Camping spots near Cedarville, Ohio range from primitive tent sites to full-service campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 1,050 feet above sea level in the gently rolling terrain of southwestern Ohio, with camping areas positioned along waterways including the Little Miami River. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season from May through September, with spring and fall offering milder temperatures but occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: John Bryan State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems connecting to Clifton Gorge. "Absolutely love it here. So mainly beautiful trails and springs. Great camping areas too," notes one camper. The park features multiple difficulty levels for hikers of all abilities.
Fossil hunting: Caesar Creek State Park Campground permits fossil collection with a free permit from the visitor center. "We also went to a nearby pioneer village. We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," writes a visitor. The fossil-rich limestone beds contain specimens dating back 450 million years.
Water recreation: Narrows Reserve provides river access for cooling off during hot summer months. "Nice river/creek access to cool off," mentions a camper. The site has a kayak launch and rope swing accessible about halfway between the parking area and primitive campsites.
Mountain biking: Buck Creek State Park Campground offers trails directly accessible from camping areas. "My sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes," reports a regular visitor. The park maintains several miles of designated biking paths suitable for various skill levels.
What campers like
Proximity to Yellow Springs: John Bryan State Park Campground sits just minutes from the eclectic town of Yellow Springs. "I love everything about John Bryan State Park and the surrounding town. Not only is there a great place to camp and hike, there is a cute little hippie town not too far away!" shares a satisfied camper.
Spacious campsites: Cowan Lake State Park Campground provides generous site dimensions for group activities. "The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included," notes a recent visitor. Site 78 specifically received positive mentions for its size.
Private fishing access: Sky Lake Resort and Fishing offers multiple lakes for anglers. "It's a beautiful property, well maintained, and easy to make a reservation," comments a camper. The resort features several small fishing lakes spread throughout the property.
Clean facilities: Buck Creek State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Showers were very nice and clean. Several water spickets throughout the park if you needed to access them," reports a camper from a Labor Day weekend stay.
What you should know
Limited shade at some parks: Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers minimal tree cover at many sites. "These sites have plenty of space between them. But there isn't a lot of shade. Partial shade is very generous for the B Loop," advises a visitor who appreciates the spaciousness but found sun exposure challenging.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly after dark. At John Bryan, vault toilets are "spacious with hand sanitizer by the doors" but campers should be aware of local wildlife activity.
Walk-in primitive camping: Jacoby Road Canoe Launch requires a 1.25-mile hike to primitive sites. "Camp was in a meadow at the end of about an hour walk in. Literally campsite is on top of trails and meadow provides no shade," notes one camper. The site costs $5 per night with limited amenities.
Water quality concerns: Some swimming areas have murky conditions. "It's beach area is just mud and murky water," warns a Caesar Creek visitor, suggesting swimmers might want to research water conditions before planning beach activities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Buck Creek State Park Campground offers play areas connected to camping loops. "There is a path to the playground which the occasional kid will run down into your campsite by accident," mentions a visitor about site 41, highlighting the family-friendly layout.
Organized activities: Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort provides structured recreation for children. "Fun location just off the highway. Perfect for a family, has swimming pool, putt putt, and other child friendly activities... also has small fishing pond," notes a camper who appreciated the family amenities.
Educational opportunities: Cowan Lake State Park Campground features interpretive programs. "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park," shares a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly touches.
Safety considerations: Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM. "The campground was quiet by 10pm every night we were there and most people seemed to be in bed early," reports a Buck Creek camper, making it suitable for families with younger children.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility information: Buck Creek State Park Campground requires navigating several miles of park roads. "It was a bit of a drive back into the campground, probably 3 1/2 miles," notes an RVer, suggesting campers plan arrival timing accordingly.
Leveling requirements: Many sites at regional campgrounds require minimal leveling. At Cowan Lake, "The asphalt pad was decently level," reports a camper in site 78, making setup relatively easy for those with slide-outs.
Tree clearance issues: Watch for low-hanging branches at some campgrounds. At Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort, one RVer with a 45' Prevost reported, "Pull through we were assigned had very low hanging tree limbs. I called the office and asked if we could use space 41 instead. No problem!" highlighting the importance of site selection for larger rigs.
Hookup availability: Regional campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. Caesar Creek State Park Campground has converted some sites to premium, "but most only offer electric," advises a camper, suggesting RVers should reserve specific sites if full hookups are needed.
