Camping spots near Ross, Ohio range from small county parks to developed state recreation areas across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Located in southwest Ohio near the tri-state border, the area experiences moderate seasonal changes with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows in the 20s. Sites at Hamilton County parks typically rent for $25-40 per night while state parks often charge $22-35 depending on hookups and season.
What to do
Water activities at Brookville Lake: This Indiana state recreation area features a massive lake with multiple swimming beaches and extensive boat access. "Nice, clean campground with lots of bath/shower locations. Lots of electric site... Brookville lake nearby for boating (rentals), large beach area," explains one camper who gave the experience 4 stars.
Hiking near Miami Whitewater Forest Campground: This campground connects to several well-maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. A visitor notes, "Nice, clean, peaceful, well maintained" surroundings, while another mentions "several miles of bike trails, bridle trails and hiking trails."
Disc golf courses: The area offers multiple disc golf options for all skill levels. One camper at Miami Whitewater Forest mentions, "A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is a easy course great for beginners."
Visit nearby attractions: The region offers unique historical sites within short driving distance. A reviewer at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground shares, "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!"
What campers like
Private tent sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded tent-only areas away from RV sections. At Hueston Woods, a camper mentions, "We love Hueston Woods! We have been there twice now and tent camp. A lot of the sites are large and have enough space for everything you need!"
Urban convenience with nature setting: Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park provides a unique blend of accessibility and natural surroundings. A visitor notes, "Very nice campground inside the urban loop in Cincinnati. Close to everything, yet quiet and secluded camping experience."
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across most area campgrounds. One camper at Winton Woods shared, "The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls. There is a playground for children, and a camp store that sells firewood and supplies."
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds in the region remain open year-round. A camper at Indian Springs Campground shared their experience: "Level pull-thru spots. Staff is very nice. Only stayed 2 nights. Great for passing through the area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Some parks require advance booking while others allow walk-up camping. At East Fork, one camper noted: "We registered/paid online but the entire weekend there were no staff to be found."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies widely between campgrounds. At Hamilton County Miami Whitewater Forest Campground, a camper warned: "We stayed here last year, was not happy about our site. It was not level. We managed but I was ready to leave when I got there."
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Governor Bebb MetroPark Campground offers a more rustic experience. A visitor described it as "Basic car tent camping at several spots along a creek with picnic tables and fire rings (no hookups, portolet toilets, no showers)."
Seasonal crowds: Holiday weekends and summer months draw larger crowds, especially at locations with water access. At Winton Woods, a camper advised: "Get your ideal site early during busy season."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. At Miami Whitewater Forest, a reviewer mentioned, "Nice family park in Cincinnati with lots to do for Everyone. Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer historical or nature exhibits. Big Bone Lick provides unique learning experiences, with one visitor noting, "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip. A good interactive grade school age children campground."
Water activities for kids: East Fork State Park Campground offers numerous water-based recreation options. A camper shared, "Many activities can be enjoyed here including mini golf (small nine-hole course), soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, corn hole, boating, and bicycling."
Family-friendly events: Some parks host seasonal activities specifically for families. At East Fork, a camper described: "A HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Limited at many state parks but available at some county and private campgrounds. At Winton Woods, an RVer noted, "Limited number of full hook-up spots - more would make this and even better site."
Site selection considerations: Research the specific loop and site number before booking. A camper at Winton Woods explained, "Our site was level and the roads were easy to navigate in our motorhome. The paved trail around the lake was great for walking/jogging and perfect for launching our kayaks."
Pull-through accessibility: Important for larger rigs or those new to backing in. An RVer at East Fork shared, "Stayed Friday-Sunday on a full hookup site against the woods, the road had a loop at the end for easy pull through."
Campsite surface types: Most area campgrounds have paved or gravel pads. At East Fork, a camper noted, "All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped."
