Glamping near Bellbrook, Ohio offers access to the Little Miami River watershed, situated in the glaciated region of southwestern Ohio with elevations around 800-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F, with cooler nights creating ideal camping conditions from May through October. The area features a mix of mature woodlands and open meadows across the gently rolling terrain.
What to do
Kayak the Little Miami River: At Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure, water activities dominate. "Morgan's is amazing! They have been around for a few generations and 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," notes Carolyn M.
Explore hiking trails: Cowan Lake State Park offers multiple nature trails with educational features. "The trails here are easy and short. 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 me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," shares Kenpocentaur K.
Take a night paddle: Experience the water in a different way with moonlight excursions. "A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful," explains a Cowan Lake visitor. Evening paddling typically starts around 7-8pm during summer months.
Visit Fort Ancient: Located near several glamping sites, this historic earthwork is one of Ohio's most significant archaeological sites. "This site is close to King's Island and Fort Ancient. It also was next to a bike trail," reports a camper at Morgan's Canoe.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA receives praise for its bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks," shares Brian B.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizing at several locations. At Riverside Campground, visitors enjoy the room to spread out: "The campsites are sooo large and spread out from each other, at least in the back, we had fun no matter. The bathrooms are well kept, showers are very nice and hot," explains Amanda S.
Nature viewing: Wildlife spotting opportunities abound throughout the region. "Deer sighting were plentiful as were chattering tree rats...ahem, squirrels, sorry. Woodpeckers stayed busy overhead," notes Dave V. about his stay at Hueston Woods State Park.
Heated pools: Several glamping destinations maintain pools for guests. At Beechwood Acres Camping Resort, "The pool is heated and large enough for everyone to spread out. There are 5 showers and a set of bathrooms close by the pool. All of which were VERY clean," according to Amy H.
What you should know
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant noise on weekends. "Traffic noise is noticeable, especially during quiet hours. While not excessive, it's disruptive," notes Dave V. about his experience at Hueston Woods.
Water level changes: River locations can experience flooding. "The Army Corps of Engineers decided to let water out of the dam up river, so it was flooded for a couple days," explains Amanda S. at Riverside Campground. Check water levels before booking river sites.
Variable site conditions: Buck Creek State Park Campground has diverse camping areas. "The grounds are level and grassy, with trees that provide partial shade. Restrooms are clean enough, and there are showers with nice warm water," reports Amanda P. about the tent areas.
Seasonal events: Halloween weekends are particularly popular and may require advance booking. "Third year attending this weekend for Halloween. I never decorate for Halloween but with everything going on in 2020 I said what the heck," shares Sallie M. about her Lebanon-Cincinnati KOA experience.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated play areas: Several campgrounds feature kid-specific activities. "The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious," notes Kim H. about her Cowan Lake experience.
Choose cul-de-sac sites: These provide safer spaces for children to play. "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. There is a playground in walking distance too," recommends Renée C. at Cowan Lake State Park.
Consider cabin options: Cabins provide security with young children near water. "We were a little nervous as the cabin is so close the river. This is part of the charm but when you have a 3 year old in your group then it is smart to keep an extra sharp eye on the kiddo as the river is a huge draw," advises Kenpocentaur K.
Plan for community activities: Some campgrounds organize family-friendly events. At Beechwood Acres, "They also host events and if you check their event calendar on their website, you can see what's going on during your stay. We were fortunate enough to see the band Timestamp and loved it! They even had a community bonfire!" shares Chaz C.
Tips from RVers
Check entry road width: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. At Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA, "The entry road is one lane. If you meet another vehicle someone has to back up. That's just poor design," cautions Joel R.
Reserve level sites: Uneven sites can create setup challenges. "A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides. Site 60, 46 feet max length, ours 39," explains Johnothan R. about Cowan Lake State Park.
Connectivity options vary: Internet access differs significantly between locations. "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," details Johnothan R. about his connectivity at Cowan Lake.
Verify hookup positions: Some sites have unusual utility placements. "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," warns Daniel G. about Cedarbrook Campground.
