Paint Creek State Park

This review is based on the spillway, dam and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer area of Paint Creek SP. Bravo to all who keep the restrooms open in the deep snow and icy conditions of this winter!!! The huge birds at the dam and observation deck were a complete JOY to watch playing in the updraft!! There is a pollenator trail, a restroom, a shelterhouse, a playground and lower level to fish from all in this area just past the Army Corps's building! The spillway can be found just before the Army Corp's building by driving downhill. What a GEM of an area down there!!! If you fish, you need to make your way there. Rock walls and the sound of water are wonderful and there is at least one blue heron there! Off this same parking lot is another playground, another shelter and restroom and a short, but delightful trail called Harmony. Only a 1/2 mile total in a loop fashion with rock formations on both side and a wonderful stream !! This is a great place for photographers and there are 2 or 3 benches along the way to sit and take a time out from life!! Tysm for this being dog friendly! ❤️❤️ Lots of trash cans and it makes a difference!!! Zero trash?! Lots of parking!! Bravo x 10!!!

I would say an average state park with a nice Lake and several points for Marina access. Bonus it has a 9-hole putt-putt golf and a disc golf course. We stayed the second weekend in November so all but one of the shower houses was closed and a lot of the camping area was closed off. Generally I found the campsites to be a little close. There are a couple of sites along the lake with an overlook and several of the others overlook the woods. Convenient to Highland nature preserve.

One of our favorite parks to camp at. Some of the spots have some steep paths to make your way down to the fire pit.

First time kayaking here. We launched from the boat ramp and went upstream. LOVED THIS PLACE! So beautiful, nice paddling, lots of wildlife and the rock formations are amazing!! I can't wait to come back again!

While this state park has some unique overlooks and scenery, on a whole it's about average compared to others. There's lots of hiking opportunities, but the trails aren't the best. This state park seems to be more geared for fishing and boating than anything else. Some of the trails were over-grown with vegetation and had scores of spider webs strewn across the path, so they clearly haven't been in much use, which can be a good way to get away from crowds. Well, other than the crowds of spiders on the yellow trail system.