Wolf Creek Recreation Trail

The Wolf Creek Recreation Trail northwest of Dayton is a well-maintained asphalt trail stretching 13 miles between Trotwood in Montgomery County and Verona in Preble County. Reflecting the nature of the densely settled areas, there are many street crossings. However, the trail redeems itself, passing through spacious expanses of cornfields and pasture. The Trotwood Depot, with historical exhibits, an information kiosk and restored railroad cabooses, is a good place to kick off your adventure. There is a bus stop in front of this old railroad station, a convenience for bike and bus commuters.

Traveling northwest from the depot, you cross Broadway then Main Street, reaching the trail—and several more road crossings—after a short stretch of sidewalk. Houses and apartments backing up to the trail soon give way to cornfields. At Snyder Road you will see an entrance to Sycamore State Park. The park has miles of hiking and bridle trails under canopies of giant sycamore trees. A strip of wildflowers decorates the trail just before the Air Hill Rest Area. You can nestle your bike into the racks here and settle yourself into a bench to rest up for two tricky road crossings ahead.

At Shiloh Springs Road and Diamond Mills Road, sight lines are tight and there are no crosswalks. Traffic is minimal here, but be cautious nonetheless. Busy Westbrook Road signals your arrival in Brookville, a sleepy town of 5,200. You pass a skateboard park and Brookville Station. A real gem in Brookville is Golden Gate Park, with picnic shelters and a kids' park that resembles a scaled-down castle and even hosts the local theatre productions.

An underpass at Interstate 70 returns you to farmland for the trail's remaining 5 miles. Shortly after Dull Woods you reach a trailhead at US 40. The busy crossing is unmarked for motorists so take care. Wengerlawn Rest Area is also known as "Pete's Station," in honor of trail builder Peter Smith. The trail comes to an end after Sweet Potato Ridge Road and the Preble county line in Verona. Aside from parking, there are no facilities but you can imagine someday continuing the final 20 miles west to Indiana along the same old railroad corridor that serves up the Wolf Creek Recreation Trail.

The Trotwood Depot trailhead is located at the intersection of Wolf Creek Pike (Main Street) and Broadway. From Interstate 70 take State Route 49 south for 5.3 miles. Turn right onto East Main Street toward Trotwood and look for the depot after 1.75 miles.

To reach the Verona trailhead from Interstate 70, follow SR 49 north for 1.8 miles to Wengerlawn Road. Turn left onto Wengerlawn and look for the trailhead just past Number 9 Road after 4.5 miles.