Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapOverview
The Camp Chase Trail is a notable paved 15-mile greenway that takes trail users through the mostly rural outskirts of Columbus and out towards London, Ohio.
A majority of the route is a rail-with-trail and parallels an active rail line, separated by a fence, ditch, or graded trail and all railroad crossings are lighted with warnings.
About the Route
The trail's western endpoint is located at the Wilson Road trailhead, just west of the community of Lilly Chapel. Heading east from the trailhead, the first mile and a half offers a peaceful trail experience through Ohio farm country where the trail passes through fields of soybeans and corn, in addition to well-maintained homes and barns.
The crossroads at Lilly Chapel are notable due to the grain elevator operation located close to the trail. Lucky trail users may see a train being loaded with the bounty of the fields just off the trail. Once past the elevator, fields again predominate the landscape.
Georgesville appears in another 3.2 miles. The trail weaves through town and heads downhill to the Darby Creek Bridge. Crossing the bridge takes trail users into Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, a recreational gem with 7,000 acres of prairies and forests.
At this point, the Camp Chase Trail is now off the rail corridor for the only time in its entire length. The trail's route through the park is great experience as it winds close to the creek, crossing under the very tall rail trestle bridge, and then meandering up the hill through the forest. The trail eventually takes you to the park entrance road, where the trail travels back a short distance to get back to the rail corridor.
The small town of Galloway greets trail users just 4 miles past the park. Not far from Galloway the ambience takes on a different character as the trail enters the first outlying neighborhoods of greater Columbus.
Another 2.5 miles from Galloway and almost at the end of the trail, a new-built trail bridge that was built next to the active railroad bridge helps trail users cross the very wide and busy I-270 loop where the trail meets its eastern endpoint near the hilltop neighborhood of Columbus.
Connections
At the trail's western end, the trail continues as the Roberts Pass Trail.
In Battelle Darby Creek Park, trail users can connect to the Darby Creek Trail.
At the trail's eastern end, a short on-road connector links trail users to the Scioto Trail.
The Camp Chase Trail is part of the Ohio to Erie Trail, which stretches over 300 miles from the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland.
The Camp Chase Trail is part of the Great American Rail Trail, a 3,700-mile route from Washington to Washington D.C.
The Camp Chase Trail runs between 3300-3340 Wilson Rd SE (London) and N. Eureka Ave. (Columbus), with parking available at the western end in London.
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
I re-rode the Camp Chase Trail from its eastern terminus to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park today, and rode the section from there west last year. It's a nice trail, in good condition, and the gaps have been filled in over the years. Of particular note is that the gap orangedoug mentioned, at the Metro Park, was closed in March of 2020. It is a bit difficult to find the connection through the park from the west though; go to the roundabout at the west end of the parking lot, and find the trail branching off southwest (which would likely be the last direction you would expect to find it), and that's the connector, with an Ohio to Erie trail marker hiding in the woods.
I rated the trail 4/5 instead of 5/5 because while it is in good condition, it's the least scenic of the "big 5" trails in Columbus. I ride the Alum Creek Trail and Olentangy Trail every year; they're beautiful. Comparing this trail to the Alum Creek, the major difference is you forget you are in a city on the Alum Creek Trail. On the Camp Chase, for the first 7 miles going west, it's almost all city (there is a park area near Wilson Road). It does open up and become more scenic past Georgesville Road. Realistically, the section east of there is a "every few years" trail for me.
Parts of the eastern section were also reminders of the increasing poverty in parts of west Columbus since the pandemic; tent encampments were set up along parts of the trail and the parallel railroad, which hadn't been present the last time I rode the trail in 2020. In the afternoon of one of the first warm days of the spring, it didn't feel dangerous, but if you're planning an Ohio to Erie trip and aren't from the area, plan to be Downtown before sunset. At least the trail seems to be of use to the residents living by it; several tents had bikes by them and one man was working on his bike from the tracks when I went by in both directions.
The Hilltop Connector to the Scioto Trail at the eastern end is not a bad connector at all. Road speeds are moderate, most of it has a dedicated bike lane, and even at rush hour it didn't feel risky (and I'm not someone who rides roads).
Enjoyed the well maintained trail but at a few points it was confusing.
I’ve used this rout every weekend while I was at Columbus. Loved it. Wish I was back there
The Camp Chase Trail runs along an active/semi-active rail line. For the most part the trail is straight as an arrow. The trail itself does tend to flip-flop sides of the tracks several times as it heads southwest toward London, Ohio. It undulates beside the tracks sometimes running above and sometimes below the track level. The asphalt trail surface is in good shape and is fairly wide. When I reached Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, I had to turn onto Darby Creek Drive and ride up to the park entrance and ride the park's roadway to reach the trail once again. This was disappointing because I knew that construction had started on completing the trail through the park, but unfortunately, it was not yet completed when I rode through at the start of October. For those bikers doing a northbound Ohio to Erie Trail ride this construction will eliminate a steep climb on the park's roadway coming up from the banks of Darby Creek. The new trail looks to diminish the slope of that climb.
The Camp Chase Trail is a nice trail, but I want to note two things. First, as you ride out of the North Hilltop neighborhood where this trail starts, the area surrounding the trail will open up. You will not be riding through a tunnel of trees any longer. You will definitely need sunscreen on sunny days. In addition, in all likelihood you will have to face a headwind, particularly if you are riding westbound on this trail. After leaving the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park you are surrounded by farmland almost the entire way until you reach London, Ohio. There is very little in the way to stop the wind coming at you. If you are traveling west on this trail keep that in mind. Secondly, make sure you have an adequate supply of water if traveling between Columbus and London. Towns and commercial areas are not nearly as close together as they are in Columbus. It was 95 degrees the day I rode from Columbus to London. Anytime I approached a small town or commercial area I double checked the levels of my water bottles and filled them up if I was at or below half of the 3 bottles total capacity. You probably don't need to be as vigilant as that on cooler days, but on really hot days I think it would be prudent.
Rode this trail starting at Battelle (parking at the first entrance south of Alkire Rd in a very small lot to the right after entering the park) rode 3 miles east into Galloway and stopped at the tavern to cool off and have a drink. All in all this stretch of the trail was uneventful. Fairly flat with a little incline here and there. During this stretch we crossed Darby Creek Dr, Alkire Rd, Alton Rd., and finally Galloway Rd to get to the tavern. We also crossed the railroad tracks a couple of times. The trail was nicely paved and well maintained, however, there is absolutely no tree cover at all so you are riding the whole time in the blazing sun.
Great way to get in and out of the city, and it’s fairly scenic once you get outside the city. A rails w/trails, so it’s straight and flat and great for biking.
Camp Chase Trail is a new part of the 320 mile Ohio-to-Erie Trail, and this section is much less crowded than other popular bike trails in Columbus.
Wilson Road Park has seasonal bathrooms, a bike repair station and a water fountain, and there is also bike repair stations at Wilson Rd Park and at the base of the Hilltop Connector Bridge.
Columbus Westside Running Club maintains the Trail with monthly litter cleanups. Give it a try if you haven’t already!
I am a new 43 year old rider on a Mountain Bike. I started this trip at Wilson Rd end, I rode to Columbus. This trail was amazing to be on, I encountered many pleasant riders and walkers. The trail did get confusing at I think it was Battelle park where I encountered Mt. Everest (LOL) was not expecting that hill but enjoyed the off-road ride through the woods. Over all I am planning on riding this trail again only starting in London next time. Over all I finished 22 miles and enjoyed it very much.
Very nice well maintained trail. There are several flip flop across the RR tracks. and a couple highway crossings. There is a gravel section and a short steep hill in Battelle Darby Park so be prepared to go to the small ring.
The trail is in great shape but not much to see along it. The middle section is not on a rail trail but through a park. Pretty good hills in the park just to warn you if you are looking for a flat rail trail. The park was probably the nicest part.
I started at Battelle Darby Park heading west, then continued on Roberts Pass Trail almost to London before turning back. I crossed 2 railroad tracks and 2 to 3 roads. Otherwise it is a well maintained trail with views of Ohio farmlands. Especially important to me, the trail had very few twigs, leaves and stones on it, allowing me to enjoy the scenery rather than dodge these potential hazards. Loved it!
Metro Parks is asking that trail users not park in the lot at Galloway Tavern. Signs are posted. Limited parking is available in 6 spots along the trail (off O'Harra Road). Tavern parking is for tavern patrons only.
Parked at Galloway Tavern and cycled back east a couple miles until trail ended, I think at Sullivant Ave. Trail is recently paved. We didn't see any clear mile or km markers that made sense so we weren't sure how far we had biked. Returned to the Tavern, then continued west to the park and back. Went in to have a brew at the Tavern but service was too pokey. All in all, a pleasant ride and not crowded at all.
I parked in Galloway and rode to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Although I followed the signs, I missed the rest of the trail once I got inside the park. I did ride back to Galloway and on to Hall Road where the rest of the trail is being paved. Can't wait for this to connect to Columbus!
Trail extends west to London, Ohio and takes you through rural farm lands. From the parking lot at Batelle Darby metro park to London and back is approximately a 24 mile round trip. The trail is under construction to the east toward Columbus; currently you can ride as far east as Galloway.
There are bathroom facilities available at the Batelle Darby parking lot. There is also a porta john about 5.5 miles west of the park trail head at the Wilson road trail parking lot. There are no water fountains at either spot, so be sure to bring your own water.
The trail is pleasant and has light traffic. It is paved and in good condition.
Great, flat paved trail. Rode it to Roberts Pass and continued to London. Sparsely populated on a Saturday afternoon (though it did rain).
The Camp Chase Trail is a paved multi-use trail and it is close to 7.5 miles now and will be 15 in the next 2-3 years. The easiest place to access it is within Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Your description says it is crushed stone, but the trail is paved everywhere except the small connector thru the metro park where it is stone. The NE trail point is Alton Road and it will reach Galloway Rd in the near term.
_158563_nb.jpg)
_166876_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
