Taylorsville MetroPark

The area that is now Taylorsville MetroPark was once one of the busiest crossroads in the country, the meeting place of major transportation arteries — the Old National Road, Great Miami River, the Miami-Erie Canal and railroads. Today, the area serves as the crossroads of bike trails, hiking trails and river recreation.

Some highlights include several trails, great fishing and birding, geocaching, camping, and Great Miami River access. 

Trails

• Buckeye & North Country Trails
  • The Buckeye and North Country Trails pass through Taylorsville 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 historical and scenic features, making them accessible and provide long-distance hiking.
• East Park Trails
  • With more than 8 miles of trail and challenging elevation change, the trails at Taylorsville’s East Park offers hikers an opportunity to challenge themselves while immersed in an old-growth forest with stunning river overlooks. From the trailhead located just north of the stone shelter, you will find a variety of trail lengths and difficulty to make your experience fit your needs. 
• Great Miami River Recreation Trail
  • This trail bisects Taylorsville MetroPark from north to south. Travel to the north end and discover where the village of Tadmor once stood. Along the way look for the remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal. Go south from the dam and stand on an observation deck far above a native meadow. The park is a flat, 10-mile ride to or from RiverScape.
    
    

(Information via Five Rivers MetroParks)

Taylorsville Dam

Taylorsville Dam is an earthen embankment located across the Great Miami River in northern Montgomery County near the City of Vandalia. It is one of five dry dams constructed by the Miami Conservancy District in response to the Great Flood of 1913.  Construction of the dam began in February of 1918 and was completed in November of 1921. U.S. 40 goes across the top of the dam. 

Chief Engineer Arthur Morgan felt strongly that the lands surrounding the dry dams (called storage basins) should be available to the public for outdoor recreation use. The land that is utilized for the flood protection system also provides unparalleled public access to the Great Miami River and its tributaries. More than 20 public jurisdictions in five counties hold permits to operate parks, trails and related attractions on Miami Conservancy District land. Five Rivers MetroParks is the largest of these organizations, providing recreational opportunities on hundreds of acres of flood protection land in the Dayton region. 

Learn more about the integrated flood protection system