The Donut Trail in Butler County Ohio

Have you ever heard of The Donut Trail?! Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. And it’s in Butler County, Ohio! Perfect for a day trip! A very sweet and indulgent day trip!

The trail was started in January 2016 and it highlights 12 locally-owned, mom-and-pop donut shops. It’s the only one of its kind. And it is so much, tasty, sugary fun!

Why donuts, you ask? Well… why not!!? Butler County boasts one of the highest numbers of donut shops per capita in the midwest ….with one donut shop for every 15,000 residents. So, it seemed like a logical choice. And you can believe that these people know their donuts.

We recently did part of the trail and it was such a blast!!

The Donut Trail spans 80 miles and takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete. (We did half of it in a little less than 2 hours.)

Pro Tip: You gotta to start early, because when a mom-and-pop donut shop runs out of donuts….they close up the shop! Also, be sure to call or check their website….because when mom and pop go on vacation….they also close the shop!

Encountering lines means it’s gonna be good. And don’t worry…..they move quickly.

To fully experience The Donut Trail, you collect official stamps on your official passport at each official location. (It’s very official.) 🙂 You can get the passport online or in one of the 12 donut shops. Once complete, each passport can be turned in or mailed in for a FREE Donut Trail t-shirt. And if you are feeling extra….you can do the trail annually because the shirt design changes each year.

The participating bakeries have a combined 372 years of donut-making experience! See….I told you that they know their donuts.

Pro Tip: Each donut shop has a specialty or unique donut that makes them stand out. Make sure to ask what it is…..and then get that one, for sure!

So far, over 9,000 people have visited the trail, including visitors from nine different countries and 44 states (including Alaska and Hawaii)!! How cool is that?!

The trail is a big hit with all kinds of groups, from families looking for a fun weekend activity to bachelorette parties to family reunions. We recognized a few of the same groups at many of the shops we visited on the morning we went. It was so fun to see the same people enjoying the same crazy unique experience that we were! We chatted and made friends with them all!

Pro Tip: Definitely do the trail with friends or family and ALWAYS share your donuts! You can taste more donuts if you share. 🙂

Be safe. Always buckle up.

I love that the trail has also helped the local economy, bringing in $1 million annually in economic impact to the region.

There is so much fun to be had in Butler County! Stay tuned for more posts about what to do in Butler County when you’re not eating donuts.

Each stop has a unique donut and a unique sign! It’s so fun. Be sure to take and share lots of pictures and use the hashtag #donuttrail. It’s a great one to follow!