scope recommended). Heading southeast from the parking lot, the trail passes through shrubby and wooded habitat, offering opportunities for observing a diversity of songbirds. A bridge crosses the Great Miami River, and then the trail splits, heading north along the Great Miami River and heading east through a shelter belt between agricultural fields. Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen from this trail.

About Great Miami River Trail

See all hotspots at Great Miami River Trail

The Great Miami River Trail runs for 75 miles and hugs the Great Miami River nearly the entire route. The route winds its way near museums, charming and historic downtowns, picnic facilities, acres of natural parkland, and over gently rolling terrain, a perfect match for the runner, skater, or cyclist.

The main section begins at the south end of Franklin and heads north to downtown Franklin. Be sure to stop just a block off the trail and take in the larger-than-life murals by Eric Henn. The trail travels north through Miamisburg, a block west of Miamisburg’s historic downtown. Other vibrant downtowns are ahead, starting in Dayton, with access to top-notch museums, numerous monuments, stadiums, and RiverScape, home of the Bike Hub, a bike-commuter support facility.

Tipp City, Troy, and Piqua in the north each overflow with beautiful architecture, charm, and a thriving downtown business district. Aviation history comes to life at Waco Airfield near Troy, with displays from the former airplane factory and a hangar full of historic planes.

Unique local eateries in these vibrant river towns will satisfy every taste – whether you want to cool down with a scoop of ice cream or refuel with a full meal. Ohio hometowns have their weekly farmer’s markets and annual festivals as well. But in downtown Dayton, there seems to be something to celebrate every weekend.

Among those destinations, the trail wanders its way along the Great Miami River’s beauty: through the heavily wooded Crains Run Park and Taylorsville MetroPark, past Taylorsville Dam and Tadmor Historic Site, and on to the Tipp Nature Center. Even as the trail runs through the cities, riders commonly view great blue heron, kingfisher, and other beautiful water-loving birds, along with signs of beaver, white-tailed deer, and a diverse set of fish and aquatic life.

Users of the 63 continuous miles between Franklin and Troy will enjoy a modern, off-street, paved multi-use trail. Trail designers make an effort to connect the trail to adjacent attractions and neighborhoods via ramps and bike stairs. Future plans include connecting the Middletown and Hamilton segments with the main section of the Great Miami River Trail north of Butler County.

Between Troy and Piqua, a short but challenging on-road route fills a gap until one more bridge over the Miami River gets built by 2016. This route follows the shoulder of County Road 25-A and then crosses the river on Peterson Road. The trail resumes from the parking lot of the Farrington Reserve and heads north to Piqua, goes through town, and ends near The Johnston Farm and Indian Agency.

The Great Miami River Trail is asphalt and wheelchair accessible.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Official Website, Great Miami River Trail Official Website, and Jeff Peters

Last updated February 14, 2023