National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Paint Creek State Park
State Park Information
Paint Creek State Park
14265 U.S. Route 50
Bainbridge


State Park Overview

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 -lthough the Paint Creek area bears evidence of glacial activity. One stream - the park, Rocky Fork Creek, was blocked by glacial ice and reversed direction, rapidly cutting the 75-foot gorge seen today. Sullivantia - extremely rare wildflower in Ohio, blooms in the gorge in mid-summer.

Equally impressive here are the Seven Caves -ll 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 Annes 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 lakes edge provide nesting habitat for the cliff swallow. Other songbirds, raccoons, white-tailed deer and the elusive wild turkey inhabit the park.

Camping
The scenic hilltop campground at Paint Creek has 199 sites equipped with electricity. The campground features hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities and a dump station. Three Rent-A-Camp units, consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook stove and other equipment can be rented during the summer months by reservation. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. A primitive horsemans camp is available for riders who bring their own mounts.

A primitive horsemans camp is available for riders who bring their own mounts. Self-contained units are permitted.

Trails

Picnicking

Boating

Swimming

Fishing and Hunting

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, Crawfords Mill, was built at a place later called Hewitts Crossing on Paint Creek. The site now lies beneath the waters of the reservoir.

Log cabins still stand in this area - reflection of our heritage. A walk through the parks own Pioneer Farm provides further insight into the settlers lives. Construction of the dam on Paint Creek started in 1967 and the site was dedicated as a state park in 1972.

Local Visitor Information Web Sites

Offical Guide to Southeastern Ohios Scenic Wonderland, the Hocking Hills. The 9 State Parks and State Forests. How to get there, things to do, interesting local merchants, what to see, places to stay. Reserve your cabin or campsite online!

Web Site



More Info

Ohio has 73 state parks that offer a variety of outdoor experiences. ...cinnati.Coms Spring Guide 2001 ...os Appalachian State Parks. Adams Lake State Park (adams) Barkcamp State Park (belmont) Beaver Creek State Park (columbiana) Blue Rock State Park (muskingum) Burr Oak State Park (athens)
...aclete Xtreme Sports Team tries to race as often as time and money (and our bodies!) allow. We race at different events and different cities throughout the year and as our member base grows,
...o Subaru/IMBA Trail School. Single Track Press (mbo@single-track.com) Fri, 9 Jul 1999 112459 -0400. Messages sorted by [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ] Next message Doug Landauer... ...le Sport of Loveland OhioOhios premieir cycling authority ...le Sport of Loveland OhioOhios premieir cycling authority ...ember 921-01. Home. Places America Directory. -+- Antiques & Crafts. -+- Auto Services. -+- Bicycle Routes. -+- Bed & Breakfast. -+- Cabins & Cottages. -+- Camping. -+- Covered Bridges. -+-
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Tar Hollow State Park Laurelville PH 614-887-4818 Paint Creek State Park 14265 U.S. Route 50 Bainbridge, OH 45612
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...erpts From. THE YELLOW WARBLER. The Newsletter of the Dayton Audubon Society. FEBRUARY 1996. volume 58No. 1. Published eight times per year by the Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E.... ...tadot, LLC, website.
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Area Attractions
Nearby state parks include Pike Lake, south of Bainbridge and Rocky Fork, - Hillsboro. Both parks offer camping, hiking and fishing opportunities.

Fort Hill State Memorial - 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.

Nearby Oldaker and Fallsville wildlife areas offer hunting, fishing and wildlife observation. Miller Nature Sanctuary - state nature preserve, contains rare native Ohio plants, outstanding geologic formations and several dolomite caves. Access is by written permission only by contacting the chief of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Area Campgrounds

Chaparral Family Campground
10136 W Middletown Rd
Salem, OH
(330) 337-9381

Ponderosa Park
9362 Salem Warren Rd
Salem, OH
(330) 332-0044

Timashamie Family Campground
28251 Georgetown Rd
Salem, OH
(330) 525-7054

Rocky Fork State Park
9800 N Shore Dr
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 393-4284

Cedar Hill Campground
10186 Thomas Rd
Leesburg, OH
(937) 780-2267

Lake Hill Campground
2466 Musselman Station Road
Frankfort, OH
(740) 998-5648

Rocky Fork State Park Park Office
9800 N Shore Dr
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 393-4284

Babington Camping & Mobile Hm
11993 Spruance Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 466-2323

Shady Trails Family Campground
11145 N Shore Dr
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 393-5618

L B Camping
2483 Greenbriar Rd
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 493-4614

Long's Retreat & Campground
50 Bell Hollow Rd
Latham, OH
(937) 588-3725

Tanglewood Acres Horse Camp
2779 Pike Lake Rd
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 493-3142



Area Fishing Related Businesses

Hirn's Corner
3504 Us Highway 50 W
Bainbridge, OH
(740) 634-3286

Willard's Lake
3605 Us Highway 50
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 364-6134

Cast Away Lakes
4098 E Danville Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 288-0104

Highland Lakes Inc
2850 McAfee Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 927-9103



Area Resorts and Lodging

North Bay Cottages
11083 N Shore Dr
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 393-2849

Tu-Lakes Motel
7420 N Beach Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 3932917

Lazy H Cabin Rentals
14889 Old 50
Bainbridge, OH
(937) 3652961

Holiday Cottages
6837 Mccoppin Mill Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 3652331

Cedar Trails Nudist Retreat
11 Cow Run Rd
Hillsboro, OH
(937) 7642365


Paint Creek State Park