Paint
Creek Trailways Commission
PaintCreekTrail
@aol.com
TRAIL HOURS:
Open
Daily
6:00 a.m.-
10:00 p.m.
Year Round
Commission
Meetings:
7:00 pm
3rd Tuesday
of the Month
at Rochester
City Hall
400 Sixth Street
Rochester, MI
48307
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not find an answer below or have a comment please email us or use our feedback form below.
How long is the Paint Creek Trail?
The developed portion of the trail is 8.9 miles. It starts south of Ludlow in Rochester, and traverses north-northwest to Atwater Street in the Village of Lake Orion.
Interested in how far you've gone on the trail? Training for a marathon? Download our Paint Creek Trail mileage breakdown sheet. It details the landmarks and crossings along the 8.9 miles of trail, as well as mileage based on our Mile Marker system.
What is the surface of the Trail?
8.7 miles of the trail is surfaced with crushed limestone. Approximately the last quarter mile of the trail in the Village of Lake Orion is surfaced with asphalt. The trail is not conducive to roller blades or skateboards. There are no plans to surface the entire trail with asphalt.
What are the Trail hours of operation?
The Trail is open from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm, year round.
Where can I get a map of the Trail?
Maps are located in the brochure boxes at various points along the trail. You can also download and print maps by clicking here. Hard copies of maps can also be obtained by calling or emailing the Paint Creek Trail office at (248) 651-9260 or PaintCreekTrail@aol.com
Where are the closest restrooms?
The Trail has one official restroom near the intersection of the Trail and Clarkston/Kern Roads in Orion Township. There is also a restroom, open seasonally, in the Rochester Municipal Park, which is adjacent to the Trail. Currently, there are plans for another restroom facility to be built at the former Paint Creek Cider Mill Restaurant, just south of the Gallagher Road crossing. The Trailways Commission would like to have another facility near Tienken Road, but there are property setback issues that need to be resolved with the City of Rochester Hills.
Are there any drinking fountains along the trail?
Yes, there is one drinking fountain, open seasonally, just south of Gallagher Road near Flagstar Bank. This is close to the halfway point of the trail.
Where do I park when driving to the trail?
Click here for Trail Parking Information.
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the trail, but owners must have them on a 6' leash at all times. Owners must also clean up after their pets. We do not provide "doggy cleanup bags", but do have trash cans at many points along the trail.
Are horses allowed on the trail?
Yes, horses are allowed on the trail, in limited areas. Because of local ordinances, horses are not allowed in the Rochester or Rochester Hills portions of trail. However, horses are allowed north of Dutton, all the way to Atwater Street in Lake Orion. This is approximately 7,0 miles of trail. As with dogs, we ask that riders clean up after their horses. There is no official staging area for horse trailers, but the easiest place would be on southwest side of the intersection of Clarkston/Kern Roads in Orion Township, near the Trail restroom facility.
Are strollers allowed on the trail?
Yes, strollers are allowed on the trail. However, keep in mind that the surface is a rolled, crushed limestone. We would suggest using a stroller with wheels that can adequately handle the surface, instead of the smaller, "travel" strollers.
Is there anywhere to rent bikes or horses?
Unfortunately, there is no place to rent bikes or horses. However, guests of the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester are given bikes to ride if they would like to explore the area and trails.
Where are the closest restaurants or stores?
There are many restaurants and stores in Downtown Rochester on Main Street near the Trail. Near Gallagher Road, there is a Cider Mill that is open from September through Thanksgiving. There is also a small market on the east side of Orion Road, north of Gallagher that sells beverages, food, etc. Near the halfway point, there is the Wyndgate Golf course and Gatehouse Grille west of the Trail on Gunn Road. In Lake Orion, the trail ends approximately 1/4 mile south of the central business district, with many popular restaurants and businesses. Click here for a map:
Do you groom the trails in winter for cross-country skiers?
No, the Trail is not groomed for cross-country skiers. Grooming equipment would damage the trail surface, and the Commission policy is to keep the trail as natural as possible.
Are there any bike shops or running shops near the trail?
There is a bike shop and running shop near the terminus of the Trail in Lake Orion. Paint Creek Bicycles (www.paintcreekbicycles.com) is located on Flint Street, east of Broadway. Their phone number is (248) 693-9620. Hanson
's Running Shop (www.hansons-running.com) is located at the corner of Broadway and Flint Street. Their phone number is (248) 693-9900. There is also a bike shop located on Main Street in the City of Rochester.
Is there a "Friends of the Paint Creek Trail" group?
Unfortunately, we do not have an active Friends group, because we haven't found someone to lead it. We have over 200 people interested in a Friends group, however. If you are interested in forming / leading a Friends group, please contact Trail Manager Kristen Myers at (248) 651-9260.
Do we need permission to hold an event on the Trail?
Yes, the Trailways Commission requires a Temporary Use Permit for any event with 35 people or more. Organizations must fill out a Temporary Permit Application, submit a $25 application fee, and add the Paint Creek Trailways Commisison as additional insured on your Organization's liability or event insurance. You must contact Trail Manager Kristen Myers to be scheduled on the next available Trailways Commission agenda at (248) 651-9260. The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month, at the Rochester Municipal Offices, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester. For complete instructions and a copy of the application, click here.
Donating to the Paint Creek Trail
Contact Trail Coordinator Kristen Myers at 248-651-9260 or paintcreektrail@aol.com for questions about donations to the Paint Creek Trail.
The Commission recently developed rules for the donation of trail benches:
Trail Bench Donation Policy
Tell
us what you think
Do
you have a suggestion, comment or question about the Trail? Please tell
us what you think. Fields are optional, except your email address.
Information received is for Paint Creek Trailways Commission use only,
and not provided to third parties.