Campsites near Fort Thomas, Kentucky range from paved RV parks to rustic tent grounds. The Ohio River and surrounding watersheds create options for waterfront camping within 15-40 minutes of Fort Thomas. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 500-850 feet, with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures. Winter camping is available at select year-round facilities, though water hookups are typically winterized from November through March.
What to do
Kayak at Jim Terrell Park: This small camping area in Milford provides direct river access for paddlers. "The campsite is tucked away as in across the street from the bike trail. As a Milford native, I didn't even know it was here for a long time," notes one camper at Jim Terrell Park.
Visit the bison at Big Bone Lick: Located 30 minutes from Fort Thomas, this historic site features live bison viewing opportunities. "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" shares a visitor at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site.
Mountain bike the trails: Jim Terrell Park offers a 1.2-mile mountain biking trail adjacent to its camping area. According to a local camper, "What you may not realize is right next to the campground is a mountain biking trail that is 1.2 miles long... I don't bike this trail as that would not be wise with my coordination skills. However, I have hiked it several times."
Try orienteering courses: Several parks offer mapped courses for navigation practice. One camper at Big Bone Lick mentioned, "Loved the orienteering course" as a surprise highlight of their visit, making it an educational activity option for visitors.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads at riverside sites: Tucker's Landing offers paved RV sites with river views. "Each spot had plenty of space for activities. Each plot also has it's own concrete slab for your RV, so you don't have to worry about parking in the mud," explains a camper at Tucker's Landing. Another notes the "Clean, new and level. Great river views."
Proximity to urban amenities: Campers appreciate the balance between nature and city access. "This is a great county park! It has a nice 'campground' feel set in large pine trees and wide sites but has 50-amp full hook-up sites. The campground is set in Winton Woods County Park which is about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati," notes a visitor.
Family-friendly playgrounds: Miami Whitewater Forest gets high marks for its play areas. "What a great place to have our first camping experience with our children! Each site came with a fire ring and picnic table bench... There's an absolutely wonderful playground inside the campground and lots of trails and paddle boats by the harbor," shares a camper at Miami Whitewater Forest Campground.
Urban camping with natural setting: Several campgrounds balance city proximity with forest settings. "Very nice campground inside the urban loop in Cincinnati. Close to everything, yet quiet and secluded camping experience," notes one Winton Woods visitor.
What you should know
Limited tent-friendly sites at some locations: While many campgrounds accommodate tents, some sites are better suited than others. A camper at East Fork State Park notes, "While tent camping is permitted, certain sites are not recommended for it as there would be no place to pitch a tent."
Electrical charges at some campgrounds: Some locations have additional fees beyond the site rental. A visitor to Tucker's Landing points out, "They charge extra for electrical usage. They have one washer and dyer coin laundry."
Seasonal bathroom closures: Winter campers should note that facilities may be limited. "Not all loops have their own bath house," observes a visitor at East Fork State Park Campground.
Variable cell coverage: Despite proximity to urban areas, reception varies significantly. "For a park so close to a large city (Cincinnati), I was surprised the cell service was so lacking (on Verizon). We eked out one and occasionally two bars of 4G," reports an East Fork camper.
Tips for camping with families
Book lakefront sites early: Waterfront camping spots fill quickly throughout the season. "There are few campsites right on the water for fishing reserve early! The grounds are well kept, clean well lit restrooms," advises a camper at Kincaid Lake State Park.
Visit educational displays: Several parks offer learning opportunities. "This is a small and simple park with a lot of opportunities to learn. There are a lot of little trails that criss cross each other and a lot of informational signs and a little museum. This is not a destination for serious hiking, but is perfect for families," notes a Big Bone Lick visitor.
Consider the noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. A visitor to A.J. Jolly Park observed, "This Campground is Fantastic. My Wife and I camped here for the first time last September 2019, we Camped in a tent and it was just Beautiful there."
Try the yurts: For families new to camping, A.J. Jolly offers alternative accommodations. The park features "tent camping, RV sites, and glamping yurts" for those seeking a more structured shelter option.
Tips from RVers
Look for full hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup options. "Winton Woods Campground was a clean and quiet campground that we were pleasantly surprised to find... There were also plenty of pull through sites for the big rigs," notes an RVer at Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park.
Check site length and levelness: Many campgrounds have challenging grades. A camper at Stonelick State Park notes, "This park is very clean and well maintained... Sites are a bit small (in length) and ours (49) was very un-level, and worst of all had no shade at all."
Consider site orientation for awnings: Some sites are configured in ways that challenge setup. One camper at A.J. Jolly Park explained, "Pad are about 12 x12 concrete so that's a plus but the location of the pads if you want to use your RV awning means your wheels in what ever your using are going to be nearly off the level area or in the grass."
Pack extra leveling blocks: Uneven sites are common at several area campgrounds. "I'm in a class a 35 foot motorhome. None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing to level your rig," advises another A.J. Jolly Park camper.
