Paint Creek Lake provides camping access for outdoor enthusiasts in southwestern Ohio at an elevation of 845 feet. The lake spans approximately 1,190 acres with 14 miles of shoreline, created by damming Paint Creek in 1974. Camping in Paint Creek Lake offers a mix of lakeside and wooded sites with varied terrain and seasonal conditions that campers should prepare for.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Several trails near Pike Lake State Park Campground offer opportunities to explore local ecosystems. "We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful. Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow," notes a visitor to Pike Lake State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Rocky Fork Lake provides water recreation options with accessible boat ramps. "Great location, close to activities," mentions one camper at Rocky Fork State Park Campground. Another notes, "The boat ramp and parking lot is easy to use and has a good layout."
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can find good fishing spots throughout the area's lakes. "Great campground... excellent fishing," reports a visitor to Rocky Fork State Park. Many sites provide direct water access, though some require navigating steep terrain to reach prime fishing locations.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Some areas offer more privacy than others. "We stayed for just one night at site #34. It ended up being a great site for us and our dogs. There was space between us and our neighbors and we had access to the water," shares a camper at Paint Creek State Park Campground.
Swimming areas: Several parks maintain designated swimming beaches. Long's Retreat offers extensive water activities including "multiple water slides and a huge floating dock with diving board," plus "the little kids can have fun in the splash pad right at the beach," according to a visitor at Long's Retreat Family Resort.
Nature observation: The natural environment provides wildlife viewing opportunities. "Love this spot, very secluded and quiet.. not many spots, but makes it nicer, minimal noise.. nice little lake to fish or kayak," mentions a visitor to Pike Lake State Park Campground.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies: Site proximity differs significantly between parks and specific locations. "The sites were extremely close together," notes a camper at Hocking Hills State Park Campground, while another visitor mentions, "The sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude."
Limited cell service: Connection to mobile networks may be restricted in certain areas. "Love no cell reception! Quiet clean and staff (owner) is always pleasant and helpful!" states a camper at Long's Retreat Family Resort.
Site drainage issues: Heavy rain can affect campsite conditions. "It rained the first day we were there and people were literally bailing there sites out with buckets. The places that weren't flooded were very muddy," reports a visitor to Pike Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple parks offer dedicated recreation for children. "We love camping @ Cowen Lake State park! There are organized activities on the lake and through the nature center," explains a camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have varying terrain that may require additional supervision. "Plenty of things to do. The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious," notes a visitor to Cowan Lake State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide learning experiences. "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," shares a camper at Cowan Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV sites often require leveling equipment. "Paved sites, most of them fairly level," reports a visitor to Paint Creek State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Different parks offer varied hookup options. "Electric site only, full service all full. A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides," notes a camper at Cowan Lake State Park.
Space for larger rigs: Some parks accommodate bigger RVs better than others. "Full hookup site. The camp sites were small. Wish the hiking trails by the campground had more of a lake view," states a visitor to Paint Creek State Park Campground, while another at Scioto Trail State Park Campground reports, "We had a hard time getting our rv to be level but overall we enjoyed it."
