Best Campgrounds near Cincinnati, OH

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Cincinnati, Ohio (93)

    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

    "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

    63 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

    7 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

    29 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

    2 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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Showing results 1-10 of 93 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cincinnati, OH

611 Reviews of 93 Cincinnati Campgrounds



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

Which is the most popular campground near Cincinnati, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cincinnati, OH is Winton Woods Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.

What parks are near Cincinnati, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Cincinnati, OH that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.