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Best Campgrounds near Independence, KY

653 Reviews

The campground landscape surrounding Independence, Kentucky contains a mix of established sites with varying amenities and access types. Several campgrounds, including A.J. Jolly Park & Campground and Oak Creek Campground, serve both tent and RV campers, with facilities approximately 15-20 minutes from Independence proper. The area features concrete pad sites for larger RVs, primitive tent areas, and even some glamping options including yurts at A.J. Jolly Park. Most locations provide water and electric hookups, while a smaller number offer full hookup sites with sewer connections.

Seasonal operations affect availability at several campgrounds, with Big Bone Lick State Historic Site operating only from April through October, while others like Kincaid Lake State Park remain open year-round. The terrain around many sites requires careful consideration for larger rigs. One camper noted, "Sites are fairly close together, gravel, and level," though several reviews mention approach challenges at certain campgrounds. Road quality varies significantly between locations, with some premium sites having concrete pads while others maintain basic gravel surfaces. Reservation requirements are common, especially during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with several campgrounds offering lake or river views. A.J. Jolly Park provides lake access with fishing opportunities and boat rentals, while Tucker's Landing features Ohio River views where "kids enjoyed seeing the barges going up and down the river." The nearby landscape includes both wooded and open areas, with most developed sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Camper experiences vary widely by location and site selection, with those seeking more amenities generally preferring the state park campgrounds. Bath facilities receive mixed reviews, though newer bathhouses at certain campgrounds like A.J. Jolly are frequently mentioned as "super nice and clean" in feedback. Proximity to Cincinnati provides convenient access to urban amenities while still allowing for outdoor recreation experiences.

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Best Camping Sites Near Independence, Kentucky (92)

    1. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground

    45 Reviews
    Patriot, IN
    12 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
    25 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. A.J. Jolly Park & Campground

    11 Reviews
    Alexandria, KY
    10 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!"

    4. Oak Creek Campground

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

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

    5. Tucker's Landing

    8 Reviews
    Fort Thomas, KY
    12 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."

    6. Kincaid Lake State Park Campground

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

    $24 - $38 / 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"

    7. Winton Woods Campground

    23 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    22 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."

    8. Northern Kentucky RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamstown, KY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 428-2000

    $40 - $80 / night

    "Search Northern Kentucky RV Park for the correct website. We only stayed one night and came in after the office closed, but we had a great experience in the time that we were there."

    "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."

    9. Hartig Park & Wildlife Reserve - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    5 Reviews
    Patriot, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 567-5691

    "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!"

    10. Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park

    14 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    22 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Independence, KY

177 Photos of 92 Independence Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Independence, KY

653 Reviews of 92 Independence Campgrounds

  • Dave C.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Follow The River RV Resort

    Don't ask for a refund if you can't park there!

    The manager at this RV park assaulted me and snatched my iPhone out of my hand! Are you kidding me?? The video was edited(shortened) because these review sites won't allow anything more than 30 seconds. BUT what was said by both of us beforehand and afterwards doesn't matter. The fact is she's supposed to be the professional and she not only called me a"d*ck" and an"a**hole", but she proceeded to violently take my phone out of my hand and refused to give it back. I ultimately talked her into giving it back but WHO DOES THIS? She later actually punched me in the face. Yeah! Right in the face. But unfortunately, the video started and when she got on me, I guess I accidentally hit the stop button I was so scared. What was I scared of? Because, in the professions I've had, you learn that people are capable of anything. I didn't know if she was armed. I know I wasn't. I called 911 and am going to pursue the prosecution of her for assaulting a person over 60 yrs old, which is a felony. These types of animals do not need to be on our streets much less managing a nice RV park. This all came about because the sewer pipe on my motorhome is only 5" off the ground when parked. The lot she gave me has a sewer inlet pipe that sits over a foot off the ground meaning the feces would have to flow uphill to work. When I pointed this out, this manager said,"that's your problem, you'll have to figure it out". When I asked for a refund, she said no way and started in on my calling me vulger names(she did this several times). What professional person dealing with the public does this? She also refused to move me to another site saying she doesn't have any, but anyone can look around and see the park is not even half full- so, that's a lie. Annndddd, there's more! But I'll be posting every day on this site(and many others), so I’ll address more tomorrow and in the coming days and weeks.

  • 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!

  • Kyle J.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    High quality state park

    My only few gripes with this place. One all though the dnr staff is friendly I got pointed in the wrong direction 2 times about where to check in for camping. It is a very clean park. Just be sure if tent camping to hide your trash as wildlife is very brave to get up close and personal with your things

  • 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.

Guide to Independence

Camping near Independence, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful parks and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were really great! It was hot, but 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 enjoy the sights of 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. There was a tree for shade and plenty of space."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff at Kentucky Horse Park Campground. One camper noted, "The staff is friendly and the full hookup sites are a bit smaller, but overall a nice campground!"

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Hueston Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "There were partiers on both sides of us. Music blaring and yelling all night long."
  • Site Conditions: Not all sites are level. A camper at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground advised, "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 visitor 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 camper said, "The campground is clean, neat, with lots of wooded sites!"
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A family at Cowan Lake State Park Campground enjoyed the frisbee golf and lake activities.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Kentucky Horse Park Campground mentioned the camp store had ice cream and other essentials.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Lengths: Make sure to check the pad length at campgrounds like Stonelick State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Some sites are really short. Be sure to check the pad length."
  • Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. A visitor at Big Bone Lick State Park Campground noted, "Most of the sites will require some extra leveling."
  • Dump Station Access: Be aware of dump station locations. A camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station is a cluster and was a tight fit for the campers."

Camping around Independence, KY, offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful lakeside spots to family-friendly parks. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Independence, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Independence, KY is Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 45 reviews.

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