Oakland Township Park Guide: The Paint Creek Trail

Oakland Township Patch has been creating and compiling a comprehensive multimedia package to serve as an in-depth guide to Oakland Township's Parks. The Paint Creek Trail is the sixth park to be profiled in this series; , , , the and have also been profiled.

Size: 8.9 linear miles (5.3 miles within Oakland Township)
Year opened: 1983
Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Interesting fact: The Detroit and Bay City Railroad Company built the rail line in 1872 as a way to connect Detroit to Bay City, MI. The Paint Creek Trail is owned by the Paint Creek Trailways Commission and was the first Rail-to-Trail project in the state.
Terrain: The trail is 8 feet wide and composed of all-weather crushed limestone. Surrounding terrain includes fields, marshland, oak-hardwood forest and the Paint Creek. The trail is a mild incline from south to north, as Lake Orion is roughly 200 feet higher than Rochester.
Wildlife: Reptiles, amphibians, small rodents, woodpeckers, squirrels, owls, birds, deer and more
Parking: Rochester Municipal Park, Tienken Road crossing, Dutton Road Crossing, Silverbell Road crossing, Gallagher Road crossing, Clarkston/Kern roads crossing, downtown Lake Orion
Restrooms: , , Clarkston/Kern roads, downtown Lake Orion
Attractions: , Paint Creek Cider Mill, Goodison area, downtown Lake Orion

Articles about the trail:

For the safety of all Trail users, and to make your visit as enjoyable as possible, the Trailways Commission has adopted the following ordinances:

Hours: Hours of operation are from 6:00am-10:00pm, year 'round.

Motor Vehicles: Motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail, except motor vehicles used by authorized law enforcement or maintenance personnel. (For visitors with a mobility disability, please follow our Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices policy regarding permissible and non-permissible devices.)

Dogs: Dogs need to be leashed and under control of owners at all times. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Horses: Horses are allowed north of Dutton Road only, in Oakland Township, Orion Township, and the Village of Lake Orion. Local ordinances prevent horses on the Trail in Rochester and Rochester Hills. Owners must clean up after their horses.

Natural Features: Removal of natural vegetation, animals, or materials is prohibited without written consent from the Trailways Commission or Trail Manager.

Advertising: No person shall display, distribute or place any sign, advertisement, circular, notice or statement without written permission from the Trailways Commission or Trail Manager.

Sales: No person shall sell or offer for sale any article, privilege or service within the trailways land without a written permit from the trailways commission.

Trespassing to adjacent property: No person shall go onto land adjacent to trailways land which is in private ownership, without the expressed permission of the owner of the land.

Hunting and weapons: No person shall hunt or discharge any firearm or weapon within Trailways land.

Camping: Camping is not allowed on Trail property.

Alcohol: Alcohol is prohibited on Trail property.

Fires: No person shall start or maintain a fire on Trail property.

Groups: A Temporary Use Permit is required for any organized activities utilizing the Paint Creek Trail including, but not limited to:

• Walkathons
• Fun Runs
• Cycling competitions
• Running competitions
• Organized trainings
• Commercial Use of Trail
• Ongoing recreation classes or programs utilizing the Paint Creek Trail
• Any event that advertises use of the Paint Creek Trail
• Any event that requires vehicle access on the Paint Creek Trail
• Any event where participation is controlled by donations or fees
• Any activity that is beyond the scope of normal trail use.

For a copy of the Temporary Use Permit Guidelines and application, click here.

Sources: www.paintcreektrail.org and www.oaklandtownship.org