Buckeye Trail Thru-Hike (Circuit) Permit

No single permit covers the whole loop. The Buckeye Trail crosses federal land, state parks and forests, county parks, and private land across 47 Ohio counties, and each has its own camping rules rather than one shared permit.

No. The National Park Service is direct: 'No camping is permitted in the national park,' and backcountry camping or overnight parking-lot stays are both prohibited. About 28 miles of the Buckeye Trail run through the park, so plan to camp at one of the campgrounds outside the boundary instead.

The Buckeye Trail Association describes it as '1,400+ miles' forming a continuous loop around the state, making it the longest loop hiking trail in the country.

It is a full loop: the Buckeye Trail Association's own words are 'a 1,400+ mile continuous loop that showcases Ohio's natural beauty.' You can start anywhere on the circuit and hike it in either direction.

26 official Sections, each with its own Buckeye Trail Association map using a system of numbered Points and Segments so hikers can track progress section by section rather than only as one continuous thru-hike.

A full continuous thru-hike typically takes three to four months, though most people who complete the whole loop do it as a circuit hike over multiple trips rather than in one push.

The Buckeye Trail Association's own guidance is to use designated sites, state parks, and private campgrounds along the route. Camping is not permitted everywhere, so plan each night's stop before you set out.