Paint Creek State Park

Paint Creek (SW)

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Address/Directions

280 Taylor Road
Bainbridge, Ohio 45612

Regional Office & Mailing Address

Rocky Fork State Park
9800 North Shore Dr
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Rocky Fork Park Office

937-393-4284

Camp Office

937-981-7061 (seasonally)

Information

Located amid the breathtaking scenery of the Paint Creek Valley, 5,652-acre Paint Creek State Park features a large lake with fine fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. A modern campground and meandering trails invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore and enjoy the rolling hills and streams of this scenic area.

Nature of the Area

The Paint Creek region lies at the very edge of the Appalachian Plateau. This escarpment marks the boundary between the hilly eastern section of the state and the flatter western portions. Most of the plateau in southeastern Ohio was never reached by glaciers, although the Paint Creek area bears evidence of glacial activity. One stream near the park, Rocky Fork Creek, was blocked by glacial ice and reversed direction, rapidly cutting the 75-foot gorge seen today. Sullivantia, an extremely rare wildflower in Ohio, blooms in the gorge in mid-summer.

Equally impressive here are the Seven Caves, all located about 50 feet above Rocky Fork Creek. A short trip to the caves from the park is well worth the time.

Before Paint Creek was impounded to form a reservoir, the creek valley was unrivaled in the state for scenic beauty and its display of wildflowers. Some of this unspoiled land yet remains above the still waters of the lake. Wild geranium, jewelweed, yarrow and Queen Anne’s lace can be found blooming in the woodlands and meadows of the park.

The reservoir provides habitat for numerous waterfowl and shorebirds as well as the great blue heron. Osprey and bald eagles have been sighted over the lake. The limestone outcroppings on the lake’s edge provide nesting habitat for the cliff swallow. Other songbirds, raccoons, white-tailed deer and the elusive wild turkey inhabit the park.

History of the Area

We are not the first to recognize the richness and beauty of this land. Prehistoric Indian cultures built a variety of earthworks throughout the region, while the Shawnee Indians considered the Paint Valley home.

Conflicts often arose between the original holders of the Ohio country and the white settlers invading from the east. A Shawnee named Waw-will-a-way became a victim of this strife when he was unjustly accused of scalping a white man. This Indian encountered three white men in the Paint Valley bent on revenge for the scalping. They shot him in the chest, yet he killed one and severely wounded the other two before he succumbed. His funeral pyre laid at the peaceful confluence of the Paint and Rattlesnake creeks.

The waters of the creeks provided a source of power for early mills. Grinding grain, processing wool and sawing wood were all facilitated by the waters flowing over dams constructed in the creeks. Many of the original dams were made of only earth and wood and were washed out by annual floods. One such mill, Crawford’s Mill, was built at a place later called Hewitt’s Crossing on Paint Creek. The site now lies beneath the waters of the reservoir. Construction of the dam on Paint Creek started in 1967, and the site was dedicated as a state park in 1972.

Camping

183 electric sites
14 premium electric sites
The campground features hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities and a dump station
Camp office loans games and sports equipment to registered campers
Camp area also features basketball, volleyball and horseshoe courts
Pet camping is permitted on designated sites
A primitive horseman’s camp is available for riders who bring their own mounts
Download the Campground map

Getaway Rentals

2 Deluxe Camper Cabins are available April through the 1st weekend in December
Both are equipped with beds, TV and VCR, microwave, refrigerator, gas grill, and gas fireplace (season use only)
Pets are not permitted in the camper cabins

Trails

Hikers can explore four trails from .75 miles to 2.5 miles long
The trails, lined with delicate wildflowers, pass through open meadows and mature woodlands
Trail riders will enjoy the 18.2 miles of bridle trails through scenic park lands
There are 12 miles of mountain bike trails that also allow hiking

Boating

Unlimited horsepower boating is permitted on 1,190-acre Paint Creek Lake
3 launch ramps provide access to the lake
Boat rentals, fuel and seasonal dock rentals are offered
Check for water quality advisories
Boating laws and information

Fishing

Anglers will enjoy good catches of saugeye, bluegill, bass, catfish and crappie at 1,190-acre Paint Creek Lake
Download the lake map
Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Picnicking

3 picnic areas with tables and grills are provided near the marina and the beach
Picnic shelter at the camp ground is reservable online or by calling 866-644-6727

Swimming

A large 1,000-foot sand beach provides enjoyment for swimmers and sunbathers
A bathhouse with restrooms and changing booths is available
The beach is open during daylight hours only
Swim at your own risk & be sure to keep an eye on the kids
Pets are NOT permitted on swimming beaches
Check for water quality advisories

Hunting

Hunting is permissible on the lake for waterfowl and on the adjacent wildlife area
Pheasant, rabbit and white-tailed deer are abundant
Hunting is not permitted on Sunday
Valid Ohio hunting license is required

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)

Sledding
Cross country skiing

Disc Golf Course

18-hole course
View the course layout

Area Attractions

Nearby state parks include Pike Lake, south of Bainbridge, and Rocky Fork, near Hillsboro • Both parks offer camping, hiking and fishing opportunities
Fort Hill State Memorial, a prehistoric Indian hilltop earthworks, is located south of Paint Creek
Seip Mound State Memorial, built by the Hopewell Indians, is just east of Bainbridge
A dental museum is located in downtown Bainbridge
Adena State Memorial, the restored home of Thomas Worthington is one of The Ohio Historical Society’s premier sites • It includes Worthington’s newly-restored 1807 mansion and a 13,000 square foot Museum/Visitor Center
Nearby Oldaker and Fallsville wildlife areas offer hunting, fishing and wildlife observation
Miller Nature Sanctuary, a state nature preserve, is located east of Paint Creek off State Route 50, and contains rare native Ohio plants, outstanding geologic formations and several dolomite caves. Access is by written permission only
For more information on area attractions, visit
- Ohio Tourism Division website or call 800-BUCKEYE

More To Do

Nature center features displays of native wildlife and fish, as well as programs during the summer months
Miniature golf can be enjoyed for a small fee
Rock climbing is permitted along the Harmony Trail and Spillway Wall • Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (937-365-1470) for information