Paint Creek State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Founded in 1972, this 5,652-acre Ohio state park is a collection of rolling hills and burbling streams that flow into a reservoir called Paint Creek Lake. The creation of the reservoir sank some of the area’s historic mills and meadows, but the park is still popular in spring, particularly for its wildflowers in cleared areas. Located in southeast Ohio, the area sees moderately hot summers and cold winters with breathtaking seasonal shifts in spring and autumn.
Nearby Cities
Hillsboro, OH
Bainbridge, OH
Chillicothe, OH
Greenfield, OH
Spring 32-73 F
Summer 61-84 F
Fall 35-77 F
Winter 21-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Paint Creek State Park
Campground Accommodations
Paint Creek Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Flush toilets, shower house, laundry facilities, dump station, playground, ball courts, disc golf course
Shady Trails Family Campground
Located in Highland County, Ohio, Shady Trails Family Campground is easily one of the best RV campgrounds you can find near Paint Creek State Park. This RV park is owned and operated by a local couple that has always lived in the area, giving it the authentic feel that so many desire. Amenities include a playground for the kids, wood for campfires, a basketball court, and hiking trails. The nightly rates to stay at this campground are $30 for sites with a full hookup and $28 for sites with only water and electricity. The address of Shady Trails Family Campground is 11145 N Shore Drive C, Hillsboro, OH 45133.
Mineral Springs Lake Resort
You should be sure to take a look at Mineral Springs Lake Resort and its features before you decide on an RV park. This campground has a total land area of about 100 acres and has plenty of room to accommodate guests and offers many great amenities. Concessions are also readily available, serving classics such as pizza and ice cream. There are hot showers, clean restrooms, and laundry service at your disposal if you choose to stay at this campground. The address of Mineral Springs Lake Resort is 160 Bluegill Road, Peebles, Ohio 45660.
What to Do at
Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park offers all the essentials for a great outdoor adventure, including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and swimming. The park partners with Paint Creek Boat Rental to provide guests with pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards at hourly rates so you can explore the coves and seek the best fishing spots. Bring a camera and keep an eye out for eagles, mink, and ducks around the lake.
Inside Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park’s underlying geology is made up mostly of limestone, and the park’s limestone bluffs are a popular viewing attraction. They can be found just below Paint Creek dam, and you can reach them through one of the many hiking trails. The region is also known for its unique vegetation, with some of the most popular options being the Coolwort wildflower and Smooth Cliffbrake ferns. If you are a nature enthusiast, you should visit the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, a private nature preserve located on the grounds of the state park. For activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating, you can head to the beautiful and spacious Paint Creek Lake.
Fishing
Fishers are welcome to cast from the shore, go out on the lake in paddle vessels, or use any of multiple boat launches in the park. There’s even a marina. The lake is seasonally stocked to ensure great fishing, and fishers catch bass, catfish, sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. Be sure to get an Ohio fishing license before you visit.
Geocaching
You’ll find plenty of varied geocaching options here. There are unique EarthCaches, traditional caches, and special challenges for eager adventurers. Paint Creek State Park sometimes joins in state-wide park geocaching challenges as well.
Nature Watching
The park is a great place for bird watchers, with lots of quail, pheasants, ducks, and songbirds. Setting up a camp chair near the water may lead to great blue heron or great egret sightings. There are also killdeer, ospreys, owls, hawks, wild turkeys, and lots of migratory waterfowl. Some animals may wander into the campground, and you could watch the local deer or foxes wander by as you eat breakfast.
Stargazing
With its remote location in rural Ohio and the wide swath of open sky over the lake, the park offers great stargazing opportunities. Stargazing is almost always better in cooler weather when there’s less chance of atmospheric haze, but there’s a good view on clear nights year-round.
Flora and Fauna
The flora in the park includes meadowlands and woods around a large reservoir, so there’s a mix of biomes, with lots of diverse plant life. There are lots of flowers in the spring, and the array of deciduous trees turn fiery shades in autumn. The lake is stocked with fish and has plenty of frogs. Migratory waterfowl like to stop here, and there are many species of ducks and their predators, including the occasional bald eagle. Deer, raccoons, weasels, mink, red foxes, and grey foxes also live in the area.
Hiking
Multiple trails lead guests along the edge of the lake and into the wooded hills around it. To get a tour of the park, try the 8.9-mile, unpaved Paint Creek East Trail Loop. It’s moderately difficult and twines through pine stands, meadows, and deciduous woods. Guests looking for an easier, family-friendly trail can try the 0.5-mile Harmony Trail. The small loop has lovely wildflowers in spring and leads down along the water.
Boating
You’ll find multiple launches and lots to explore by water in Paint Creek State Park. The park works with a small local company to rent boats Thursday through Sunday, including pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Pontoon boat rentals include gas and range from $60-$100 per hour. Kayaks are $10-$20 per hour, and paddleboards are $15 per hour.
Swimming
The park offers designated swimming areas in Paint Creek Lake, including a beach. Swimmers are asked to use caution, and no animals are allowed on the beach or in the water.
Biking
Biking is welcome in the park. Horses and hikers use the same trails, so bikers should ride with caution. The Paint Creek East Trail Loop is one of the best trails for mountain biking and offers fun, low-incline hills.
How to Get to
Paint Creek State Park
From Chillicothe, take US-50 West, and follow it for just over 23 miles. Turn right on Rapid Forge Rd. Continue for nearly four miles, then turn left on Taylor Rd. This will lead you into the park. After around 0.7 miles, turn left to find the camp store and campgrounds.
Entering Paint Creek State Park
Entry and daytime parking are free.
Paint Creek State Park Per vehicle (1-4 adults) : $0.0
Whether you want to spend the day on the water, relax with friends, or take a hike in the woods, you’ll find the right adventure for your speed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paint Creek State Park
Spring and autumn provide seasonal shows for guests. Lots of wildflowers bloom in the area during the spring and later fall sees a burst of color. To enjoy the fall colors and avoid a crowd, October is probably your best bet, but if you want to enjoy the lake, late spring and summer are better suited to water activities.
The area has lots of animals like deer, raccoons, muskrats, foxes, and skunks. Lots of waterfowl and songbirds migrate to the lake and surrounding woods as well, and the mixed habitat even attracts rarer mammals like mink. The lake holds plenty of fish, ranging from carp to several species of bass.
There are multiple designated RV camping spots in the park, including some with full water and electric hookups. The park closes most of the campground sites from November through March, and not all amenities are available during the off-season.
You don’t have to reserve a space, and walk-ins are welcome, but you can secure a site with the amenities you want up to six months in advance. The sites are varied, and not all fit larger RVs, and not all offer water or electricity. An RV-friendly site with full electrical and water hookups costs $44 per night.
Pets are allowed in most areas of the park and its campground, but they are banned from any indoor spaces and the beach. Owners must keep dogs on a leash at all times, never leave dogs unattended, and clean up and properly dispose of all their pets’ waste. It’s also important to note the park has an equestrian campground and equestrian-friendly trails, so pets should be well-controlled and calm around horses.