Tara R.
Ranger
RangerEast Fork State Park Campground
Very big campground
One of our favorites! So many nice sites! Great for biking, hiking, kids playground. Decent shower rooms. Little fishing going in campground.
Camping near Patriot, IN
90 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping in the Patriot, Indiana vicinity encompasses a range of public and private sites along the Ohio River valley. Follow The River RV Resort in Florence offers full-service sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options, while Hartig Park & Wildlife Reserve provides more primitive camping with no hookups or facilities. Both Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Kentucky and Clifty Falls State Park in Madison feature developed campgrounds with electric hookups within a 30-mile radius of Patriot. The region's campgrounds provide access to Ohio River recreation, wildlife viewing areas, and hiking trails.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with Big Bone Lick State Historic Site operating from April through October, while other facilities like Follow The River RV Resort and Camp Shore Campground remain open year-round. Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Sites at established campgrounds typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. Several campgrounds feature varying degrees of levelness that can affect setup. "The sites are roomy, but in a grass field between the trees—so not necessarily private. Most smaller rigs won't have a problem, and we saw several cars on the narrow and rough gravel road," noted one camper about the camping experience.
Visitors highlight the Ohio River access as a primary draw for camping in the region. Northern Kentucky RV Park and Camp Shore Campground both feature boat-in access points, allowing campers to combine watercraft exploration with overnight stays. Campers at Hartig Park consistently mention the quiet, secluded nature of the camping experience despite the primitive facilities. One reviewer described it as "an awesome quiet campground tucked away in northern KY along the Ohio River. There are 10-12 dispersed campsites with fire rings and picnic tables." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region's campgrounds, with Big Bone Lick State Historic Site featuring a bison herd and nature museum. Proximity to historical sites, including General Butler State Resort Park and several small riverside communities, provides additional exploration options for campers visiting the Patriot area.
Best Campgrounds near Patriot (90)
1. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
"we really enjoyed Big Bone. we went to their museum center on Saturday afternoon and walked the Bison trail to see the baby bison they had at the time. it was nice to have something different to do."
"A well groomed and cared for campground surrounded by a museum, bison prairie, hiking trails & other outdoor activities."
from $40 / night
Check Availability2. Follow The River RV Resort
"The store was super close by and there you are not too far from the nearest town. Super beautiful and spacious especially since you’re close to the river as well!"
"Nice pull through close to the pool and bathrooms. Quiet during the week."
3. Hartig Park & Wildlife Reserve
"This is an awesome quiet campground tucked away in northern KY along the Ohio River. There are 10-12 dispersed campsites with fire rings and picnic tables."
"The main road was nice to drive on, but the others were pretty rough. Had spots for hammocks, and the portopotty was well maintained. The spots were all pretty secluded. Great remote location!"
4. Oak Creek Campground
"We prefer site 18 which offers nice privacy and os next to a stream."
5. Northern Kentucky RV Park
"It was neat and orderly but right on I-75 and next to RR tracks . We pulled in right at dusk and left after we got up , so we didn’t have time to explore."
"And there was a bit of noise from highway and passing trains, but they weren't a big deal to us."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Camp Shore Campground
"Friendly location and the grounds are supervised so quiet in the evenings."
"It was a great weekend all around and we enjoyed our stay."
7. Away at Green Hill
"What a wonderful experience, Teri and Mike have a beautiful area tucked away in Northern KY. Plenty of space between campsites! We stayed at Henry's Holler. It's a 4x4 only site."
from $35 - $120 / night
8. General Butler State Resort Park
"Great little park located just far enough away to get away but close enough to town to run and get something if you forgot it. Campground is pretty compact but stays pretty quiet."
"Hiked the Butler Lake Trail with dogs this was a fun trail We tried to hike the Woodland Trail- unfortunately it had just rained for the few days before that and it was too sloppy for us and our dogs General"
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Beyonder Getaway Rising Sun
from $45 - $58 / night
Check Availability10. Clifty Falls State Park Campground
"If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget."
"No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr from Cincinnati, OH
- 1 hr 10 min from Louisville, KY
- 1 hr 32 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr 35 min from Lexington, KY
Recent Camping Photos near Patriot, IN
127 Photos of 90 Patriot Campgrounds
Taylor P.
Hartig Park & Wildlife Reserve
Elizabeth P.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
Bryan J.
Away at Green Hill
Alan B.
Follow The River RV Resort
Rodney L.
Northern Kentucky RV Park
Fred L.
General Butler State Resort Park
Chelsea M.
Two Rivers Campground
Mike F.
Versailles State Park Campground
Lindsey S.
Tucker's Landing
Marci R.
Three Springs Campground
Kirk T.
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Kirk T.
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Recent Reviews near Patriot, IN
609 Reviews of 90 Patriot Campgrounds
- Tara R.Ranger
Stonelick State Park Campground
One of our favorites!
10 out of 10. Site spread out. Shower/bath clean. Good playground. Great camp store Great trails Kayak rentals Lake is nice Nice bike riding Fishing spots close. Beach close bye
Paula S.
ScoutVersailles State Park Campground
Beware of additional daily Fee
Campground is clean but aging. Out-of-state visitors should be aware that they will be charged a $15.00 daily entry fee in addition to their $30-$40. camping fee. Some sights are very unlevel; others are nearly impossible to back into. The staff is nice and friendly.
- B
Bonnie G.ScoutWinton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park
Very nice campground
We enjoyed our stay at Winton Woods. There was not much shade in the site and it was scorching hot! The sites were roomy however. We had no problem pulling our 34ft trailer and truck in the site. We even had an extra car that fit in the lot with nothing hanging out. Lots were level. Bathhouses were clean. We only stayed for a couple days as we were passing through but it will definitely be an option if we pass through again.
- ddan H.
GuideThree Springs Campground
Somewhat run down & unkempt
Starting with the good, it is reasonably close to the freeway yet far enough away not to be bothered by road noise. Wi fi was mostly usable. Electrical power was stable. Estimate , if the park was probably half full of campers , some long term , some transit. Was quiet. On the other hand, the place was unmowed with grass 6 to 8 inches high throughout the entire facility. A zero turn mower set unused vext to the office. Some of the water spigots were broken and hoses were strewn about so that people could get it water from different spigots to different sites. What's the worst was the bathroom in showers. A couple of people here and said they were clean , but either there definition of clean was different , or they've been a significant lack of labor to keep them up. In the men's side, there was mold all along the floors at the caulking edges.There was wadded up wet toilet paper smashed on the wall of 2 of them.The ceilings were covered in old cobwebs and fresh spider nests. The floors were quite dirty. Over half of the sites aren't level, so if you use this place bring leveling chocks/plates for your tires if not hydraulically leveled. This facility has a great deal of potential with a bit of money and some elbow grease.
Gregory B.
TravelerMiami Whitewater Forest Campground
Raccoons and Dirty Bathrooms
We stayed at this campground and had several issues. Raccoons were a real problem—they kept trying to get into our tent, weren’t afraid of people, and caused a lot of havoc around the site. The showers and bathrooms were dirty, and the shower timer was frustratingly short at just 15 seconds. The campsites were also very small, which made the experience feel cramped.
- AA B.Scout
Still Waters Campground
Unprofessional management, Junkie sites, Not a welcoming environment
I would highly NOT recommend staying at Still Waters Campground based on my experience with management. Today I rolled through a stop sign in the campground. I understand that was my mistake, and I accepted being told not to do it again. However, what happened afterward was completely unnecessary. Instead of simply speaking with me later at the office or sending a text, management chose to chase me down in a vehicle. I was driving around the campground speed limit, yet I was accused of speeding because they claimed they had to drive 30 mph to catch me—even though they had to turn around before following me. What made it even more frustrating was that I was told to“lead by example” while the manager herself admitted to driving around 30 mph in a 10 mph campground just to catch up to me. That felt incredibly hypocritical. What bothered me most was the way the situation was handled. I tried to walk away to avoid escalating the confrontation, but the manager continued arguing with me. She even told me to“go get my boyfriend,” as if I couldn’t speak for myself. I’m a grown woman and didn’t appreciate being dismissed like that. Later, after I had calmed down, my boyfriend and I went to the office so I could apologize for raising my voice and explain my side of the situation. Unfortunately, management wasn’t interested in having a productive conversation and came across as condescending and unwilling to listen. It also seems like the rules are enforced inconsistently. We have watched plenty of other people roll through that same stop sign without being stopped or chased down. If safety is truly the concern, the rules should apply EQUALLY to everyone instead of selectively enforcing them. Overall, this experience left a VERY bad impression. A simple warning then walking away could have resolved everything, but instead it turned into an unnecessarily confrontational situation. Customer service and professionalism from management were extremely disappointing.
- JJennifer M.Traveler
Indian Springs Campground
Perfect for our Overnight Stay
We found this campground on The Dyrt and called when we were about an hour away. Super friendly folks who gave us a spot which was just right for us as we only needed an overnight stay on our way to Michigan.
- AAdam O.Traveler
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
If you are into bones this is a cool place to stay!
The reviews I’ve read are pretty accurate. Most sights are not very level. The water is too far away. Nice park, the trails are rugged, we walked uphill both ways. Trails are not well marked either, it’s an interesting feeling getting lost in such a small space. Restrooms/showers could use an update. But hey, we’re camping. Overall recommended.
Guide to Patriot
Camping near Patriot, Indiana provides access to the Ohio River valley's diverse landscapes, where elevation changes from 485 feet along the river to over 800 feet on surrounding ridges. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F, while summer camping season brings temperatures between 65-85°F with moderate humidity. Most campgrounds in this region remain accessible year-round despite seasonal weather variations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site: Located approximately 25 miles from Patriot, visitors can observe the resident bison herd. "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" notes camper Zoe S. The park also offers educational opportunities: "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip," according to Shelly S.
Hiking at Clifty Falls State Park: With multiple trails of varying difficulty, hikers can explore the park's unique geological features. "The best hike, in my opinion, was Trail 6 to 5, then down to 2, and back up to 5, finishing on Trail 4 at Hoffman Falls. Lots to see on that hike and not very crowded," recommends camper Kaley A. The park features several waterfalls accessible via interconnected trails.
Fishing at Northern Kentucky RV Park: The park offers a pond for fishing without leaving the campground. "We also had time to fish the large pond," reports Joe F. The grounds are well-maintained with newly developed recreational areas, including "a nice playground" according to reviewers.
What campers like
Secluded camping at Hartig Park & Wildlife Reserve: Campers appreciate the privacy and peaceful environment. "Great free camping. This property was great. Gravel roads and grass trails to the campsites. Evenings were quiet," says Lucas G. Another camper notes the site layout: "The sites are all pretty secluded," making this an ideal option for those seeking solitude.
Year-round accessibility at Follow The River RV Resort: Campers value the well-maintained grounds and consistent accessibility. "Very friendly staff. The bathrooms having regular working toilets and showers. The bathrooms are very nice. There is a pool, volleyball courts and a dog park," mentions Jessica G. The concrete pads provide stable setups regardless of weather conditions.
Educational opportunities at Big Bone Lick: Beyond camping, visitors appreciate the historical and natural exhibits. "There is a museum and playground located on the property. You will also find a lake and a field with bison. The pool is tiny. There is also miniature golf available," says Suzy M., highlighting the family-friendly amenities that complement the camping experience.
What you should know
Site levelness varies widely: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites that require preparation. At Clifty Falls State Park, one camper reported: "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work. Sore needed gravel, it was mostly sticky dirt that got tracked into our travel trailer immediately after sweeping."
Seasonal facility limitations: During cooler months, some amenities may be unavailable or limited. At Clifty Falls, "Bathrooms aren't heated in the cooler months" according to Kyle, who also noted "Zero cellular or wifi service so that could be good or bad."
Wildlife management concerns: At Away at Green Hill, visitors should be prepared for primitive camping conditions. "Note: there is no electric or water. Also pack out what you pack in," advises Bryan J. The remoteness attracts wildlife, making proper food storage essential.
Tips for camping with families
Educational activities: Big Bone Lick State Historic Site offers hands-on learning opportunities. "We love the orienteering course," shares Lynn G., adding that "This is not a destination for serious hiking, but is perfect for families. Nice for a quick stop on a road trip just to see the exhibits or for a weekend of simple camping."
Recreation options for different ages: General Butler State Resort Park provides diverse activities for family members. "The lodge lets campers use the pool 4-7 pm for free which is nice," notes Liz S., making it cost-effective for families with children.
Accessibility considerations for kids: At Camp Shore Campground, families appreciate the organized activities. "They were having their Christmas in July celebration. Great time for kids and adults. Very friendly locals," reports Kelly, highlighting the campground's family programming.
Tips from RVers
Utility challenges: Some RV sites have infrastructure limitations. At Northern Kentucky RV Park, RVers should be aware of train and highway noise: "The freeway traffic is very loud 24 hours and the train comes at least 2 times per night (2am and 5am Sunday night anyway) blowing its horn," warns Cari W.
Site selection considerations: Follow The River RV Resort offers concrete pads that RVers appreciate. "It is a VERY NICE campground! Mostly level concrete pads, nice picnic table & fire ring," notes Alan B., who also mentions the importance of bringing personal internet solutions: "We bring our own wifi (T-Mobile was fine)."
Accessibility for larger rigs: Some of the best places to camp near Patriot, Indiana have size restrictions. At Hartig Park, one camper advises: "Most smaller rigs won't have a problem, and we saw several cars on the narrow and rough gravel road." Reviewers recommend calling ahead to confirm site dimensions before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Patriot, IN?
Which is the most popular campground near Patriot, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Patriot, IN is Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 46 reviews.
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