Overview Paint Creek Dam Site Area, located on Paint Creek Lake, offers great opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Scioto area of southwestern Ohio. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and rock climbing.Recreation The campground is operated by the Ohio Department of State Parks and offers a wide…
Overview Paint Creek Dam Site Area, located on Paint Creek Lake, offers great opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Scioto area of southwestern Ohio. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and rock climbing.Recreation The campground is operated by the Ohio Department of State Parks and offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities, including mini and disc golf, a nature center and an amphitheater. Other activities on land include picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting and rock climbing. A swimming beach, summer nature programs, three boat ramps, a marina and boat rentals can all be found around the lake. In winter months, sledding and cross-country skiing are available. The Corps of Engineers downstream recreation area offers picnicking, a trail, a play area and rock climbing opportunities. Two access points to the stream provide kayaking and canoeing opportunities on the river. Paint Creek has long been a popular fishing stream, where white and black crappie, blue gill, smallmouth and spotted bass, rock bass, suckers, darters, channel catfish and saugeye are commonly found. A 1.5-mile hiking trail meanders near Little Pond, and individual picnic sites with grills are scattered throughout the area and available on a first come, first served basis.Facilities Paint Creek Dam Site Area offers two accessible day-use picnic shelters that each accommodate up to 100 people. A visitor center is located on-site. Little Pond Shelter (Shelter 1) sits next to Little Pond and contains 15-amp electric hookups. Corn hole courts are adjacent, but bean bags are not provided. A water fountain is available at the shelter; a fountain and playground are just across the parking lot from the shelter. Overlook Shelter (Shelter 2) overlooks the lake and emergency spillway. There is an environmental restroom but it has no water or electric hookups. Overlook Shelter is located near the visitor center which houses a water fountain, flush res
Photos
Little Pond Shelter — USACEOverlook Shelter — USACE
How to Get There
From Chillicothe Ohio, take Route 50 west for 18 miles to Bainbridge. Ohio. Three miles past Bainbridge, turn right on Rapid Forge Road. Go 2 miles north and turn left into the Paint Creek Dam Site Area. Little Pond Shelter is located on the right just before crossing the dam. Overlook Shelter is located at the end of the road at the emergency spillway overlook.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to PAINT CREEK DAM SITE
Heading to PAINT CREEK DAM SITE? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for PAINT CREEK DAM SITE?
No central reservation system listed for PAINT CREEK DAM SITE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233904) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at PAINT CREEK DAM SITE?
PAINT CREEK DAM SITE has 2 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to PAINT CREEK DAM SITE?
From Chillicothe Ohio, take Route 50 west for 18 miles to Bainbridge. Ohio. Three miles past Bainbridge, turn right on Rapid Forge Road. Go 2 miles north and turn left into the Paint Creek Dam Site Area. Little Pond Shelter is located on the right just before crossing the dam. Overlook Shelter is located at the end of the road at the emergency spillway overlook.
How do I contact PAINT CREEK DAM SITE?
You can reach the park at phone: (937) 365-1470 LAKE OFFICE.
