Paint Creek State Park Campground / Campground in Ohio
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"The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
If you are looking for a peaceful getaway to enjoy the great Ohio’s outdoors, Paint Creek State Park Campground should be on your list. Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Ohio, this campground offers a range of recreational activities, picturesque views, and plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.
The Ohio State Park/Campground
Approximately 200 sites
All sites are electric
10 Full hookup sites
5 VIP sites
2 Camper cabins
10 Equestrian Site (Non-Electric)
1 Shelter house
Shower Houses
Flush Toilets
Laundromat
Dump Station
Playground
Volleyball
Basketball
Disc Golf
Miniature Golf
Water (seasonal)
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Dumpsters
General Store
Beach
Boating
Fishing
Campground is open year round
Spotty cell service
Spotty TV signal
Reservations may be made up to six months in advance online at ohiostateparks.gov or by calling (866) 644-6727.
RV/Camper/Tent Campsites
Campsites can be reserved on the ODNR website or by calling 866-644-6727. There are electric and full hook-up sites.
Every campsite comes with a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground also provides modern restrooms, showers, and a dump station to make your stay more comfortable.
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Flush toilets
Showers
Dump station
Pets are permitted
The campsites come in different sizes and designs. Some offered lots of space, while others were more compact. The amount of shade also differed, with some sites fully exposed to the sun and others providing plenty of shaded areas.
There are decks available on 15 of the campsites. Some of these sites offer beautiful views of Paint Creek Lake, making them a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
As for the cell service and TV signal, they were very spotty.
The Ohio State Park Campground was very clean.
At Paint Creek State Park Campground, some campsites offer plenty of shade, while others are open and sunny. To find the perfect spot for your stay, be sure to check out Google Maps or watch our drive-through video for a closer look.
Time lapse video of the campground at Paint Creek State Park Campground
Recreational Activities at Paint Creek State Park Campground
West Branch State Park campground offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. The park itself provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, volleyball, miniature golf, and disc golf. The park also features picnic areas and playgrounds.
Visitors to Paint Creek State Park will find a wide range of activities to enjoy:
Boating and Fishing: The 1,148-acre Paint Creek Lake is perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming. There are a few businesses on the lake that offer boat rentals.
Hiking and Biking: There are several trails throughout West Branch State Park. There are no trails in the campground. Most of the trails in the park are multiuse and allow horseback riding.
Horseback Riding: The park features almost 27 miles of bridle trails, providing a scenic route for horseback riders.
Disc Golf: There is a disc golf course located in the Paint Creek State Park Campground. The first hole is located across the road from the campground store.
Miniature Golf:
In addition to disc golf, visitors can enjoy a fun round of miniature golf. Perfect for families and campers of all ages, the miniature golf course offers a more laid-back activity to enjoy during your stay at Paint Creek State Park. It is located next to the campground store.
Playground and Other Recreation
Children will love the playground available within the campground. And for those seeking additional activities, there’s a volleyball court, basketball court, and picnic shelter for group gatherings.
Paint Creek Shoemaker Beach
Paint Creek Shoemaker Beach is located on Paint Creek Lake. It is a large beach that is about 15 minutes from the campground.
Paint Creek Archery Range
Paint Creek Archery Range is located on US-50 south of Paint Creek Lake. It is about 11 minutes from the campground. Here is a link to the archery range. It can be hard to find on the map if you do not know exactly where it is at.
Hiking Trails at Paint Creek State Park Campground
Paint Creek State Park offers a range of scenic hiking options with trails that span from short 0.7-mile loops to longer treks up to 12 miles. These trails wind through peaceful meadows, thick woodlands, and are often adorned with colorful wildflowers in the spring and summer months.
For those seeking even more adventure, the park features over 27 miles of bridle trails for horseback riders and 12 miles of mountain biking trails, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all types.
Below are the Paint Creek State Park Hiking Trails.
East Trail Loop
Length: 8.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
This moderate loop trail near Bainbridge, Ohio, covers almost 9 miles of beautiful, undisturbed wilderness. Whether you're hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking, the trail provides a peaceful escape, with little chance of encountering large crowds. It typically takes around 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash.
Harmony Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Perfect for a quick nature getaway, Harmony Trail is a short 0.7-mile loop near Bainbridge. With an easy and gentle path, it’s ideal for casual hikers or those with young children. It takes roughly 12 minutes to complete, offering a serene walk in nature. Dogs are allowed, provided they are leashed.
Little Pond Trail
Located near Bainbridge, the Little Pond Trailhead offers a scenic walk that both you and your pets can enjoy. This trail is a great spot to take a break and make use of the nearby restrooms and picnic shelters. The picturesque pond and surrounding woods create a peaceful atmosphere for anyone looking to enjoy a leisurely day in the park.
North Loop Bridle Trail
Length: 6.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
This 6.1-mile loop trail near Greenfield is a popular route for hikers, horseback riders, and trail runners. With a relatively easy terrain, the trail takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes to complete. It offers plenty of open space and natural beauty, making it a relaxing escape. Leashed dogs are welcome to join in on the adventure.
South Loop Paint Creek Trail
Length: 11.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
For those looking for a longer hike or ride, the South Loop Paint Creek Trail is a scenic 11.7-mile loop near Bainbridge. This easy trail is popular among hikers, runners, and horseback riders alike. It generally takes around 4 hours to complete and provides a peaceful experience with very few other visitors along the route. As with all trails, leashed dogs are welcome.
Paint Creek State Park Campground Disc Golf Course
Paint Creek State Park’s disc golf course offers a fun and challenging experience for all skill levels. With 21 holes, the course takes you through a mix of wooded trails and open fields, offering a variety of playing conditions. Each hole presents a unique challenge, from tight, technical shots through the trees to long, open throws across the fields. As you play, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the park’s natural beauty, making this course a must-visit for disc golf enthusiasts.
Click on the map to find the Paint Creek State Park Disc Golf Map & Score Card
Time lapse video of the campground at Paint Creek State Park Campground Disc Golf Course
Wildlife at West Branch State Park Campground
At West Branch State Park Campground, we saw a lot of deer, squirrels, rabbits, and birds.
Our Experience at Paint Creek State Park Campground
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Paint Creek State Park Campground. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the campground is well-maintained and exceptionally clean. The campsites were spacious, and the facilities, including the restrooms and showers, were in great condition.
One highlight of our visit was the disc golf course, which offered an enjoyable and challenging layout through both wooded areas and open fields. However, we did notice quite a bit of trash along the course, despite the availability of numerous trashcans. It would have been even better if the course had been kept tidier.
While we appreciated the tranquility and natural beauty of the park, we found that the cell and TV service was quite limited. A stronger signal would have been helpful for staying connected, but we made the most of our time unplugging from technology.
Lastly, we would have loved to see a hiking trail within the campground itself. Although there are plenty of beautiful trails throughout the park, having one close to the campsites would have made it more convenient for quick nature walks or early morning hikes.
Overall, Paint Creek State Park Campground provided a wonderful escape, and we look forward to returning.
Additional Notes:
The trailer pads in the main campground are blacktop.
For the most part, the sites seem to be pretty level.
The roads in the campground are a decent width.
Roads are blacktop.
The campground was well-kept.
Each campsite had a picnic table and fire ring.
There are 4 shower houses located throughout the main campground.
There are 5 latrines spaced out through the park.
You cannot get to the beach from the campground.
Some of the camp sites have quite a bit of shade while others are full sun.
Certain sites offer a waterfront view.
The dumpsters are only located at the dump station.
Paint Creek State Park Campground in Bainbridge Ohio
Make a Reservation at:
What You Can Expect at Paint Creek State Park Campground
Please note that Ohio Campground trail rules and regulations can change at any time. The following information was in effect for Paint Creel State Park Campground as of October 2022.
Flush toilets.
There are mountain bike trails at Paint Cree State Park.
We saw lots of birds.
No bridges out on the water.
Concealed carry is permitted.
Leashed dogs are allowed in campground and on the trails.
Trail surfaces are natural.
Campground roads and pads are blacktop.
Each lot has a picnic table and fire ring.
There is a playground near the 130 campsites.
There were no benches in the campground.
Some sites are full sun, and some have shade.
1 shelter house in the campground near the camp store.
There are no trials in the campground.
There are dumpsters located at the dump station.
Paint Creek Lake
ADA compliant campsites.
