Camping near Amelia, Ohio offers a mix of paved and rustic experiences within a region dominated by several watersheds. The area sits between the Little Miami River and East Fork Lake, placing most campgrounds at elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level with seasonal water level fluctuations affecting campsite access. Water management projects throughout the region create numerous reservoir-based recreation opportunities where fishing and paddling remain popular from April through October.
What to do
Fishing access: East Fork State Park Campground features multiple lake fishing locations with varying depths. "The lake is nice you can rent kayaks canoes. Or use your own boat. The boat ramp is nice," notes one reviewer about the access points available beyond the standard beach areas.
Mountain biking: Jim Terrell Park connects to a 1.2-mile mountain biking trail adjacent to the campground. "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," explains one visitor about this lesser-known trail option.
Golfing: Kincaid Lake State Park Campground offers both mini-golf and full-size golfing options. "Golf (both full size and mini) and fishing seem to be the main attraction, there are also sports fields, a pool, and some short hiking trails," reports one camper about the diverse recreation options.
Kayak launching: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for personal watercraft. "The campground is set on a lake with a kayak launch site right in the campground. I like the fact that there is a walking/bike path throughout the park," mentions a visitor to Winton Woods Campground regarding the convenient access.
What campers like
Electric sites with shade: The mix of amenities and natural settings draws positive feedback. "Sites situated near lakes and reservoirs typically book earliest, especially during peak summer months," with one camper noting specifically about Stonelick State Park Campground: "Nice big sites, fairly level. We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little... The trail to the lake was right next to the site and that was lovely."
Pollinators and wildlife areas: Several campgrounds maintain natural areas that support local ecosystems. "Despite the rain and the wind we had a great time! Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water," reports a visitor about their experience at Stonelick Lake.
Historic sites: Educational opportunities abound in the region. "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," mentions one visitor about Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, adding "We love the live bison."
Riverside camping: Several locations provide waterfront access on both lakes and rivers. "Site 22 had a beautiful view of the ohio river. The kids enjoyed seeing the barges going up and down the river," reports one visitor to Tucker's Landing about this unique camping experience.
What you should know
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature challenging terrain. "None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing to level your rig," explains one camper about sites at A.J. Jolly Park, while another notes "It would have been nice for the gentleman on the phone to tell me that when I was booking. Instead we struggled to get into and out of our site."
Limited privacy between sites: Space constraints affect several campgrounds. "Sites are a bit small and some close together but the park offers a lot," mentions one camper about Big Bone Lick State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Despite proximity to Cincinnati, connectivity can be unreliable. "One final note: 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 a visitor about East Fork State Park.
Permit requirements: Some areas require advance registration through local authorities. "You have to go into town to book it or have a police officer register you. The local office is open Mondays thru Friday (8:30 - 4:30 PM)," explains a visitor to Jim Terrell Park about the sometimes confusing registration process.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Several parks offer various play areas across their grounds. "The nature center offered movies in the evening for guest... Playgrounds are in several loops (I saw them in C and G)," reports a visitor about East Fork State Park regarding the entertainment options.
Educational wildlife viewing: Animal exhibits provide learning opportunities. "Amazing views of the water and surrounding wooded areas... Great place to swim during daytime hours, just remember to use caution and don't go out of designated area," notes one reviewer about opportunities at A.J. Jolly Park & Campground.
Halloween celebrations: Seasonal events can affect campground atmosphere. "When we reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site. What we did not know is that there was a HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground," explains a visitor about their October experience at East Fork.
Splash pads and swimming: Water features remain popular during warmer months. "Splash pad, pavilion, playground, Gaga pit, and dog park are a few of the great amenities. Each lot has a fire pit and the lots are large. They do activities for the kids every weekend and also have bands!" reports a visitor about The Landing at Bear Creek.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads and leveling: Site surface types vary significantly between parks. "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds. Some trails but not a lot else to see. Close to food and shopping areas," notes one camper about Winton Woods Campground, highlighting the convenience of prepared sites.
Hookup locations: The placement of utilities can create challenges. "Water hook ups are on the opposite side of electrical on several sites," reports one RVer about inconsistent utility placement at certain campgrounds, requiring longer hoses and cords.
Dump station access: Not all parks offer on-site sewer hookups. "They have a dump station situated in between the entry road to the Flatwood RV section and equestrian area," notes one camper about the facilities at A.J. Jolly Park.
Reservation systems: Online booking can be challenging at some locations. "We needed to stay on a Monday night and tried all weekend (Sat and Sun before) to book a site online. Both the mobile site and the full website didn't work," explains one RVer about their experience with Hamilton County Park's reservation system.
