Huffman MetroPark, by its very name, draws connections to bicycles for local residents. The park and earthen dam within it are named after the Huffman family, founders of the Huffy Bike Corporation back in 1892. Horace Huffman, Jr., became a community organizer who pushed for the development of river bikeways in the 1970s. These trails are the foundation of our more than 330-mile paved trail network today.
Huffman MetroPark is a great location for cyclists to connect to the Miami Valley paved trails. Those looking for a bit more adventure can visit the park’s Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA) — filled with hardwoods, a rock-bottom creek, great hills and a rock-filled ridge with trails that offer a perfect progression from easy to advanced, including a Tot Track and Beginner skills area.
There are ADA accessible parking areas and an accessible restroom.
The Buckeye and North Country Trails pass through Huffman MetroPark. This section of the Buckeye Trail is part of a 1,440-mile continuous loop that encircles Ohio. The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches across seven states and will be 4,600 miles long when completed. These trails link and make historical and scenic features accessible and provide long-distance hiking. Learn more about the BT/NCT.
The Huffman Prairie Trail is part of the statewide Buckeye Trail, connecting Huffman MetroPark with downtown Fairborn. Along the trail, users will pass the Wright Brothers Memorial Park and the Huffman Prairie State Natural Landmark, one of the largest prairie remnants in Ohio and a unique part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park.
The Mad River Trail connects to the park at the top of the Huffman Dam. Taking this paved trail west will lead users through Eastwood MetroPark into downtown Dayton. Heading east, users can connect with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Museum, Huffman Prairie Trail, and the Kauffman Avenue Bikeway, which extends to Wright State University and Fairborn.
This scenic stream flows cool, swift and clear during most of the year due to the numerous springs from glacial deposits in west-central Ohio that feed it. Lush forests and abundant wildlife can be found along its banks. The river provides great fishing opportunities with a local population of brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, crappie and carp. Paddlers can put in upstream and take out before reaching the dam. The Mad River was designated as a state water trail in August 2010.