Stonelick State Park and several other campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences near Concord, Ohio. The area features relatively flat terrain with elevations around 900 feet above sea level and is characterized by mixed hardwood forests and several lakes and rivers. Camping options in this region span from secluded tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations, with most campgrounds operating seasonally from April through October due to Ohio's variable weather patterns.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing access points: At A.J. Jolly Park & Campground, the lake provides multiple entry points for small watercraft. "Close to Cincinnati but each site is wooded and on lake front, lots to do!" notes camper Anna N., who appreciated the lake access directly from the campground.
Hiking shorter trails: The area's trail systems typically range from 0.5 to 3 miles in length, suitable for casual day hikes. Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers informative nature trails with educational markers. As Kenpocentaur K. observed, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Fish for bluegill and catfish at multiple fishing docks with designated areas for shore fishing. "Great place to fish for bluegill and catfish," states Jarrod M. about Rocky Fork State Park, adding that the "small town with stores and restaurants was only 8 min away" for purchasing bait or other supplies.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers value the generous site spacing at Rocky Fork State Park Campground, with sites numbering in the 147-165 range being particularly well-regarded. "Nice size lots," notes Abby N., while Jarrod M. specifies that "there are more good sites than bad. 4,5,9,10, 147-165 those were my favorites."
Clean facilities: The shower houses receive consistent praise for cleanliness and maintenance across most area campgrounds. Kim H. from Cowan Lake notes, "The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean," while at Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA, Joel R. remarked that "the showers, bathrooms and laundry were all clean and neat."
Proximity to towns: Campers appreciate the balance between natural settings and nearby amenities. At Rocky Fork, Andrea F. noted, "The near by town of Hillsboro was definitely worth the visit. Several cute stores, a great bakery and we even went to the local farmers market," making it convenient to stock up on supplies or grab a meal off-site.
What you should know
Limited shade at some sites: Many campgrounds in the region have lost trees to disease or development. Brandon P. observed at Cowan Lake that there was "very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees," while Megan M. noted that much of the campground was "completely exposed with no shade."
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Winton Woods Campground, Kenneth D. advised to "get your ideal site early during busy season" since the limited number of full hook-up spots fill quickly.
WiFi and cell connectivity: Service varies widely between campgrounds. At Beechwood Acres, Amy H. reported "the wifi wasn't working while we were there" and Chaz C. stated "cell service here is awful and there is no WiFi," while at Cowan Lake, Craig C. found that "Verizon cell got good reception."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access timing: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities with seasonal operations. At Beechwood Acres Camping Resort, Amy H. shared that "the pool is heated and large enough for everyone to spread out," making it suitable for families with children of different ages.
Playground locations: Most family-oriented campgrounds feature multiple play areas. Jason L. mentioned that Stonelick Lake State Park is "small enough to let my kids roam a bit on their bikes and feel comfortable not having eyes on them 24/7. Quiet and Clean."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-friendly events during peak season. Brad R. noted that Beechwood Acres offers "cornhole, playgrounds, basketball available. Live music on weekend," while Chaz C. advised to "check their event calendar on their website, you can see what's going on during your stay."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup considerations: RV sites vary significantly in power availability. At Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins, jeffrey D. warned that "power for site 7 is on the wrong side so you're going to need an extension possibly," highlighting the importance of checking hookup locations before setting up.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Rocky Fork State Park, Joel R. found "the site we were given wasn't level, and it took a bit of maneuvering to get level," while at Morgan's Riverside, jeffrey D. observed that "sites are gravel and not level."
Navigation considerations: Entrance roads at some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. At Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA, Joel R. cautioned that "the entry road is one lane. If you meet another vehicle someone has to back up," advising arrivals during less busy times to avoid this issue.
