Ohio River Trail

Ohio

9 Reviews

Overview

The nearly 8 miles of the Ohio River Trail (OH) (open in three disconnected segments) are open along the Ohio river's northern shore.

About the Route

The westernmost section of the trail links Cincinnati's professional sports stadiums, and a number of other parks, including T.M. Berry International Friendship Park, which is named for the city's first African American mayor.

Another section of trail takes trail users between the Schmidt Boat Ramp and Ballfields and the California Woods Nature Park and takes users along the river past the Cincinnati Municipal Airport where it shares part of the route with the Lunken Airport Trail.

A third section of trail (also the easternmost) takes trail users between Coney Island Park and Riverbend Ampitheatre, both situated along the banks of the Ohio River. The route currently meets its easternmost endpoint at a Marathon Gas near Five Mile Rd. but there are plans to extend and connect the route.

Connections

In Sawyer Point Park, the trail connects with the Newport Southbank Bridge (Purple People Bridge), which takes trail users across the river to Kentucky.

The Ohio River Trail (OH) overlaps with the Lunken Airport Bike Path.

The Ohio River Trail is part of the 300+ mile Ohio to Erie Trail, an epic trail network that links the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland.

Parking and Trail Access

The Ohio River Trail (OH) runs between Clay Wayde Bailey Bridge (Cincinnati) and 6790 Kellogg Rd (Cincinnati).

Parking is available at:

233 St Peters St (Cincinnati)
1135 Riverside Dr (Cincinnati)

See TrailLink Map for detailed directions.

Great trail with potential to connect

December 2024 luv_mlb25

I ran this trail on December 26, 2024. Started at the 5-mile road section and ended at Waites Rd. This measured 2.13 miles. Then picked up again at Ebersole Community Center and ran that entire segment including the off spur to canoe ct/trailhead, ending at Corbin Street and this measured 5.16 miles. The last segment started at the Crystailine Tower and ended at Smith Street and that measured 2.75 miles....so that is closer to 10 mile run. The site measures it as close to 8 and I don't know if they just didn't include a segment or not, but it was clearly closer to 10 miles. The sites were fantastic and the middle segment has some breathtaking views of just amazing wide open views around the airport. I would run this more if I lived closer to this trail. I never felt unsafe on the trail and there were quite a few people on the trail with the nice weather in December. HIghly recommend the trail :)

Connects to Purple People Bridge

May 2024 joenad55

Jogged on this during a recent trip. Right along the Ohio river. On one side it goes right by the stadiums, and the other side is right alongside the river. Great scenery and the pavement is in very good condition. can be accessed from the purple People Bridge down a flight of stairs.

Beechmont levy bridge is completed

October 2022 a1dog45211_tl

Beechmont levy bridge is completed

Beautiful trail along the Ohio River

June 2021 sjf0809

This is a great trail through the International Friendship Park, Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point, Yeatman's Cove Park, and Smale Riverfront Park. I wanted to go on the Purple People Bridge, but it was closed (May, 2021) because of falling rock and thus the structure had to be evaluated by engineers before it could be opened again. At the east end of the Ohio River Trail, the path just ended, whereas I thought it went to Lunken Airport Trail. I guess I didn't do my homework well enough or didn't see the signs that said the route went on streets to get to that point. I hope to do that another day, hopefully when the Purple People Bridge is open again.

Ohio River Trail Reviews

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Accordion

A Scenic Ride That is a Great Start or Finish to the Ohio to Erie Trail Route

November 2019 orangedoug

On October 7th, after over 300 miles of pedaling across Ohio, I reached the final trail of my southbound journey on the Ohio to Erie Trail route. I started on the Ohio River Trail (Ohio version) at the Lunken Airport Terminal. Only 5.5 more miles to downtown Cincinnati and I would be able to dip my tires in the waters of the Ohio River and call this trip finished and a success.

The trail runs along US-52 (the Ohio River Scenic Byway) sometimes on side next to the river, sometimes on the side away from the river and for about a 2.5 miles as a bike lane on US-52. You really don't get to see much of the Ohio River until you cross the US-52 and ride into Turkey Ridge Park in the Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati. Here you ride a trail that skirts the rivers edge while passing by Riverview East Academy. Immediately afterword you ride into the Ohio River Edge Launch Club where you can ride down to the water and dip your tires in the Ohio River at this boat launch. I had a different river access point in mind so I continued toward downtown.

Further on you return to US-52 where you will ride a well-defined bike lane on both sides of US-52 for the next 2.5 miles. Riding along this bike lane I noticed how this once empty stretch along the river had changed since I last rode on this bikeway 3 years ago. There have been many new riverview condos or townhouses built along this stretch. So much so that there is a lot fewer panoramic views of the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati than previously. When you reach The International Friendship Park the bike lane ends and you will re-cross US-52 (now Riverside Dr.) and enter the Park. From here you will follow a Bike Path all the way to the riverfront downtown. On nice days and weekends this area can be quite crowded. On this cloudy, overcast Monday, the Riverfront was nearly empty. You will pass under several large bridges that span the river on your way to the downtown riverfront.

When you reach Yeatman's Cove and Sawyer Point Park you are pretty much done with the trail. You will reach the Newport Southbank Bridge (or Purple People Bridge) and can choose to ride over to Newport, Kentucky on this pedestrian and bicycle bridge and get some wonderful views of the Cincinnati skyline. If you continue traveling west you will reach the arena, (until recently named US Bank Arena), where a parking lot slopes into the waters of the Ohio River. This is where I go to dip my tires in the river.

The Ohio River Trail continues to travel west for another mile or so past the Great American Ballpark (home of MLB's Cincinnati Reds) and Paul Brown Stadium (home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals). Check out the bars and restaurants in the area known as the Banks located between the two stadiums. There is also a park area on the banks of the Ohio River between the two ballparks. The trail ends just a little past Paul Brown Stadium when the trail passes under the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.

ohio river trail, a good sat. ride for families.

September 2016 geddythekitty

my wife and love this ride! We usually start it by Cincinnati's Music Hall and take back streets to the trail. You can start it at Smalle Park and head east. Goes past both stadiums and then through Bi-Centineal Park/ Sawyer Point. Nice view of the river all the way along the trail. You'll pass a busy resturant, then on to the Theodore M. Berry park, where it stops. Lots of areas for picnics, if you are so inclined. Smalle Park has swings overlooking the river, a carasol, water features , and plenty of places to eat. You can also cross the Purple People Bridge to go to Newport on the Levee a shopping area , that is home to Newport Aquarium. plenty of places to lock bikes to enjoy it all