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Best Campgrounds near Cincinnati, OH

627 Reviews

Cincinnati camping includes several state parks within an hour's drive from the city. Cowan Lake State Park Campground has electric sites with access to water and dump stations, working well for campers who want partial hookups. John Bryan State Park Campground takes a more basic approach with its camping setup, and has trails that connect to good views and a place to put in canoes. Kincaid Lake State Park Campground maintains clean sites where people can fish and hike during their stay. Fall camping around Cincinnati stands out because of the colorful leaves and cooler temperatures. The summer gets crowded at most sites, so you'll need to reserve spots ahead of time. Most Cincinnati-area campgrounds let you book online, which makes planning easier. You'll find regular bathrooms and shower buildings at most places, so you won't need to rough it completely. Winter camping works if you bring the right gear for cold nights. In spring, wildflowers pop up throughout the camping areas. Cincinnati's nearby campgrounds work for both quiet trips and more active ones.

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Best Camping Sites Near Cincinnati, Ohio (98)

    1. Winton Woods Campground

    23 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    9 miles
    Website

    "Nice park in Cincinnati with lots to do for Everyone. Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks. 1.7 mile paved walking trail is great for walking, running and biking."

    "This is a nice little county campground outside of Cincinnati with easy access to the city. Prices are a little high, IMO, but the park is clean, neat, with lots of wooded sites!"

    2. Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park

    14 Reviews
    Fairfield, OH
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 851-2267

    $43 - $73 / night

    "The campground fills up fast and there were plenty of shaded electric sites close to the lake. There were also plenty of pull through sites for the big rigs."

    "Playground and walk path well kept."

    3. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground

    45 Reviews
    Patriot, KY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 384-3522

    $40 / night

    "Pros: awesome orienteering courses for all ages, some easy hiking trails, pool, showers, clean, lovely lake, not far from Cincinnati (great zoo & natural history museum there, to continue the learning)"

    "We met up with friends from Cincinnati for a long weekend of camping fun. This park was a nice place to stay. The main attraction seemed to be the museum."

    4. East Fork State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Concord, OH
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 734-2730

    $29 - $30 / night

    "Excellent location from Cincinnati, around 30 minutes. Hike along the hills, Fish for crappie and bluegill. Enjoy lunch at any of the 4 clean large areas."

    "Our favorite campsite for the outskirts of Cincinnati. Lots of great spots available! You can get to the lake in about a 15 minute drive."

    5. Tucker's Landing

    8 Reviews
    Fort Thomas, OH
    7 miles
    Website

    $25 - $54 / night

    "Site 22 had a beautiful view of the ohio river. The kids enjoyed seeing the barges going up and down the river. It was very quiet and peaceful. Sites were very clean."

    "Not much in the surrounding area."

    6. Miami Whitewater Forest Campground

    9 Reviews
    Harrison, OH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 367-9632

    "Lake nearby with boat rentals and paved bike paths. Good family environment. Beware of sneaky raccoons. River access down path behind lot 129."

    "Beautiful park has a lake with kayaking/canoe/rowboat/paddle boat rentals and a few pontoon boats for rent but is otherwise just for non-motorized boats. good fishing both from the rental rowboats and"

    7. Indian Springs Campground

    8 Reviews
    Greendale, OH
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 353-9244

    "We stay here weeks at a time when visiting Cincinnati. It’s no frills, but the view, the ducks and the serenity are well worth staying here."

    "It sat at one end of our site but right up against the site next to us, so trying to sit around a campfire would have been a little awkward. There wasn't any shade on the pull thru sites."

    8. Stonelick State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Goshen, OH
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 625-6593

    "Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water. My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean."

    "This is a great park in southern Ohio, easy to reach, 20 minutes off the interstate 275. There are a number of good sites, but some with a significant slope that leveling would be an issue."

    9. A.J. Jolly Park & Campground

    11 Reviews
    Alexandria, KY
    19 miles
    Website

    "Close to Cincinnati but each site is wooded and on lake front , lots to do!"

    "Amazing place for the price and proximity to the city!! Just wish there was more hiking trails"

    10. Jim Terrell Park

    3 Reviews
    Terrace Park, OH
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 831-4192

    $5 / night

    "The Milford bike trail is part of a paved bike path that is 76 miles long.  This campsite is tucked away as in across the street from the bike trail."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cincinnati, OH

186 Photos of 98 Cincinnati Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cincinnati, OH

627 Reviews of 98 Cincinnati Campgrounds

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Stonelick State Park Campground

    Big sites but can be loud and crowded

    Nice big sites, fairly level. We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little. First night the shower house STUNK but then the next day it smelled fine while our closest bathrooms were out of order. The trail to the lake was right next to the sit and that was lovely.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Jim Terrell Park

    Looks Good!

    8/13/2025

    NOTE: I did NOT stay here. I was going to, but decided to drive a little farther than I had initially planned. I did want to check it out though because there aren't many reviews. 

    This looks like a solid option to tent for a night though. The town looks very nice and quiet, and the park seems well-kempt. If the sites are on the river, just know there's a restaurant on the opposite bank that might be a source of noise/light at night, and the park itself is kind of close to the road. I'm not exactly sure where one would tent, but there did seem to be some flat space behind a rafting/kayaking shack to the left as you pull in.

  • Rhonda B.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    The Landing at Bear Creek RV Park

    Best full time campground on the Ohio River!

    We are full-time RVers and this is by far the best park we've stayed at! It's peaceful and beautiful, everyone (especially Management) is so friendly and fun! The laundry facility is one of the greatest amenities as we've stayed other places without one, so we truly appreciate it! The splash pad is fantastic for children and adults alike! There's a dog park, and a kids kangaroo jump pad as well. The view of the river is beautiful! On weekends there's entertainment and/or cornhole tournaments to bring everyone together. The park is maintained perfectly and I've enjoyed calling it home! By far the best park in Southern Clermont County! Must see!

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Sizeable Site, Good for Families

    We stayed in Site 78. 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. Some sites were much larger than others.

    The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean. I didn't check out any bath houses.

    The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious. Plenty of dogs were present.

    We'll return next summer.

  • Robert H.
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Northern Kentucky RV Park

    Nice place to stay on the way price is priced accordingly on the high side

    Very nice attendant helpful even tried to help me find a lower priced campground but the others were full

  • K
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Cedarbrook Campground

    Wonderful stay w one hiccup

    This is a very well managed and maintain campground except the laundry facility. Washers are old and bed bugs were found. If you stick to your own camper you will be safe. Any campground that has cabins will have bedbugs. That’s a fact!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Indian Springs Campground

    Nice campground, well cared for

    The spaces are gravel and level. The campground is mostly RV with a few private apartments/houseboat.

    Quiet, most all of the waterfront sites were taken. We took a chance on last minute reservations and there were plenty of pull through spots. Easy to setup.

    Checkin/out no problem. They have a code for gate entry.

    Bathhouse bathrooms are date but clean. A bit on small side, not very comfortable.

    There is not much common area for grass/waterside…kinda feel like your in someone’s spot/yard area.

    There is a playground for young kids.

    About 30 minutes from downtown Cincinnati…easy to get to a game.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    General Butler State Resort Park

    Been going there for years. Sites are tight, but well ran park.

    Clean, professional campground. Sites loops are tight but people with big fifth wheels were able to manage just fine. The fish were biting the weekend I was there!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Thousand Trails Indian Lakes

    Needs new management

    Terrible management. Pics are outdated and most everything is run down. Only one pool open during short hours. No gas station, no slide, nasty lake water & nobody takes the trash/dumpsters out. Completely inundated with annual spots being reserved by weekend warriors meaning minimal availability for people who want to be here during the week. There are SEVERAL dozen spots available and we were told if the spot we got didn’t work we could pick something else. At 8pm during dinner we were disturbed by a park ranger and forced to move to a spot half the size with no hookups. She literally brought us to an overflow area that our rig doesn’t fit in. She made us pack up our entire camp site to move so someone else could have the spot, even though there were MULTIPLE spots available. Had to be extremely persistent to get a FHU spot only to see dozens continue to be available for the rest of our 2 week stay.

    They also charge you $5 per package to pick up your own mail from the building and $10 for a key card to access the park. Management is certainly skimming off of customers here. Will travel further to another TT campground to avoid this place in the future.

Guide to Cincinnati

Camping near Cincinnati offers a great escape into nature without straying too far from the city. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were really great! It was hot, but the wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, you can rent kayaks and enjoy fishing. A camper shared, "The lake was beautiful with the ability to rent kayaks."
  • Wildlife Watching: Big Bone Lick State Park Campground is known for its bison prairie and hiking trails. One reviewer noted, "A well-groomed campground surrounded by a museum, bison prairie, hiking trails & other outdoor activities."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Caesar Creek State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at East Fork State Park Campground. One camper said, "Neighbors weren’t sitting on top of one another. There was a tree for shade and plenty of space."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Winton Woods Campground is praised for its friendly vibe. A reviewer mentioned, "Friendly staff, level sites, surrounded by woods and water."

What you should know:

  • Raccoons Can Be a Nuisance: At John Bryan State Park Campground, raccoons are known to be bold. One camper warned, "The sheer number and boldness of raccoons... they are lingering the edge of the woods day and night ready to grab anything."
  • Limited Amenities at Some Sites: Hueston Woods State Park Campground has some areas without drinking water. A visitor noted, "Only A & B loop are suitable for campers."
  • Busy on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A camper at Stonelick State Park Campground mentioned, "Some sites are really short. Be sure to check the pad length."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like Kincaid Lake State Park Campground, which has a playground and recreational areas. A family shared, "The park is clean and safe for camping with children."
  • Plan for Raccoons: If camping at John Bryan State Park Campground, make sure to secure food. One camper advised, "Put ALL your food away!"
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure the campground has clean bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Caesar Creek State Park Campground said, "The full hookup sites are a bit smaller, but overall a nice campground!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Big Rig Friendly Sites: Campgrounds like East Fork State Park Campground are big rig friendly. A reviewer mentioned, "Big rig friendly, drinking water, electric hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Leveling Issues: Some sites may require leveling blocks. A camper at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground noted, "Most tent sites are not very level, it can be a bit tough with larger tents."
  • Check for Dump Stations: Make sure the campground has a convenient dump station. A visitor at Stonelick State Park Campground appreciated, "The dump station is conveniently located in the center loop."

Camping around Cincinnati offers a mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free camping options around Cincinnati?

Free camping options near Cincinnati are limited, but budget-conscious campers have a few possibilities. Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) offers primitive camping at Twin Creek Metro Park, which was formerly Camp Hook. While not free, it provides an affordable alternative to traditional state park campgrounds and serves as a good middle meeting point between Cincinnati and Columbus. For those willing to travel a bit further, Miami Whitewater Forest Campground near Harrison offers economical camping options. Those seeking true free camping might consider checking public lands farther from the city or contacting local landowners for permission to camp on private property.

Is dispersed camping available near Cincinnati?

True dispersed camping is limited near Cincinnati due to the predominantly private land ownership in the region. Your best option for a dispersed-like experience is at Stonelick State Park Campground, which offers some walk-in sites that provide more privacy and a primitive feel while still having access to basic facilities. For those seeking a backpacking experience, Tucker's Landing provides more remote options. The Dayton Metro Parks system also offers backpacking opportunities on the challenging Twin Valley Trail with beautiful overlooks. For true dispersed camping, you'll need to venture farther from Cincinnati to Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio, which allows dispersed camping in designated areas.

Which state parks near Cincinnati offer camping facilities?

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground is a popular state park not far from Cincinnati with a museum, interpretive displays, orienteering courses, hiking trails, pool, and a lovely lake. It's an excellent place to learn about the area's natural history. Hueston Woods State Park Campground is located north of Cincinnati along Ohio's border with Indiana and features a Raptor Center that visitors enjoy. While the bathrooms and shower houses could use updates, it's still a comfortable place for camping with a pop-up camper. Other state parks with camping near Cincinnati include Cowan Lake State Park and Stonelick State Park, both offering lake access and various amenities.

What are the best campgrounds near Cincinnati, Ohio?

East Fork State Park Campground is a top choice just 30 minutes from Cincinnati, offering spacious, clean sites with electric and full hookup options. The park features excellent fishing for crappie and bluegill, hiking trails, and clean picnic areas. Another excellent option is Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins, which provides large wooded sites along the Ohio River with mature trees for shade. It offers beautiful scenic river views while still being close to Cincinnati's attractions. Other notable campgrounds include Winton Woods with its shade trees and disc golf course, and Cowan Lake State Park which provides a serene setting with lake access.

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