Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park provides year-round camping options located 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. The campground features both full-hookup RV sites with paved pads and electric-only spots nestled among trees by the lake. During winter months, campers find reduced rates and a quieter atmosphere with plowed pull-through sites, while tent campers have access to oversized gravel spots with nearby hiking trails and water access.
What to do
Biking and hiking trails: The campground connects to miles of paved trails perfect for exploring the park. At Stonelick State Park Campground, visitors discover "nice trails for hiking or taking a cruise on your bike" with trails that offer "amazing views of the water and surrounding wooded areas."
Disc golf course: A beginner-friendly disc golf course is available within the park. "A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is an easy course great for beginners," notes a visitor from Winton Woods Campground.
Canoeing and kayaking: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer water sports equipment rentals and river access. At Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure, "they provide canoeing, rafting, and kayaking at different trip lengths for a great price. There are plenty of spots along the beautiful Little Miami River Valley to pull your canoe off to the side and sit and hang out."
What campers like
Urban proximity with nature feel: The location provides wilderness experience without long travel times. A camper at Hamilton County Park Winton Woods Campground describes it as having "plenty to do. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, splash park, etc. Campground was super clean and quiet. Bathhouses were very clean."
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal parks, Winton Woods offers year-round availability. "We stayed here while traveling back home from the Smoky Mountains. It is a beautiful site but unfortunately we were not able to enjoy it. Great open sites, lots of walking and hiking available, full hook ups," notes a winter visitor.
Spacious sites: Many area campgrounds feature larger-than-average camping spots. At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, "the lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included."
What you should know
Electric-only vs. full-hookup sites: Site amenities vary throughout the park. A camper at Cedarbrook Campground notes that "sewage, water, and electrical were all easily accessible. The only odd feature was the placement of the sewage. If you're not careful you can easily park your RV on top of the drain, so keep an eye out for it."
Seasonal differences: Winter camping requires preparation for potential snow. One camper reported that "none of the back-in sites had been plowed! All of the pull-through sites were plowed and there were plenty open... Instead we struggled to get into and out of our site and had to walk very carefully around our RV when hooking up and disconnecting."
Reservation system: Some campgrounds require advance planning. "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. There's a number listed to call 'if you're having trouble booking online', but of course the office was closed all weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: Multiple play areas are available throughout the park. "The campground is set in Winton Woods County Park which is about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. There are 123 campsites including RV sites, tent pads, and camping cabins."
Bike-friendly atmosphere: The paved trails are ideal for children learning to ride. "The paved trail around the lake was great for walking/jogging and perfect for launching our kayaks," shared a visitor.
Splash park access: Summer visitors can enjoy water play areas. "Winton woods is a fun place to go with the family. There are playgrounds, trails, boat rentals, Parkys farm which is fun for little ones! We love it!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for best experience: Different loops offer varying amenities. "Full-hookups have little to no shade. Sites are pretty close together and small, but standard for a county Park. The electric sites are nice. Reasonable amount of shade in most," reports one RVer.
Connectivity options: Staying connected is possible even while glamping close to Blue Ash, Ohio. "Internet here on t-mobile 5G home is 90Mbps down and 6 to 20Mbps up. Verizon on cellphone, only 10Mbs down, 1-3Mbps up. ATT cellphones are similar to Verizon. Great enough for work or play."
Back-in versus pull-through considerations: Site access varies by section. "Sites in the front section (1F – 25F and 1R – 12R) are big rig-friendly with paved roads wide enough to easily maneuver. All utilities worked accordingly and were well-placed in the site."
