Within 20 miles of Ross, Ohio, the camping areas benefit from southwestern Ohio's moderate climate, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and spring rainfall of 4-5 inches monthly. The region sits at approximately 600-800 feet elevation with gently rolling hills and deciduous forests providing natural camping boundaries. Most campgrounds remain open April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to Do
Kayaking access points: Winton Woods Campground offers immediate lake access with a kayak launch site inside the campground. "This is a vantastic campground with a variety of things to do there. It sits on a lake with a kayak launch site right in the campground," notes Suzy M. The 156-acre lake provides calm waters suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers.
Mountain biking trails: Hueston Woods State Park Campground maintains dedicated mountain biking routes through mature forests. A visitor shared, "I wish I had brought both my bicycle and canoe," while another mentioned, "I talked with mountain bikers that spoke favorably. There were several marked trails near the reservoir area."
Disc golf course: Winton Woods features an accessible 18-hole disc golf course perfect for casual players. "A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is an easy course great for beginners," explains Dan G., making it ideal for first-timers or those looking for a quick round.
Bird watching spots: Early mornings at Cowan Lake State Park Campground provide opportunities to spot woodpeckers, Canadian geese, and migratory birds. The park includes informational displays about local wildlife. "Woodpeckers stayed busy overhead. At dusk an overly friendly 'masked trash panda' encroached... Other small birds were plentiful as were migrating Canadian honkers."
What Campers Like
Privacy options: Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground offers widely spaced sites, particularly in the horse camping area. As Brady R. explains, "I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out! Totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site, but even then, they were very spread out."
Clean facilities: Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA maintains exceptionally clean private bathroom facilities. Brian B. reported, "This KOA sets the bar for the Ohio locations we have visited. The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks."
Lake views: Stonelick State Park Campground provides waterfront access via walking trails. A recent visitor noted, "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."
Tree cover variations: Campgrounds near Ross offer diverse shade options. At Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park, "I stayed at an electric only spot nestled in the trees by the lake. I was the only RV in this section all week and it was so peaceful and private. There is a fire ring, a picnic table and an oversized gravel spot with plenty of trees to hang my hammock from."
What You Should Know
Seasonal closures: Many facilities reduce operations October through April. Stonelick State Park specifically operates April 1st to October 31st, while Winton Woods and Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA remain open year-round with limited winter services.
Urban proximity: Winton Woods Campground sits within Cincinnati city limits, creating a unique urban camping experience. Kenneth D. mentions it's a "Very nice campground inside the urban loop in Cincinnati. Close to everything, yet quiet and secluded camping experience."
Bathroom variations: Facilities range from modern to rustic across campgrounds. At Hueston Woods, a camper noted, "In the larger non-electric loop newer restrooms existed...modern bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked with TP. In my tent area...antiquated wood shed pit latrines...that truly needed razed."
Reservation challenges: Book early, especially for glamping options near Ross. One camper at Winton Woods reported, "We needed to stay on a Monday night and tried all weekend to book a site online. Both the mobile site and the full website didn't work."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Multiple play areas keep children entertained throughout the day. "Winton woods is a fun place to go with the family. There are playgrounds, trails, boat rentals, (the water is a little... ehhhh), there's Parkys farm which is fun for little ones! We love it!" shares Kelsey L.
Bike-friendly paths: Paved trails at Winton Woods accommodate young cyclists. "I like the fact that there is a walking/bike path throughout the park. It's great for exploring," mentions Suzy M. The paths connect camping areas to the lake and recreation facilities.
Interactive nature programs: Cowan Lake State Park offers educational activities for children. "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park," notes one visitor, while another mentioned "organized activities on the lake and through the nature center."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes offer shore fishing suitable for children. At Winton Woods, Dan G. reports, "Fishing at the campground can get crowded but other fishing spots are a short walking distance away. A Boat/Canoe/Kayak launch is within the campgrounds and other launch point close by in the park."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA, a camper reported, "The site we were given wasn't level, and it took a bit of maneuvering to get level." Similarly, at Stonelick, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Internet connectivity: Cell coverage varies significantly between locations. At Cowan Lake State Park, a recent visitor found, "Internet here on t-moble 5G home is 90Mbps down and 6 to 20Mbps up. Verizon on cellphone, only 10Mbs down, 1-3Mbps up. ATT cellphones are similar to Verizon. Great enough for work or play."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds offer sanitary dump facilities, though locations vary. At Winton Woods, a visitor noted, "The bathrooms were clean and dumping and getting water was easy." Plan dump station visits during off-peak hours to avoid lines.
Hookup placement awareness: At Cedarbrook Campground, check sewer connection locations before parking. "The only odd feature was the placement of the sewage. If you're not careful you can easily park your RV on top of the drain, so keep an eye out for it," warns Daniel G.
