Paint Creek State Park

Paint Creek State Park
Marina with boats
Paint Creek Lake marina
Paint Creek State Park is located in Ohio
Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park
Location in Ohio
Paint Creek State Park is located in the United States
Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park (the United States)
LocationHighland and Ross counties, Ohio, United States
Coordinates39°15′15″N 83°22′35″W / 39.25417°N 83.37639°W / 39.25417; -83.37639[1]
Area5,652 acres (2,287 ha)
Elevation850 ft (260 m)[1]
Established1972
Administered byOhio Department of Natural Resources
DesignationOhio state park
WebsitePaint Creek State Park

Paint Creek State Park is a 5,652-acre (2,287 ha) public recreation area located in Highland and Ross counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The state park's central feature is a reservoir, 1,148-acre (465 ha) Paint Creek Lake,[2] which was created by the damming of Paint Creek. Construction on the dam started in 1967, and Paint Creek State Park was opened in 1972.[3][4]

The underlying geology of the park is limestone, and significant limestone bluffs may be seen, and hiked to, just below the dam. The bluffs and gorges feature Coolwort (Sullivantia), an extremely rare wildflower in Ohio.[3] as well as an outstanding colony of Smooth Cliffbrake (Pellaea glabella) ferns.[citation needed]

The Highlands Nature Sanctuary, a private, 2,068-acre (837 ha) nature reserve, is contiguous with the park.[3][5]

  1. ^ a b "Paint Creek State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference lakes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference odnr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference corps was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference arc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).