{{Short description|Paved multi-use trail in Ohio, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox hiking trail | name = Camp Chase Trail | photo=The start of the Camp Chase trail.jpg | caption=The start of the Camp Chase Trail at the Wilson Road trailhead in Madison County, Ohio. | location = Madison and Franklin counties, Ohio, United States | designation = {{jct|state=OH|USBR|21|USBR|50|SBR|1}} | length = {{convert|15.2|mi|abbr=on}} | trailheads = Lilly Chapel to N. Eureka Ave. in Columbus, Ohio | use = Paved Multi-use | elev_change = | highest = | lowest = | difficulty = Easy (fully accessible) | season = Year-round | sights = | hazards = | map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=line}} }} The '''Camp Chase Trail''' is a paved multi-use trail in Madison and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It serves as the Southwest Columbus segment of the {{convert|326|mi|adj=on}}<ref name="Dispatch1013">{{cite news|last=Rouan|first=Rick|title=Statewide bike path beckons|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/10/08/bike-path-beckons.html|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Columbus Dispatch|date=8 October 2013}}</ref> Ohio to Erie Trail. The entire length of the Camp Chase Trail is part of the Great American Rail-Trail, U.S. Bicycle Route 21 and U.S. Bicycle Route 50.<ref name="USRN approval">{{cite web|title=Report to SCOH|first=Marty|last=Vitale|location=Louisville, Kentucky|publisher=Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|date=May 29, 2014|accessdate=June 1, 2014|url=http://route.transportation.org/Documents/USRN%20Report%20May%2029%202014.docx|format=Office Open XML|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105136/http://route.transportation.org/Documents/USRN%20Report%20May%2029%202014.docx|archive-date=2014-05-31|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ODOT submission">{{cite web|title=USBR 50 update|first=Jennifer|last=Townley|publisher=Ohio Department of Transportation|date=April 10, 2014|accessdate=June 1, 2014|url=http://ballot.transportation.org/FileDownload.aspx?attachmentType=Item&ID=1176|format=PDF|archive-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052353/http://ballot.transportation.org/FileDownload.aspx?attachmentType=Item&ID=1176|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{AASHTO minutes|year=2021S}}</ref>
==History== {{main|Camp Chase}} Camp Chase Trail is named for the Camp Chase Railway it parallels. During the American Civil War, Camp Chase was a military staging and training camp for Union forces, and a prison camp for Confederates. All that remains of the camp today is a Confederate Cemetery containing 2,260 graves, located at 2900 Sullivant Ave. It was named for former Ohio Governor and Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. Four future Presidents passed through Camp Chase as Union soldiers: Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, and William McKinley.
To create the Camp Chase trail, the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District worked with the Camp Chase Rail Company to manage the regulations and construction requirements needed to acquire an easement alongside active railroad tracks,{{sfn|Pack|2013|p= 36}}<ref name="RailsTrails">"[https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2021/november/10/ohio-s-camp-chase-trail/ Ohio's Camp Chase Trail]" by Christina Sturdivant Sani, ''America's Trails'', November 2021, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 11/10/21 .</ref> finalizing the easement in 2009.<ref name="RailsTrails"/>{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 26}} The trail was completed in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Latimer|first=Sandi|title=County working on Camp Chase Trail issues|url=https://www.columbusmessenger.com/county-working-on-camp-chase-trail-issues.html|accessdate=17 August 2023|newspaper=Columbus Messenger|date=25 March 2014}}</ref>
thumb|Steel Truss Bridge, which carries the Camp Chase Trail and Ohio to Erie Trail over the Columbus outer belt I-270
The bike trail is one of the few in the United States that is a rails with trails, meaning the trail runs within an active railroad right-of-way.{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 26}}<ref name="RailsTrails"/> The Camp Chase Trail has more than 12 miles of the bike trail existing within the railroad right-of-way.{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 26}} As of 2018, there were 343 identified rails with trails in the United States, comprising 917 miles of trails in 47 states.{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 10}} By comparison, there are currently 2,404 open rail-trails across the United States comprising a total of 25,723 miles along with 867 rail-trail projects planned for an additional total of 9,147 miles.<ref>"[https://www.railstotrails.org/our-work/research-and-information/national-and-state-trail-stats/ National and State Trail Statistics]," Rails to Trails Conservancy, accessed August 19, 2023.</ref>
A number of design elements separate the twelve-foot-wide trail from the rail line, including fencing, grade separation and ditching.{{sfn|Pack|2013|p= 36}} As part of the agreement that resulted in the creation of the bike trail, the trail owners indemnify the railroad company.{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 26}} A bridge built for the bike trail provides a way for pedestrians to cross Interstate 270 instead of trespassing on the railroad bridge, as frequently happened before the trail was built.{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 87}} The trail manager is required to provide the railroad with advance notification of work on the trail and trail maintenance staff "attend railroad safety classes to adequately prepare them for the responsibilities and limitations of working within an active rail corridor."{{sfn|FRA|2021|p= 88}} The trail has seven railroad crossings, the most of any rails with trails.{{sfn|Pack|2013|p= 25}}
==Location== *West terminus west of Lilly Chapel (and east terminus of Roberts Pass): {{coord|39|53|23.3|N|83|18|50.8|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:US-OH}} *East Terminus in Columbus at N. Eureka Ave: {{coord|39|57|48.8|N|83|03|59.5|W|display=inline|type:landmark_region:US-OH}}
==Route== [[File:Camp Chase Trail railroad crossing.jpg|thumb|One of the railroad crossings along the Camp Chase Trail. The trail has seven crossings, the most of any rails with trails.]] The Camp Chase Trail is {{convert|15.2|mi}}, with {{convert|3|mi}} in Madison County and {{convert|12.2|mi}} in Franklin County. The Camp Chase Trail extends from Lilly Chapel (Roberts Pass Trail) to the Columbus Hilltop Neighborhood where it connects to the Scioto Greenway Trail. The approximate midpoint of the trail is in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park where it crosses the confluence of the Big and Little Darby Creeks.
The follows alongside the Camp Chase Railway except for a short stint along Big Darby Creek and a one mile diversion along Georgesville Road in Columbus.{{sfn|Pack|2013|p= 36}}<ref name="ShortlineGuide">''American Shortline Railway Guide, 5th Edition'' by Edward A. Lewis, Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1996, {{ISBN|0-89024-290-9}}, page 57.</ref> The Camp Chase Trail has been complete from the conjunction with the Roberts Pass trail at the Wilson Road Trailhead in Madison County, Ohio to the intersection with Sullivant Avenue in Franklin County since 2015.<ref name=Messenger0314>{{cite news|last=Latimer|first=Sandi|title=County working on Camp Chase Trail issues|url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/News/County-working-on-Camp-Chase-Trail-issues.aspx|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Columbus Messenger|date=25 March 2014}}</ref> The City of Columbus approved funding for the final 3 miles of the Camp Chase Trail from Georgesville Road to North Eureka Ave. on November 3, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Lucas|title=Columbus approves $4.2 million to link Camp Chase trail on West Side|url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/News/Columbus-segment-of-Camp-Chase-Trail-Receives-Fund.aspx|accessdate=25 November 2014|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date= 4 November 2014}}</ref> and completed it December 2016. In July 2019, the trail connector parallel to Georgesville Road and Sullivant Ave was opened and replaced the Industrial Mile Road section of the trail. From the trail access at Georgesville Road, the trail continues north to N. Eureka Ave where the Ohio to Erie Trail route continues on N. Eureka Ave (North) to Valleyview Dr (East) which changes names to N. Highland Ave, then Harper Rd where the route crosses McKinley Ave. and utilizes the Hilltop Connector bridge to connect to the Scioto Greenway Trail.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is marked on the short road route to the Hilltop Connector bridge, where it joins the Scioto Greenway Trail. For the most part, the Camp Chase Trail is paved, with the exception of the 0.33 mile connector through the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, which is crushed, packed limestone.
For navigation, it is important to note that Camp Chase trail is in proximity to two roads named "Wilson Road", one in each county, Wilson Road Park is in Columbus (Franklin County) at 275 S. Wilson Road.
==Communities adjacent to the trail== {{main|Neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio}} * London - Roberts Pass Trail * Lilly Chapel * Georgesville * Galloway * Cherry Creek, Columbus * Georgian Heights, Columbus * Holly Hill, Columbus * Hilltop, Columbus * Westgate, Columbus * Highland West, Columbus * Valleyview enclave of Columbus * Grandview Heights - Scioto Greenway Trail
==Trailside amenities== thumb|The Ohio to Erie Trail Mural, Sue Killilea * Southern Trail head: Roberts Pass Trail Wilson Rd London, OH 43140 [Portable Restroom, Bike Rack, Car Parking, No Water] {{coord|39.889952|N|83.313252|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Camp Chase Trail Southern Trail head}} * Lily Chapel Trail side Shelter: [Covered 2-Sided Shelter, Picnic Table, Bike Rack] * Battelle Darby Creek Trail head: 8465 Alkire Rd, Galloway, OH 43140 [Restrooms, Picnic Area, Canoe Access, Car Parking, Indian Ridge Pump (well) water] {{coord|39.893482|N|83.215803|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Camp Chase Trail Battelle Darby Creek Trail head}} * Columbus Wilson Road Park, 275 S. Wilson Road, Columbus, OH 43204 {{coord|39.947798|N|83.097820|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Wilson Road Park and Camp Chase Trail head}} [Drinking Fountain, Portable Restroom, Lighted Picnic Area, Bike Repair Station and tire pump, Parking Lot] * Northern Trailhead: north of [https://web.archive.org/web/20140504020737/https://columbus.gov/HoltonPark/ Columbus Holton Park ] Columbus, OH 43204, approximately at 375 N Eureka Ave.{{coord|39.961739|N|83.067164|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Camp Chase Trail Northern Trail head}}
==Local attractions== * Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. 8465 Alkire Road, Galloway OH 43119; {{coord|39.893428|N|83.215835|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Battelle Darby Creek}} * Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery {{coord|39.943889|N|83.075833|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery}} * Ohio to Erie Trail Granite Monument 301 N Hague Ave, Columbus, OH 43204; {{coord|39.961323|N|83.075988|W|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Ohio to Erie Trail Monument}} * National Road Historical Markers<ref>{{cite web|title=National Road Historical Marker|url=http://remarkableohio.org/picture.php?/3827/category/644|website=Remarkable Ohio|publisher=Ohio History Connection|accessdate=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123100800/http://remarkableohio.org/picture.php?%2F3827%2Fcategory%2F644|archive-date=23 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ODOTNationalRoad>{{cite web|title=ODOT Historic National Road Byway|url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/OhioByways/Pages/HistoricNationalRoad.aspx|publisher=Ohio Department of Transportation|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref> * [https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Wilson-Road-Park/ Columbus Recreation and Parks, Wilson Road Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913201658/https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Wilson-Road-Park/ |date=September 13, 2017 }} trail head to Camp Chase Trail <ref name=BFirst0313>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Jeff|title=Biking hub pitched as development booster on west side|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2013/03/15/biking-hub-pitched-as-biz-booster.html?page=all|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Columbus Business First|date=15 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wilson Road Park|url=https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Wilson-Road-Park/|website=The City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks Department|accessdate=6 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> * Hollywood Casino Columbus * Movin' & Groovin' Mural, by artist Roger J Williams commissioned for the 2017 Summer Jam West; visible from the trail just east of N. Sylvan Ave. {{coord|39.956885|N|83.086317|W|type:art|format=dms|name=Summer Jam West 2017 Mural}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Roger J|title=Movin' and Groovin' Mural|url=http://summerjamwest.org/movin/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807022332/http://summerjamwest.org/movin/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 7, 2017|website=Summer Jam West|accessdate=6 August 2017}}</ref> * Columbus Recreation and Parks, West Side: [http://columbus.gov/BigRunPark/ Big Run Park and Athletic Complex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408230111/http://columbus.gov/BigRunPark/ |date=April 8, 2014 }}, [http://columbus.gov/WestgatePark/ Westgate Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223024/http://columbus.gov/WestgatePark/ |date=April 8, 2014 }}, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140344/http://columbus.gov/WestmoorPark/ WestmoorPark], [https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123458/http://columbus.gov/HoltonPark/ Holton Park], [https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123455/http://columbus.gov/GlenviewPark/ Glenview Park]
==Milestones== * March 21, 2012: Trail bridge over Darby Creek brings the trail into Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park <ref name="Messenger0312">{{cite news|last=Zurbrick|first=Kristy|title=First phase of Camp Chase Trail completed|url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/News/Bridge-Opens-into-Batelle-Darby-Creek-Metro-Park.aspx|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Columbus Messenger|date=16 March 2012}}</ref> * October 10, 2013: The Friends of the Camp Chase Trail held their first meeting at the Haydocy Automotive Community Room. Area citizens met with members of the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails to discuss creating a similar function for the Camp Chase Trail.<ref name=OTET1013>{{cite web|last=Friends of Camp Chase Trail|title=Friends of Camp Chase Trail Meeting|date=20 September 2013 |url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/News/Friends-of-Camp-Chase-Trail-Meeting.aspx|publisher=Ohio to Erie Trail|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref> * November 15, 2013: Completion of the Trail segment east of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park <ref name=Dispatch1013 /> * April 8, 2014: Friends of the Camp Chase Trail introduced the trail at the Westland Area Business Association Meeting at Darby Dan Farm.<ref>{{cite web|title=WABA Westland Area Business Association|url=http://waba-cols.com/|accessdate=9 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218143137/http://waba-cols.com/|archive-date=18 December 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref> * July 14, 2014: WSA Studio presented to the friends of Camp Chase Trail and Community Stakeholders regarding the Wilson Road Trailhead at the Haydocy Community Room.<ref>{{cite web|last1=WSA Studio|title=Wilson Road Trailhead Community Meeting|url=http://wsastudio.com/wilson-road-trailhead-community-meeting/|website=wsastudio.com/|accessdate=16 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044138/http://wsastudio.com/wilson-road-trailhead-community-meeting/|archive-date=2014-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> * October 12, 2014: Camp Chase Trail partnered with the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails to host a table at Darby Creek Days at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park an event held annually in the Indian Ridge section of the park. * November 3, 2014: Columbus City Council approves funding to construct the Camp Chase Trail between Georgesville Road and North Eureka Ave. * November 13, 2014: Paving completed on the Camp Chase Trail between Alton Road and Galloway Road. * March 28, 2015: Camp Chase Trail Day was celebrated at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wartenberg|first1=Steve|title=Camp Chase Trail Day|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/best-bike-blog/2015/03/camp-chase-trail-day.html|publisher=Columbus Dispatch Best Bike Blog Ever|accessdate=17 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wartenberg|first1=Steve|title=The C-C-Camp C-C-Chase Trail ride was...|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/best-bike-blog/2015/03/the-c-c-c-amd-c-c-hase-ride-was....html|website=www.dispatch.com|publisher=Columbus Dispatch|accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> * October 30, 2015, Friends of Camp Chase Trail hosted the Opening Trail Ride on the newest 3 mile section between Galloway Road and Sullivant Ave, including the 100 Yard bridge over Interstate 270. 36 trail friends were in attendance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Champ Chase Opening - Galloway Road to Sullivant Ave (10/30/2015)|url=http://fmcpt.com/04-NewsUpdates/2015/15-10-30-Champ%20Chase%20Opening.html|website=Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails|accessdate=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123084408/http://fmcpt.com/04-NewsUpdates/2015/15-10-30-Champ%20Chase%20Opening.html|archive-date=23 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> * December 5, 2015, The Camp Chase Trail Hilltop Action Team was established to monitor conditions in the trail corridor for the trail area from Georgesville Road to N. Eureka Ave. The Columbus Westside Running Club was formed by meeting attendees and began holding group runs at Columbus Westgate Park on January 12, 2016. * December 1, 2016, The Camp Chase Trail is fully paved between Georgesville Road and N. Eureka Ave which represents the conclusion of the major construction of Camp Chase Trail. * July 20, 2017, City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department hosted the dedication of the new Wilson Road Park and Camp Chase Trailhead at 275 S. Wilson Road, Columbus, OH 43204<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tomlinson|first1=Miranda|title=Columbus' west side gets first city park in 15 years|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/07/20/columbus-west-side-gets-first-citypark-in-15-years.html|accessdate=6 August 2017|publisher=Columbus Business First|date=20 July 2017}}</ref> *July 7, 2018, the Hilltop U.S.A. 5K is the first timed race on the Camp Chase Trail.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hilltop U.S.A. 5K|url=https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Columbus/HilltopUSA5K|website=runsignup|accessdate=4 May 2018}}</ref> * May 8, 2019, Camp Chase Trail was one of four locations to host a route reveal celebration for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Great American Rail-Trail<ref>{{cite web |title=Great American Rail-Trail Route Reveal |url=http://centralohiogreenways.com/2019/03/27/1161/ |website=centralohiogreenways.com |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> * July 2019, City of Columbus Recreation and Parks completed the half-mile trail segment along Georgesville Road and Sullivant Ave.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector |url=https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/streets/project-information/Sullivant-Georgesville-Camp-Chase-Trail-Connector/ |website=columbus.gov |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref> * May 2020, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks completed the new 1 mile segment through the woods in Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
==See also== * Ohio to Erie Trail * Roberts Pass Trail * Scioto Greenway Trail * Camp Chase
==References== {{reflist}}
===Bibliography=== ; Reports {{refbegin|30em}} * {{cite book |last=FRA |first= USDOT |title= Rails-with-Trails - Best Practices and Lessons Learned |publisher= Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, FHWA-HEP-21-017 |year= 2021 |url= https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/rails-trails-best-practices-and-lessons-learned-0}} * {{cite book |last=Pack |first= Kelly |title= America's Rails-with-Trails Report: A Resource for Planners, Agencies and Advocates on Trails Along Active Railroad Corridors |publisher= Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |year= 2013 |url= https://www.railstotrails.org/resource-library/resources/americas-rails-with-trails/}} {{refend}}
==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} * [http://centralohiogreenways.com/ Central Ohio Greenways] website and maps * [http://centralohiogreenways.com/trails/camp-chase-trail] Camp Chase Trail page on Central Ohio Greenways * [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTikAZVO67F1P5kQHPJw7JL_dRXjm-APkJ9L0dEpBleD3MXdmLHN4oLqpHEYEj6DHH1pn7FQaKoxIMx/pub 2018 Camp Chase Trail Locator Chart] * [http://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/greenway-trails/ Metro Parks Greenway Trails page] * [http://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/camp-chase-trail.aspx Map in TrailLink] * FMCPT Camp Chase Trail page [https://fmcpt.com/camp-chase-trail/ Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails] * [https://www.facebook.com/campchasefriends Friends of Camp Chase Trail on Facebook] * [https://twitter.com/CampChaseTrail Camp Chase Trail on Twitter] * [http://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/battelle-darby-creek/ Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Website] * [http://www.genealogybug.net/Franklin_Cemeteries/lttlpenna/lttlpenna.html Little Pennsylvania Cemetery] (Woolyburger Cemetery) Darbydale, Ohio
Category:Bike paths in Ohio Category:Rail trails in Ohio Category:Hiking trails in Ohio Category:Protected areas of Franklin County, Ohio Category:Central Ohio Greenways