Buck Creek State Park Campground offers a mix of camping options near Beavercreek, Ohio, with both electric and non-electric sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins. The campground features level, grassy sites with partial shade from mature trees and well-maintained facilities including clean showers with warm water. The nearby reservoir provides multiple recreation opportunities while the non-electric loop tends to be quieter and less crowded, especially during weekdays.
What to do
Hiking trails: Buck Creek State Park Campground has several marked trails where wildlife viewing is common. According to one camper, "Lots of things to do in the area. We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids."
Mountain biking: Hueston Woods State Park Campground has trails specifically designed for mountain biking. One reviewer noted, "I've came here before to swim in the lake and walk the trails, but there was much much more to do there! You can camp, fish, golf, hunt, bridle trails and so much more!"
River activities: Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure has river access for personal watercraft and rentals. A visitor shared, "We loved the fact that we were able to bring our own canoes. The price us also very reasonable. Our campsite was beautiful, with an amazing view of White Water River."
Swimming beaches: Buck Creek State Park Campground provides access to two swimming areas. As one camper explained, "There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers generous camping areas. A camper mentioned, "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."
Quiet areas: Buck Creek State Park Campground has dedicated areas for peace and seclusion. One reviewer shared, "I was looking for a backcountry camping site that would give me some privacy and make it feel as though I was deep in the woods. Buckcreek had great hammock camping spots."
Cul-de-sac layouts: Several campgrounds feature sections with circular designs. At Hueston Woods State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Nice cul-de-sac areas for groups with areas for kids to play. Ground is pretty level so bringing a bike for kids to ride on is nice."
Nature programming: State parks in the region offer educational opportunities. According to one camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground, "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail."
What you should know
Limited shade: Some campgrounds have lost tree cover. A Cowan Lake State Park Campground visitor observed, "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees."
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds change services based on time of year. Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins operates from April 15 to October 31, while Beechwood Acres Camping Resort runs April 1 through October 31.
Site selection importance: Campground layouts vary significantly. One Stonelick State Park Campground visitor warned, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Varying bathroom facilities: Quality and location of restrooms differ. A Buck Creek camper shared, "The bathroom was perfectly adequate but a long walk from our site," while at another camping loop, a different visitor found "Bathrooms were clean but not spotless and in need of a little repair."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, a reviewer reported, "The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious."
Movie nights: Some campgrounds offer evening entertainment. A Morgan's Riverside Campground visitor noted, "Every night there was a movie and you could buy root beer floats for $1!! And the kids loved it."
Biking opportunities: Paved trails provide safe riding areas for children. One camper at Buck Creek State Park Campground explained, "My sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes."
Educational activities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. As one visitor to Cowan Lake State Park Campground shared, "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity options: Internet access varies by location. At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, a camper reported, "Internet here on t-moble 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."
Utility placement challenges: Some sites have awkward hookup locations. One Cedarbrook Campground visitor warned, "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."
Drive distances: Access points may be further than expected. A Buck Creek State Park Campground visitor noted, "It was a bit of a drive back into the campground, probably 3 1/2 miles."
Glamping close to Beavercreek: For those seeking luxury camping near Beavercreek, Ohio, Beechwood Acres Camping Resort offers unique yurt accommodations. A visitor described it as "a great place to take the kids. They have an in-ground pool, a small store for camping needs, firewood delivery and propane refills."
