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 Frequently Asked Questions

The developed portion of the Paint Creek Trail is 8.9 miles long. The southern terminus is south of Ludlow Street in Rochester, adjacent to the Rochester Municipal Park. The Trail traverses north north-west to Atwater Street in the Village of Lake Orion. The Village of Lake Orion recently completed a trail extension project that takes you from Atwater Street, through the back of Lake Orion Lumber, to Meeks Park, and ends at Children’s Park in Lake Orion. For a map on how to access the trail from the Rochester Municipal Park, download our Trail Access Map.

98% of the Trail is surfaced with crushed limestone. However, from Atwater Street south, approximately 1/4 of a mile, the Trail is paved with asphalt. The Trail surface is not conducive to roller blades or skateboards, but can accommodate larger stroller wheels and wheelchairs. There are no plans to surface the entire Trail with asphalt. The slope of the trail is generally 2%, going south to north.

Yes, the Charter Township of Orion recently completed construction of a new bridge and pathway, the Polly Ann Connector. Located near the intersection of Clarkston and Kern Roads, the Connector allows trails users to easily and safely travel from the Paint Creek Trail to the Polly Ann 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 at local government offices, or by contacting the Paint Creek Trail office at (248)651-9260 or manager@paintcreektrail.org.

Starting on the south end of the trail, there are two restrooms open seasonally in the Rochester Municipal Park, as well as restrooms within the Rochester Police Department, both of which are adjacent to the Trail.  There is a restroom located within the nature center at Dinosaur Hill Nature Reserve, adjacent to the trail.  From May – October, a portable restroom is located at the Tienken Road Parking Lot/Trailhead.   Restrooms are also available M-F, between 8am-4:30pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill Building, at the corner of Gallagher and Orion Roads.   The Paint Creek Junction Park, near mile marker 38 and just south of the Polly Ann Connector, has an “official” trail restroom near the parking area on Orion Road.   There is also an “official” trail restroom near the intersection of Clarkston/Kern Roads in Orion Township that is open from April through December each year.

In addition, a new public restroom is being built next to Children’s Park in Lake Orion, next to the Orion Township Fire Station. It should be completed by the end of 2018.

There are also many businesses in the downtown Lake Orion and downtown Rochester area that provide restrooms to customers.

Yes. There are currently two drinking fountains, open seasonally, along the trail. One is located at the Tienken Road Trailhead and the other is located just south of Gallagher Road near Flagstar Bank. There are also drinking fountains in the Rochester Municipal Park and inside the Paint Creek Cider Mill near the bathrooms. A hand pump has been installed at the Paint Creek Junction Park near Mile Marker 38. A new fountain is being installed next to the Orion Township Fire Station and Children’s Park in Lake Orion.

The Trailways Commission is always looking for additional water sources for the installation of additional drinking fountains, especially in our northern section of trail.

There are 8 parking locations for your convenience. 

Rochester: In the City of Rochester, visitors may park at the Rochester Municipal Park, located off Pine Street north of University, and west of Main Street (Rochester Road). For mapping purposes, utilize the City of Rochester Municipal Office address of 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, 48307. To download a detailed map showing how to access the Paint Creek Trail from Rochester Municipal Park, utilize our Trail Acess Map

Tienken Road Trailhead Parking in Rochester HillsIn the City of Rochester Hills, a 12 space paved parking lot is available. The parking lot is located on the north side of Tienken Road, just west of the Paint Creek Trail between Livernois and Rochester Roads. A portable restroom is also located at this site from May – October each year. For mapping purposes, use the intersection of Kings Cove Dr. and Tienken Road in Rochester Hills, 48306. The lot is located 100 feet west of the intersection.

Oakland Township: In Oakland Township, four parking lots are available.

Dutton Road: The first is located on the north side of Dutton, west of the Trail, between Livernois and Orion Road. This is the smallest of our parking lots, as it fits only 5 vehicles.

Silver Bell Road: This lot is located on the south side of Silver Bell, west of Orion Road,approximately one mile north of Dutton on the Trail.

Gallagher Road: This lot is located on the north side of Gallagher, just west of Orion Road, approximately 0.6 miles north of Silver Bell on the Trail.

Paint Creek Trail Office: This lot is very close to the Gallagher parking lot. It is located at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, 48306 and is at the corner of Orion and Gallagher. This is a public parking lot that can hold up to 80 vehicles.

Orion Township: Parking is available at the intersection of the Paint Creek Trail and Clarkston & Kern Roads. There are two parking areas at this intersection.

The parking area south of Clarkston and west of Kern is suitable for horse trailer staging. A restroom is also located at this site.

Village of Lake Orion: The Trailways Commission owns a 12 space paved parking lot located behind the Atwater Commons Plaza. The Plaza is located at the corner of M-24 and Atwater. The parking area is located behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken, near Converse Ct and is marked with signage. For a map of this parking location, download our Downtown Lake Orion Parking Map.

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Trail, but owners must have them under control and on a 6 foot leash at all times. Owners must also clean up after their pets. We currently provide doggy “clean up” bags for your convenience. For the safety of your dog, and the safety of others, please do NOT let your dog run loose on the Trail.

If you plan on walking your dog into the Rochester Municipal Park, you will need to obtain a special permit from the City of Rochester. For more information, click here:  City of Rochester – Park Dog Permit Application.

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 the 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 equestrians clean up after their horses. There is an official staging area for horse trailers at the Paint Creek Junction Park in Oakland Township, located off Orion Road, north of Adams Road. The next easiest place to park would be south of Clarkston Road, west of Kern Road in Orion Township, near the Trail restroom facility. 

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Yes, strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the Trail. We suggest using a stroller with wheels that can adequately handle the surface, instead of the smaller “travel” strollers. Manual and electric wheelchairs are allowed and encouraged for visitors requiring them. For visitors with mobility disabilities, please read our policy on Other Power Driven Mobility Devices for information regarding permissable and non-permissable devices.

You can now rent bikes at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan.  Here is a link for more information, including rental rates and options:  Royal Park Hotel Bicycle Rental Program.

We are unaware of any horse rental facilities, but would be happy to post them if they are available.

The Paint Creek Trailways Commission allows Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycle use for everyone on the Paint Creek Trail.  Class 3 electric bicycles are still prohibited for general use. Use of all three classes are still allowed under our Other Power Driven Mobility Devices policy for those with mobility related disabilities as defined in the policy. Read our Electric Bicycle Use on the Paint Creek Trail Policy  and Personal Electric Mobility Devices Policy for more information.

There are many restaurants in Downtown Rochester on Main Street near the Trail.

The Paint Creek Cider Mill is open from April 1 through December 31 during business hours, Monday – Sunday, 11:00am – 8:00pm. The Cider Mill is located near the halfway point of the Trail, at the corner of Gallagher and Orion Roads.

The Paint Creek Market is located on the east side of Orion Road, north of Gallagher and sells beverages, food, and other convenience store items.

Also, near the halfway point of the Trail, there is the Wyndgate Golf Course and Gatehouse Grille. They are located west of the Trail on Gunn Road.

In Lake Orion, the trail ends at Children’s Park near the central business district, with many popular restaurants and businesses. For more information, you can download a map here: Lake Orion Parking.

There is a bike shop and a running shop near the terminus of the Trail in Lake Orion. Hanson’s Running Shop is located at the corner of Broadway and Flint Street. Their phone number is (248) 693-9900. Main Street Bicycles is located on the corner of Broadway and Front Street. Their phone number is: (248) 236-9100.

Rochester Bike Shop is also located on Main Street in the City of Rochester, and their phone number is 248-652-6376.

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.

Yes, the Trailways Commission requires a Temporary Use Permit for any special organized event. Your group or organization must fill out a Temporary Permit Application, submit a $10 – $30 application fee, (depending on your organization’s structure) and add the Paint Creek Trailways Commission as additional insured on your organization’s liability or event insurance. You must contact Trail Manager Tom Correll at (248) 651-9260 to be scheduled on the next available Trailways Commission agenda for event approval. The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month, at either the Rochester Municipal Offices, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, or the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Oakland Township, 48306. (Visit the Commission page for exact dates and locations). For complete instructions and a copy of the Temporary Permit application, download our Temporary Use Permit Policy and Application. 

The Trailways Commission bench program has been suspended as of October 2017, due to reaching bench capacity. If you would like to be added to a waiting list, contact the Trail Manager, Tom Correll, at manager@paintcreektrail.org.

Yes! In July 2010, the official Friends of the Paint Creek Trail group was launched, and on September 30, 2010 a Board of Directors and Executive Board was elected. The Friends group was formed to provide support for the Trail, and assist with environmental stewardship, events, amenity planning, merchandise sales, and fundraising. Membership in the group is free – to join or to donate via PayPal, learn more here or contact the Friends group President, Louis Carrio, at paintcreektrailfriends@yahoo.com.

Thanks to the generosity of the Charter Township of Oakland, the Trail office is located at the former Paint Creek Cider Mill building at 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI 48306 (at the corner of Gallagher). The Trail office is on the second floor, overlooking the Trail and the Paint Creek. Office hours vary, but are generally Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-3:00pm. We suggest you call 248-651-9260 first before visiting, to make sure someone will be there to help you.

The Trail is open year-round from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

The Lost and Found is located at the Trail office in the Paint Creek Cider Mill.  If you have lost or found an item, please contact the Trail Manager at 248-651-9260 or email manager@paintcreektrail.org. We mostly find keys that have been dropped along the trail and have quite a collection.  We post found items on Facebook whenever possible.

For the most up-to-date trail information, we recommend you follow us on social media.  You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: