Butler offers a variety of reasons to visit: trails and wetlands, river activities, and historic sites and exhibits. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Butler, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your visit. The natural attractions vary in their landscapes, trail conditions, and wildlife-watching opportunities; historical themes range from regional history to commemorations of 20th-century events.
Parks, Trails, and River Landscapes
MetroParks of Butler County encompasses nearly 5,000 acres across 23 parks and regional trails, which are open to visitors daily. Conditions at individual parks may change, so check the latest notices when planning a specific outing. The Great Miami River Trail follows the Great Miami Riverway, which is recognized as a National Water Trail and includes the river systems of the Great Miami, Mad, and Stillwater. The trail begins in the south at Timberhill MetroPark; northern starting points are in Trenton and the city of Middletown. Temporary closures may affect access, so it’s a good idea to check the latest trail notices before choosing a trailhead.
The nature parks each offer something different. Much of Voice of America MetroPark consists of grassland; Audubon Ohio has designated the area an Important Birding Area. Seasonal flooding gives Gilmore Ponds MetroPark its distinctive wetland character. Three loop trails, an observation tower, and two elevated wildlife-viewing platforms add to the experience.
Governor Bebb MetroPark has about three miles of unpaved trails. It also has an out-and-back section of the Sycamore Grove Trail that is one mile long and surfaced with compacted, accessible gravel. At Sebald MetroPark, 9.5 miles of trails are currently designated for beginner and experienced horseback riders. Horseback riding is seasonal. When comparing the parks, trail type, surface, and activities can serve as useful points of reference, though they don’t indicate how long a walk will take.
Water can also be a focus: Rentschler Forest MetroPark provides kayak and canoe access to the Great Miami River. This means you can choose from river activities as well as hiking and wildlife watching.
History and Culture
McGuffey House and Museum and the Freedom Summer ’64 Memorial are both recognized as National Historic Landmarks. The USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion at Voice of America MetroPark honors the crew and legacy of the USS Cincinnati (SSN-693). The nuclear-powered submarine served from 1978 to 1996 during the Cold War.
Pioneer Village features the birth cabin built in 1799 and the childhood home of William Bebb, Ohio’s 19th governor. The 17-acre historic Chrisholm MetroPark is a farmstead of Amish-Mennonite buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Black Covered Bridge spans Four Mile Creek, also known as Talawanda Creek; it is the only covered bridge in Butler County still standing at its original site.
The Augspurger House at Chrisholm MetroPark is open only during scheduled events. Free tours are held from April through October on the third Sunday of each month. If you plan to visit, check the latest event dates. Butler County Warbirds Museum displays more than 1,800 artifacts dating from the Civil War to the present in the historic Middletown Hangar. The Canal Museum uses artifacts, photographs, and videos to tell the story of the Miami-Erie Canal and Middletown; it is housed in a replica of a lockkeeper’s house.
A Flexible Way to Explore
The Butler County Donut Trail is self-guided: you set the pace and can choose your own starting point and destination. Store hours vary, so it’s worth checking them in advance. Along with the variety of nature and history attractions, this makes for a selection of different ways to spend your trip to Butler rather than a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Middletown, Beckett Ridge, Hamilton, Fairfield, Monroe, Wetherington, Seneca County, Cuyahoga County
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