Camping options near Covington, Kentucky range from small private facilities to larger state parks within a 45-minute drive. The region sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers, with campgrounds scattered across the rolling hills of Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio. Most campgrounds in the area close between late October and early April due to freezing temperatures that typically range from 20°F to 40°F during winter months.
What to do
Fossil hunting: 1.7 miles away at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground, where visitors can learn about prehistoric animals. "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 miniture golf available. It's a fun place to hike and plenty to do in the area," notes Suzy M.
Disc golf: Short course located near Indian Springs Campground. "There was a nice walking trail around the lake. A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is a easy course great for beginners," explains Dan G., who visited Winton Woods.
Equestrian camping: Dedicated sites available at A.J. Jolly Park & Campground. "Stall accommodations are excellent, even include bedding. The camp Ranger/host, Larry?, was incredibly helpful and kind," reports Judy B., who appreciates the horse-friendly facilities.
Water activities: Multiple options for kayaking and fishing. "The campground is set in Winton Woods County Park which is about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati... Within walking distance of the campground is Winton Woods Lake which has a harbor with boathouse, snack bar, boat rentals and playgrounds," shares a visitor.
What campers like
River views: Waterfront sites at Tucker's Landing provide boat traffic entertainment. "Site 22 had a beautiful view of the ohio river. The kids enjoyed seeing the barges going up and down the river. It was very quiet and peaceful. Sites were very clean," reports Lindsey S.
Pool and recreation: Kid-friendly amenities at Oak Creek Campground include "Pool and new dog park with a very nice play area for the kids. We prefer site 18 which offers nice privacy and is next to a stream," according to Doug and Terri C.
Level concrete pads: Well-maintained sites at many campgrounds, especially for RVs. "Each plot also has it's own concrete slab for your RV, so you don't have to worry about parking in the mud," notes Daniel G. about Tucker's Landing.
Urban proximity with nature feel: Best of both worlds at Winton Woods Campground. "Very nice campground inside the urban loop in Cincinnati. Close to everything, yet quiet and secluded camping experience," shares Kenneth D.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Variable operating seasons impact availability. "We went the first weekend it was open this year and had a great experience. Stayed Friday-Sunday on a full hookup site against the woods," notes Kelli B. about East Fork State Park Campground.
Site levelness: Bring leveling equipment as many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "The sites I'm at are on a hillside so think theatrical style site. None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing to level your rig," warns Bobby C. about A.J. Jolly Park.
Lake access challenges: Distance varies between camping areas and water. "The State Park is on one side of the Lake and the Campground is on the other. There is no public road between the two. The campground is nice but it's an extremely long walking distance to the lake," explains Karen J. about East Fork State Park.
Reservation difficulty: Some campgrounds have complicated booking systems. "We needed to stay on a Monday night and tried all weekend to book a site online. Both the mobile site and the full website didn't work," reports a camper about Winton Woods.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits: Less crowded experience at popular parks. "When we were there over Labor Day weekend and it was a quiet park except for the occasional golf cart late at night going by," notes Andrea F. about East Fork State Park.
Educational opportunities: Fossil exhibits at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground offer learning experiences. "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip. A good interactive grade school age children campground," recommends Shelly S.
Activity planning: Multiple recreation options at state parks. "This park is super convenient if you're planning on going to the ark encounter and the creation museum because it's about 30-45 minutes in either direction. Our kids enjoyed the playgrounds, the mini golf, the museum, and the trails to see the salt springs and the bison," shares Tiffany D.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas. "There are playgrounds in several loops (I saw them in C and G)," notes a visitor to East Fork State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research campground layouts for the best experience. "All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Some sites have more trees to provide privacy while others are closer together with little separation," advises Lee D. about East Fork State Park.
Full hookups: Limited availability at Stonelick State Park Campground. "There are a number of good sites, but some with a significant slope that leveling would be an issue. There are a few sites close to the water but are more compact. Plenty of well kept restrooms spread throughout the camping area," notes Craig C.
Pull-through options: Better for larger rigs at several campgrounds. "Level pull-thru spots. Staff is very nice. Only stayed 2 nights. Great for passing through the area," shares Jerry S. about Indian Springs Campground.
Water/electric positioning: Be prepared for unusual setups at certain parks. "Water hook ups are on the opposite side of electrical on several sites," warns Jeffrey about A.J. Jolly Park & Campground.
