FALL 2022: We have launched a new mobile friendly trip planning page >>>> https://ohiotoerietrail.org/planOTET
ARCHIVE PAGE:
Whether taking a morning hike, early afternoon ride, or multi-day trip across the state, you can use this area to plan your adventure on the Ohio to Erie Trail. Use the resources below to find trailheads, bicycle shops, food stores and restaurants, and lodging options, as well as determine the distance between locations.
Four-set tour guide Order the Tour Guide – Northbound or Southbound is Available
Our set of four detailed OTET Tour Guides make your trip planning easy. We have two options – Northbound or Southbound guides. Please pay attention to which option you are ordering so you receive the one you want. The entire 326-mile route is divided into four regions with very detailed direction guides. The tour guide is a very detailed set of four maps printed on four sheets of paper that are 8¼ X 25½ and folded to make six panels.
The maps are designed to work with other resources on this page. For example, a symbol for camping may indicate multiple campsites in the area. These campsites will be listed on the campsite list under lodging below. All four sheets arrive in a custom plastic envelope making a neat and easy to use navigation kit. Each panel contains a map, mileage and a written description of the trail sections and road routes. The tour guides have been designed to provide straightforward, user-friendly information. Discounted wholesale orders are available too. You can order the tour guides for by visiting our online store.
Our current brochure is packed with helpful information and our interactive map, along with information about navigating through Columbus and what segments are crushed limestone can be found here:
https://ohiotoerietrailarchive.org/interactive-map/
Links for RidewithGPS that show gradients, distance and cue sheets are also located on this page. RidewithGPS has options to download to a mobile phone or GPS navigation device. A tutorial is provided on the link with the GPS files.
Tour Guides at Bike Shops – Several partner bike and coffee shops along the OTET sell the OTET Tour Guide mentioned above. The shops sell them for $15. The participating shops are listed on our Friends Along the Trail Page and the list is expanding.
OTET Route on City Streets & Rural Roads by Region Street and Road Guides 2021
The number of miles that the OTET is routed onto city streets and rural roads is decreasing and we have worked with local entities to make sure that we have chosen the safest street/road route when there is no other choice. Currently there are approximately 53 of the 326 miles or 16% in this category. In some urban areas like our three “C” cities (Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati) street routes may be greatly diminished but never completely eliminated. The link in this section will take you to a pdf document that contains the current street and road listings and mileage by OTET region as of February 2019.
POPULAR RESOURCES: Download LODGING and CAMPING options
Amenities and Attractions Amenities 6-30-21 Attractions – PDF File
Lodging and Campsites (as of June ’22) OTET_Lodging Campsites
Listed are attractions, services and amenities (food, lodging, camping, restroom and water) that can be found along and in close proximity to the Ohio to Erie Trail. The attractions and campsites list is listed according to the four sections of the OTET Trail Guide. The amenities list begins from the north (Cleveland) and proceeds south to Cincinnati by county. Within a town, the various services available are listed along with approximate mileage from the trail, directions, website and phone number, if available. Due to ever evolving changes in amenities this list may contain inaccuracies. Please be an advocate and communicate changes via our email address, OhioToErieTrail@gmail.com.
In addition to these resources, we have listed the links to journals and a camping map posted by people who have visited the Ohio to Erie Trail and wrote about their experience. See the list on our Facebook Page under Notes. Helpful distance grids are on the Destinations and Itineraries page.
The link above takes you to the Friends of the Trail page where retail and lodging establishments have posted their discount services or products that are available to trail users. Be sure to tell them you are a trail traveler to receive the listed offerings. We now offer a searchable directory of businesses along the trail through our ClubExpress Directory.
Support for Travelers by Bike bike-repair-shop-listing in PDF file
Listed are those bicycle shops that are in close proximity to (either along the Trail or less than 2 miles away) the Ohio to Erie Trail, in order from Cincinnati to Cleveland. In some cases it is best to call the shop for specific directions in the urban areas.
The list is aligned with our four map set. The list gives you which map and which panel on the map where the bike shop is located. We have provided name, address, telephone number and made comments to assist you in locating the shop. If you use a bike shop by locating them on our web site listing, please tell the bike shop how you found out about them.
In addition to these bicycle shops, we will be adding hardware and other stores where repair parts can be purchased. Find one: let us know please. This is list is a work in progress so email us if there is an addition or correction that should be made to assist travelers.
AAA Automatically Supports Members on Bikes http://www.AAA.com/bicycle
Roadside assistance for AAA members now automatically supports them on their bicycles at no extra cost and no additional sign-up. The only restriction is that the bike fits a traditional bike rack. The towing mileage works the same as vehicle towing mileage: Classic 3 miles; Plus 100 miles; Premier 100 miles and one 200 mile tow. Check out all details at the AAA web site and carry that AAA card on the Ohio to Erie Trail! Use our listing of Bicycle Shops on the OTET as well. Note that not all AAA offices offer the National AAA bike support program.
Long Term Parking Options at Trail Termini:
You must call the locations to find out pricing and availability ahead of time.
Cleveland:
If you are staying at a hotel the night before your trip, the hotel may offer long-term parking. Check with them.
PNC garage located at 750 Vincent Ave managed by AllPro Parking.
Note that this information is subject to change.
Cost is $13 per day as long as you leave by midnight. The garage is self-service – open 24 hours. The business office will need to know you are parking there for multiple days so if you arrive M-F 5:30 am – 6:00 pm, stop by the office and give them your car make/model/license plate number. If you don’t arrive during business hours, call the garage during business hours and let them know this info plus how long you will be parking there. The garage number is 216-357-2634.
Cincinnati:
Holiday Inn Express Bellvue Address: 110 Landmark Dr, Bellevue, KY 41073 Phone: 859-957-2320
Holiday Inn Express Covington Address: 600 West 3rd Street, Covington, KY, US, 41011 Phone: 833-499-3576
Reser Bikes Address: 648 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071 Phone: 859-261-6187
Long Term Parking Options along the Trail:
Getting to Downtown Cincinnati from Airport: Bus and by Bike
There are two ways to get from the CVG (Cincinnati/Covington Airport) in Northern Kentucky to downtown Cincinnati. The best is the Transit Authority of Northern (TANK) which utilizes bike racks on the front of the buses that do come to the airport on a frequent schedule every day. One can visit these web sites for more info and call 859-331-Tank. The Cincinnati terminal is right at Riverfront and the start of the OTET. No fee for bikes and rider fee is nominal.
Riders connect bikes to rack but no locks are permitted. http://www.tankbus.org/routes/2x http://www.tankbus.org/Portals/tankbus/TankBikeRideB.pdf
The second way is to ride your bicycle from the airport to Cincinnati on streets for a distance of about 12 miles to the start of the OTET. Take Terminal Drive and Airport Access (only road leaving the airport) north to Petersburg Road (KY20) and follow it (one mile) to KY8/River Road on the Ohio River (2 miles). Follow Route 8/River Road to Newport where you can cross the Ohio River easily on the Purple People Bridge (Newport Southbank Bridge that is PURPLE!). After crossing the Ohio River, you are on Pete Rose Way just a few blocks from the Ohio to Erie Trail along the river.
Note that KY8 winds its way changing names as it comes to Covington then to Newport. It changes from River Road, to Highway Avenue to Crescent Avenue through Covington, KY then uses West 5th Street all the way to Monmouth Street in Newport where you turn north (left) towards the River. In three blocks turn right on 3rd Street and the Purple People Bridge will be on your left over the Ohio River.
Amtrack runs through Cleveland and Cincinnati and you can bring your bike for an extra charge.
For more information: https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
Local Area Contacts MORE TRAIL RESOURCES and more Camping resources.
Listed by region are the web contacts for organizations and communities that contribute to the success of the Ohio to Erie Trail and who can provide you with additional information regarding their areas.
