A trailside campsite is nestled a short distance from the Great Miami River Trail under tree cover and tucked below grade of the trail at the opening to a tranquil grass field on the south side of Taylorsville MetroPark. It has one campsite with room for up to 2 small tents. Fires are NOT permitted in trailside campsites. A portable restroom is within 1000 feet and is shared with other park users. Potable water is not available in that area of the park, the closest is approximately one mile away in West Park on Brown School Road from April 1 to October 31. This site provides a great resting stop for backpackers of the Buckeye and North Country Trail along with bicycle tourists utilizing the Miami Valley Trails, the nation’s largest paved trail network.

Reserve a campsite

The upper Great Miami River valley at Taylorsville includes a diverse area of floodplain and upland forest. Its rugged eastern portion includes an exposed limestone escarpment caused by an ever-flowing spring, and scenic wooded ravines sloping down to the river.

The conservation staff works to preserve the existing mature woodlands through the control of honeysuckle and other invasive species. Natural succession is permitted to occur in designated areas to maximize forest size, and young forests are helped along with the reintroduction and planting of native mast species.

The park also includes tall grass prairies, meadows and ponds that are managed to ensure biodiversity and support habitat for wildlife.

The highly diverse borrow areas east of the dam are also monitored and managed.

The park district protects a gorge and a little known 60-foot waterfall adjacent to the park, at the corner of National Road and Cassel Hills Golf Course. Sunderland Falls, named after the original 1805 landowners, feeds a stream to the Great Miami River and was an important stop for pioneers in covered wagons traveling the old National Road.

The strategic trail initiative was first started at Taylorsville, converting existing hiking trails in East Park into sustainable trails. Working with the land and sculpting trails using natural contours, sustainable trails reduce erosion and create large swaths of undisturbed habitat.

Fishing is available at the following locations. All require an Ohio fishing license, and state limits apply:

• South Park Ponds
• Poplar Creek Ponds: Bass must be released; rainbow trout can also be found in these ponds.
• Great Miami River: The river is an excellent warm water species fishery with smallmouth and largemouth bass, panfish and catfish. A popular river spot is just below the dam.

The Great Miami River Trail makes its way through Taylorsville just to the west of the dam. It is paved and easy to maneuver for walking, running or biking. Running groups often meet here for runs because of the ample parking. Running, walking or skating north offers a trip along the historical Miami-Erie Canal and shaded woodland views, giving way to vistas of the Great Miami River.

Learn more about the Great Miami River Trail.

Numerous species of animals and birds call Taylorsville MetroPark home. Coyotes have been seen in the park. See signs of beaver activity and look for warblers along the river and woodpeckers in the wooded areas. Birds to be found include both riparian and woodland species.

Beautiful examples of upland forest can be found at along the trails off of U.S. 40 along the Great Miami River. Upland forest is characterized by well-drained soil, flat or hilly terrain and trees that form a nearly complete canopy overhead. These forests contain a variety of tree species and might include sugar maple, oak, hickory, ash and beech. Beneath these tall trees is an understory that contains species such as dogwood, spicebush and pawpaw. On the forest floor, you will be able to find nonwoody plants and ephemerals (wildflowers) that bloom in the spring, capturing sunlight before the trees come into leaf.

There is a giant shumard oak, nicknamed Champion Oak, adjacent to the parking lot off of Bridgewater Road. This massive tree stands has a 240-inch circumference and a crown spread of 91.87 feet, scoring 357 points and making it the fourth largest tree measured in the MetroParks.

Try to find the endangered damselfly, the seepage dancer, at Taylorsville MetroPark. This little blue insect with a funny-sounding name is actually an indicator of the health of its wetland habitat. Park in the lot near the Blue Heron Shelter (off of the 2000 U.S. 40 entrance), or ride the Great Miami River Bikeway to the wetland south of the dam to spot this rare insect.

One of the largest mammals living in your MetroParks is the white-tailed deer. These Ohio natives can be found in almost any MetroPark — and sometimes even residential neighborhoods. Hike the orange trail at Taylorsville MetroPark and look for hoof marks near the river. Park in the lot near the 2101 U.S. 40 entrance, or access the park by riding the Great Miami River Bikeway.

Geocaching is an activity combining technology and nature, using global positioning system (GPS) devices to search for and find “caches” hidden throughout the world. Visit www.geocaching.com and search by location to get started. Then head out on an adventure to find the geocaches hidden in this park.

Hike the nearly 13 miles of scenic trails. Discover a rich variety of hiking terrain and numerous trail options. Loop trails in East and West Park are color-coded, with intersections marked by numbers that correspond to numbers on the inside map. Follow the same color to arrive back at your starting point. Trails are open year-round. The remaining trails throughout the park may not be loops. Please check maps. 

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 and make accessible historical and scenic features and provide long-distance hiking.

Learn more about the NCT/BT.

The land where Taylorsville MetroPark now sits was once the site of the bustling town of Tadmor, one of the most important centers of transportation in early Ohio history. With all four means of transportation of the day within yards of each other, Tadmor was truly the crossroads of America.

In 1839 National Road passed through Tadmor just to the north. For 50 years National Road was the busiest roadway in the country. With the construction of the Taylorsville Dam the road was rerouted to bring travelers across the top of the dam. Always a means for east/west travel, the road was heavily used through the  Golden Age of automobiling in the1950s.

History and natural beauty come together in the Tadmor of Taylorsville MetroPark. Walking along the trail visitors discover ephemeral blooms in spring to blazing color in fall or hear the call of wild turkeys. Reflect on the past at Tadmor, once the busiest crossroads in the country. Imagine the physical toil of men hand digging the Miami-Erie canal, connecting the people and commerce of the Ohio River in Cincinnati with Lake Erie in Toledo, opening the state of Ohio to great development opportunity.

The Taylorsville Dam was built by the Conservancy District as a result of the 1913 flood. It was completed in 1922 and U.S. 40 was rerouted across it.

During the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a number of structures in the East Park area to enhance visitor use. The CCC Shelter stands as a testament to the Corps’ work.

The land was leased to MetroParks 1966. The park opened to the public on April 1, 1967.

View park history.

Discover unique low-lying floodplain meadows and forests as well as mature upland forests while taking in views of the Great Miami River. Taylorsville MetroPark east side trails take you through the heart of upland and floodplain forest. Wonderful year-round hiking provides views of the river, wildflowers and wildlife.

Taylorsville MetroPark contains exceptional examples of mature upland forest with many spring wildflowers, second-growth woodlands, natural succession areas, a few aging pine stands, a few managed grasslands and extensive floodplain forests along the Great Miami River Corridor.

The Great Miami River is popular with canoeists and kayakers. It is generally easy to navigate, but conditions vary. Trips often start upstream and use Taylorsville MetroPark as a destination. Watercraft are not permitted through the dam.

Take out upstream of dam from the 8-mile Tipp City section of the Great Miami River at the 2005 U.S. 40 entrance to the MetroPark. Put into the Great Miami downstream of the dam using the boat ramp at the 2000 U.S. 40 entrance to Taylorsville MetroPark for the 9-mile section of river to Island MetroPark. This section of river allows you to begin at a forested rivers edge and finish at the delights of downtown Dayton. Get the Great Miami River Water Trail Map and beware of portage around the low dams below Needmore Road and below Island MetroPark.

Learn more about the Great Miami River Water Trail

Reserve shelters in the park for your exclusive use using our online reservation system. 

Unreserved shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic table sites also are available.

With sufficient snowfall, glide down the sledding hill at the Taylorsville West Park, 1200 South Brown School Road. Bumpy, grass turf with a gentle grade, this obstacle-free hill offers safe long-distance sledding down a slope of 30 degrees with a 400- to 500-foot run. Sledding is not permitted on the dam.

Cross-country ski the picnic areas and open meadows. Most hiking trails are not suitable for skiing due to steep terrain.

Hiking trails are open all winter long in most MetroParks. Trails are packed snow.

Birding is a great way to learn about nature and get outside in your parks. From young to young at heart, people of all ages can enjoy this activity year round. Winter in Ohio offers many opportunities to explore the woods for songbirds.