Creekside Trail

This 15-mile paved trail cuts a swift route from Xenia to Dayton, passing a variety of sites, including drag racetracks and quiet museums. If you want more trail options, start at the Train Depot in Xenia, where the Little Miami Scenic Trail, the Prairie Grass Trail and the Creekside Trail converge. The Creekside Trail used to be called the "H" Connector because of its shape as a link between the Greene County Trail (Little Miami) and Montgomery County Trail (Mad River).

To follow the Creekside Trail from Xenia Station, a restored railroad depot, head north, crossing Cincinnati Avenue, Second Street and Main Street—the latter very busy, so use caution. If you're interested in a longer trip, you can add a 10-mile side trip to Yellow Springs along the Little Miami Scenic Trail; take Market Street east and follow the signs.

On the Creekside Trail, crossing Market Street makes all the difference. Here you enter a world filled with nature. Shawnee Creek flows along the north side of the trail. At Towler Road you can see the entrance to Sol Arnovitz Park, which offers some parking spaces but no other services. About 1 mile from Xenia Station you reach the James Ranch Spur. This trail heads less than a mile east to the Fairgrounds Recreation Center and Mullins Pool. Before you have traveled 3 miles, be prepared for a shift in your surroundings. The entrance of Kil-Kare Dragway abuts the trail. On race days it is loud and the fragrance of hot rubber fills the air.

Continuing west you reach the William Maxwell Rest Area in Beavercreek Township. Named for the area's first publisher, this park offers a covered picnic table and a nice marble monument to Maxwell. A bridge over the Little Miami River, about 4 miles from the start, has overlooks at each end that offer beautiful views of the river and its banks in both directions.

At mile 6 there is a spur into Beavercreek Community Park, which has restrooms, water and parking facilities. Staying on the trail you find larger Nutter Park, across Factory Road and home to five baseball diamonds, as well as more restrooms, water and parking. During games the concessions stands are open and offer trail users an opportunity to stop for refreshments.

At mile 9.5 you reach Fifth Third Gateway Park, which has parking, gardens and other amenities, including restrooms. The trail crosses Interstate 675 and into Montgomery County via an impressive 465-foot restored railroad overpass. When you hit a T-junction turn right to continue to the trail's end in Eastwood Park. You cross Burkhardt Road and then busy Airway Road. On your right are the huge, shining silver hangers of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The trail winds down in a serene setting—you would never guess that you are minutes from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and downtown Dayton.

To reach the Xenia Station trailhead from US 35, take State Route 380 north for 1.25 miles. Turn left onto South Miami Avenue and look for the restored depot on the right.

To reach the Eastwood Park trailhead in Dayton from US 35 (between Interstates 675 and 75), follow Wright Brothers Parkway north for 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Springfield Street and look for Eastwood MetroPark on the right.