Nearly 2000 years ago, American Indians built dozens of monumental mounds and
earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial
landscapes used for feasts, funerals, rituals, and rites of passage associated
with an American Indian religious movement that swept over half the continent
for almost 400 years. Come walk among the earthworks and experience the past.

Nearly 2000 years ago, American Indians built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, rituals, and rites of passage associated with an American Indian religious movement that swept over half the continent for almost 400 years. Come walk among the earthworks and experience the past.

Bird's eye view of the park

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Impressive, prehistoric Indian sites in the central Scioto River basin are in
the vicinity of this lake. Rock climbing is permitted on the Harmony Trail
wall and the Spillway walls only. Climbing maps are available at the Corps of
Engineers office. Minimum impact climbing practices are encouraged. No lead
climbing, no bolting, natural colored chalk only, bouldering no more than 4
ft. off the ground, and climb during daylight hours only.}

Impressive, prehistoric Indian sites in the central Scioto River basin are in the vicinity of this lake. Rock climbing is permitted on the Harmony Trail wall and the Spillway walls only. Climbing maps are available at the Corps of Engineers office. Minimum impact climbing practices are encouraged. No lead climbing, no bolting, natural colored chalk only, bouldering no more than 4 ft. off the ground, and climb during daylight hours only.}

## 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

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.

## Natural Features

The lake is situated among gently rolling hills, where a mix of open meadows
and wooded areas cover the shoreline. A variety of songbirds and waterfowl can
be found in the area.

## Nearby Attractions

The Paint Creek Lake area offers several points of interest within a short
drive, including the First Dental School Museum, Highlands Nature Sanctuary
and the Sugarloaf Outdoor Drama Theater.  
  
Several points of cultural significance include Tecumseh, Serpent Mound, Seip
Mound and the Hopewell Indian Culture National Park.  
  
Rocky Fork State Park, Paint Creek State Park and Pike Lake State Park are all
in the area as well, offering additional recreational opportunities.  
  
The nearby cities of Greenfield, Chillicothe, Hillsboro and Washington
Courthouse host annual festivals in the spring, summer and fall.

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
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.<br/>  
<br/> 
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.<br/> 
 <br/> 
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.<h2>Facilities</h2>
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.<br/>  
<br/> 
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.<br/> 
 <br/> 
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.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
The lake is situated among gently rolling hills, where a mix of open meadows and wooded areas cover the shoreline. A variety of songbirds and waterfowl can be found in the area.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The Paint Creek Lake area offers several points of interest within a short drive, including the First Dental School Museum, Highlands Nature Sanctuary and the Sugarloaf Outdoor Drama Theater. <br/>
<br/>
Several points of cultural significance include Tecumseh, Serpent Mound, Seip Mound and the Hopewell Indian Culture National Park.<br/>
<br/>
Rocky Fork State Park, Paint Creek State Park and Pike Lake State Park are all in the area as well, offering additional recreational opportunities.<br/>
<br/>
The nearby cities of Greenfield, Chillicothe, Hillsboro and Washington Courthouse host annual festivals in the spring, summer and fall.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

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Paint Creek Lake