Paint Creek State Park

Paint Creek State Park encompasses a total area of 5,652 acres of land and 1,190 acres of water in Ross County and Highland County of the state of Ohio. The park is contiguous with a private nature preserve called the Highlands Sanctuary and the park is also home to a lake that was created by the damming of Pain Creek. To get to the park, jus travel 20 miles southwest of Chillicothe (a city in Ross County and in the south-eastern corner of the state of Ohio). The exact address of the park is 14265 U.S. Route 50, Bainbridge, Ohio 45612.

The underlying geology of the park consists of limestone and limestone bluffs that are a favorite of many hikers. Other special features of the park include Paint Creek Pioneer Farm which includes a preserved log house and a collection of log buildings as well as livestock, fields, and gardens that are representative of the 1800s. The Paint Creek Reservoir or Lake provides habitat to a wide variety of birds including the great blue heron, waterfowl, osprey, bald eagles, and shorebirds. Other animals within the park include raccoons, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer.

Besides the natural splendor and historical interest at the park, some of the other activities that visitors to the park can appreciate include fishing, camping, sledding, hiking, hunting, boating, swimming, horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Facilities at the park include several campsites with electricity, horseman's camp, swimming beach, boat rentals, camper cabins, food concession, boat ramps, houseboat rentals, laundry, picnic areas and picnic shelter, fuel dock, nature center, game courts, hiking trails, bridle trails, and bike trails.

You are allowed to bring your dog to the park, but you must observe strict state park rules. Some of the park rules that dog owners should observe include the following. All dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet long. Dog owners must prevent their dogs from wandering into park buildings and areas that are not designated as pet-friendly areas. Also, if you decide to camp at the park, you should be aware that there is a limit of only 2 pets/dogs per campsite.