Best Campgrounds near Covington, KY

Campgrounds near Covington, Kentucky span both Kentucky and Ohio, with several established sites within a 30-minute drive of the city. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground in Union, Kentucky offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups, showers, and drinking water, while Winton Woods Campground in Cincinnati provides cabin options alongside traditional camping. The area features a mix of state parks, county parks, and private campgrounds, with most offering developed sites that include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with many sites operating from April through October. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is open seasonally from April 1 to October 31, while others like East Fork State Park Campground remain open year-round. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The terrain varies from lakeside settings to wooded areas, with some campgrounds offering water recreation opportunities on lakes and rivers. A visitor noted, "Winton Woods campground has spacious paved RV spaces with full hook-ups, fire ring, and picnic table. They also have cabin and tent camping. The location is located on the lake with access to put in a kayak or canoe."

Campers report high satisfaction with water-based recreation opportunities at several sites. East Fork State Park Campground and Winton Woods both provide boat access, with Winton Woods featuring a harbor with boat rentals and snack bar. Many campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities and offer family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and hiking trails. One camper shared, "The park has a nice 'campground' feel set in large pine trees and wide sites but has 50-amp full hook-up sites." Several reviews mention the convenience of being close to urban amenities while still enjoying a natural setting. Visitors particularly appreciate campgrounds with paved walking and biking trails, with Winton Woods receiving praise for its tall pines that create a western forest atmosphere despite being in an urban park setting.

Best Camping Sites Near Covington, Kentucky (94)

    1. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground

    45 Reviews
    Patriot, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 384-3522

    $35 / night

    "There’s also some hiking and biking trails accessible from the main turnoff from the highway, so there’s plenty to do in the area if you’re stopping on through or staying a few days."

    "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."

    2. East Fork State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Concord, OH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 734-2730

    $29 - $30 / night

    "Our favorite campsite for the outskirts of Cincinnati. Lots of great spots available! You can get to the lake in about a 15 minute drive."

    "However I decided to focus on the positive. The trees are big and mature. The restrooms extremely clean, the shower a pressure washer. All good things in my book."

    3. Winton Woods Campground

    23 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    16 miles
    Website

    "Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks. 1.7 mile paved walking trail is great for walking, running and biking. A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by."

    "The location is located on the lake with access to put in a kayak or canoe. The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls."

    4. Tucker's Landing

    8 Reviews
    Fort Thomas, OH
    6 miles
    Website

    $25 - $54 / night

    "Not much in the surrounding area."

    "This place sits beautifully near the river and other than some bugs is family fun for everyone."

    5. A.J. Jolly Park & Campground

    11 Reviews
    Alexandria, KY
    12 miles
    Website

    "Amazing place for the price and proximity to the city!! Just wish there was more hiking trails"

    "Close to Cincinnati but each site is wooded and on lake front , lots to do!"

    6. Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park

    14 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 851-2267

    $43 - $73 / night

    "The campground fills up fast and there were plenty of shaded electric sites close to the lake. There were also plenty of pull through sites for the big rigs."

    "Playground and walk path well kept."

    7. Oak Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Union, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 485-9131

    "We prefer site 18 which offers nice privacy and os next to a stream."

    8. Kincaid Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Falmouth, KY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 654-3531

    $20 - $30 / night

    "We were THRILLED to leave our cicada-infested northern Kentucky home and find that this park was blissfully free of Brood X cicadas. It was so peaceful, and we were able to fully enjoy the outdoors."

    "Primitive tent camping is back in its own little part of the park near the lake (there are a few lakeside sites if you have a small kayak or raft to use while there) and while we liked the privacy the"

    9. Stonelick State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Goshen, OH
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 625-6593

    "Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water. My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean."

    "Couldn't be happier, nice site, nice bathhouse, lake side, wooded, nice people 👍. A hidden getaway."

    10. Indian Springs Campground

    8 Reviews
    Greendale, OH
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 353-9244

    "It sat at one end of our site but right up against the site next to us, so trying to sit around a campfire would have been a little awkward. There wasn't any shade on the pull thru sites."

    "There are showers, an awesome library, a store, laundry and walking trails"

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Recent Reviews near Covington, KY

624 Reviews of 94 Covington Campgrounds


  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Stonelick State Park Campground

    Big sites but can be loud and crowded

    Nice big sites, fairly level. We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little. First night the shower house STUNK but then the next day it smelled fine while our closest bathrooms were out of order. The trail to the lake was right next to the sit and that was lovely.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Jim Terrell Park

    Looks Good!

    8/13/2025

    NOTE: I did NOT stay here. I was going to, but decided to drive a little farther than I had initially planned. I did want to check it out though because there aren't many reviews. 

    This looks like a solid option to tent for a night though. The town looks very nice and quiet, and the park seems well-kempt. If the sites are on the river, just know there's a restaurant on the opposite bank that might be a source of noise/light at night, and the park itself is kind of close to the road. I'm not exactly sure where one would tent, but there did seem to be some flat space behind a rafting/kayaking shack to the left as you pull in.

  • Rhonda B.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    The Landing at Bear Creek RV Park

    Best full time campground on the Ohio River!

    We are full-time RVers and this is by far the best park we've stayed at! It's peaceful and beautiful, everyone (especially Management) is so friendly and fun! The laundry facility is one of the greatest amenities as we've stayed other places without one, so we truly appreciate it! The splash pad is fantastic for children and adults alike! There's a dog park, and a kids kangaroo jump pad as well. The view of the river is beautiful! On weekends there's entertainment and/or cornhole tournaments to bring everyone together. The park is maintained perfectly and I've enjoyed calling it home! By far the best park in Southern Clermont County! Must see!

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Sizeable Site, Good for Families

    We stayed in Site 78. The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included.

    There was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun. Some sites were much larger than others.

    The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean. I didn't check out any bath houses.

    The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious. Plenty of dogs were present.

    We'll return next summer.

  • Robert H.
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Northern Kentucky RV Park

    Nice place to stay on the way price is priced accordingly on the high side

    Very nice attendant helpful even tried to help me find a lower priced campground but the others were full

  • K
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Cedarbrook Campground

    Wonderful stay w one hiccup

    This is a very well managed and maintain campground except the laundry facility. Washers are old and bed bugs were found. If you stick to your own camper you will be safe. Any campground that has cabins will have bedbugs. That’s a fact!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Indian Springs Campground

    Nice campground, well cared for

    The spaces are gravel and level. The campground is mostly RV with a few private apartments/houseboat.

    Quiet, most all of the waterfront sites were taken. We took a chance on last minute reservations and there were plenty of pull through spots. Easy to setup.

    Checkin/out no problem. They have a code for gate entry.

    Bathhouse bathrooms are date but clean. A bit on small side, not very comfortable.

    There is not much common area for grass/waterside…kinda feel like your in someone’s spot/yard area.

    There is a playground for young kids.

    About 30 minutes from downtown Cincinnati…easy to get to a game.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    General Butler State Resort Park

    Been going there for years. Sites are tight, but well ran park.

    Clean, professional campground. Sites loops are tight but people with big fifth wheels were able to manage just fine. The fish were biting the weekend I was there!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Thousand Trails Indian Lakes

    Needs new management

    Terrible management. Pics are outdated and most everything is run down. Only one pool open during short hours. No gas station, no slide, nasty lake water & nobody takes the trash/dumpsters out. Completely inundated with annual spots being reserved by weekend warriors meaning minimal availability for people who want to be here during the week. There are SEVERAL dozen spots available and we were told if the spot we got didn’t work we could pick something else. At 8pm during dinner we were disturbed by a park ranger and forced to move to a spot half the size with no hookups. She literally brought us to an overflow area that our rig doesn’t fit in. She made us pack up our entire camp site to move so someone else could have the spot, even though there were MULTIPLE spots available. Had to be extremely persistent to get a FHU spot only to see dozens continue to be available for the rest of our 2 week stay.

    They also charge you $5 per package to pick up your own mail from the building and $10 for a key card to access the park. Management is certainly skimming off of customers here. Will travel further to another TT campground to avoid this place in the future.


Guide to Covington

Camping near Covington, KY, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were really great! The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."
  • Fishing: Head to Cowan Lake State Park Campground for some fishing. A camper shared, "The lake was beautiful with the ability to rent kayaks."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Big Bone Lick State Park Campground, you can spot bison and other wildlife. One reviewer noted, "A well-groomed campground surrounded by a museum, bison prairie, hiking trails & other outdoor activities."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Caesar Creek State Park Campground. One visitor said, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at East Fork State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Neighbors weren’t sitting on top of one another."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground rave about the staff. One camper said, "The campground was very well maintained with a very kind and attentive staff."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground warned, "Don’t go here if you expect peace and quiet."
  • Site Conditions: Not all sites are level. A visitor at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Most tent sites are not very level, it can be a bit tough with larger tents."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Stonelick State Park Campground, may have limited amenities. A camper noted, "The showers are low power and I only had about 6 minutes of hot water."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Winton Woods Campground, which has a playground nearby. One parent said, "The park is clean, neat, with lots of wooded sites!"
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Frisbee golf was onsite too."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Kentucky Horse Park Campground enjoyed the camp store, saying, "The camp store had ice cream and other camping essentials."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Lengths: Make sure to check the pad length before booking. A camper at Stonelick State Park Campground advised, "Some sites are really short."
  • Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks, especially if you're staying at places like Hueston Woods State Park Campground, where some sites have slopes. A reviewer noted, "Limited level campground with full and electric hookups."
  • Dump Station Access: Be aware of dump station locations. A visitor at Big Bone Lick State Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station has 2 stations, one requires circling back through the campground after use."

Camping near Covington, KY, has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there good tent camping and fishing spots near Covington, KY?

The Covington area offers several excellent options for tent camping combined with fishing. A.J. Jolly Park & Campground provides lakeside tent sites with good fishing opportunities in its 200-acre lake. Stonelick State Park Campground is another great choice, featuring tent sites near a small pollinator trail leading directly to the water, making it convenient for anglers. The park maintains clean facilities and is family-friendly. Additional options include Jim Terrell Park along the Little Miami River for primitive camping and fishing, and East Fork State Park which offers both tent sites and excellent fishing in one of Ohio's largest lakes. Most of these locations require reservations, especially during peak summer months.

What RV parks and pull-through campsites are available near Covington, KY?

Two Rivers Campground offers excellent RV accommodations near Covington, featuring full hookup sites with about half being pull-through. All sites are on level pads with adjoining concrete areas and picnic tables. Located close to I-71 and adjacent to the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers, it provides convenient access. Indian Springs Campground is another solid option with level pull-through full hookup sites spacious enough for tow vehicles. Other RV-friendly options include Northern Kentucky RV Park with neat, shaded grounds and playground facilities, and Three Springs Campground which offers excellent access for visiting the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum. Most RV parks in the area provide water, electric, and sewer hookups, though availability can be limited during peak season.

Where are the best campgrounds near Covington, KY?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive from Covington. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground offers a family-friendly environment with mini golf, swimming pool, and accessible hiking trails. Just across the Ohio River, Winton Woods Campground provides level sites with plenty of shade, a 1.7-mile paved trail perfect for walking or biking, and fishing opportunities. Other noteworthy options include A.J. Jolly Park for its lakeside setting, Two Rivers Campground with its convenient interstate access, and Cowan Lake State Park which offers a strategic location between Cincinnati and Columbus. Most campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities.