Electric-only campsites at East Fork State Park offer more seclusion, particularly those situated near the lake. Campers staying in the Cincinnati area have access to over 85 miles of paved bike trails connecting several campgrounds within a 25-mile radius of Blue Ash. Winter camping options remain available at select parks with reduced amenities and limited water access from November through March.
What to do
Bike the Little Miami Trail: Access the 76-mile paved bike path from Jim Terrell Park in Milford. "This campsite is tucked away as in across the street from the bike trail. As a Milford native, I didn't even know it was here for a long time," notes a reviewer of Jim Terrell Park. The trail connects multiple campgrounds near Blue Ash.
Explore fossil hunting: Caesar Creek State Park permits limited fossil collection with a free permit available at the visitor center. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," mentions a camper at Caesar Creek State Park Campground.
Visit historic Lebanon: The town center is within walking distance of Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA. "We had no idea how cute and historic Lebanon was!" writes a reviewer. The area offers antique shops and small restaurants within a mile of the Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA campground.
Mountain biking trails: Several local parks maintain dedicated mountain bike routes. "Not a bad little park for mountain biking, hiking, etc.," notes one camper about East Fork State Park, while Jim Terrell Park features "a mountain biking trail that is 1.2 miles long."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate the larger sites available at certain parks. "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," writes a camper about Stonelick State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "The bathrooms were clean and dumping and getting water was easy," notes a reviewer about Winton Woods. Another camper at Hueston Woods mentions, "The campground is nice but it's an extremely long walking distance to the lake."
Lake activities: Multiple parks offer swimming, fishing, and boating options. A camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground shared, "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."
Variety of accommodations: Options range from primitive tent sites to cabins with amenities. "The cozy cabin fulfilled my tiny home dreams and camping craving! The cozy cabin had a queen bed, twin bunks and a sofa that made out to a full size sleeper," writes a visitor to Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Water access is limited in colder months. "We visited in late March, and they may not have been at peak season form," notes a camper at Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA. Some shower facilities close during winter season.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little," mentions a visitor to Stonelick State Park.
Booking systems vary: Each campground has different reservation policies. "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," reports a camper about Winton Woods Campground.
Limited cell coverage: Despite proximity to Cincinnati, some parks have connectivity issues. "For a park so close to a large city (Cincinnati), I was surprised the cell service was so lacking (on Verizon). We eked out one and occasionally two bars of 4G," writes a visitor to East Fork State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Cozy-Dale Campground, "The kids can fish run around there's a large playground and horseshoes and a basketball hoop," according to one reviewer.
Swimming options: Several parks have designated swimming areas, but conditions vary. A Caesar Creek visitor cautions, "Its beach area is just mud and murky water." Stonelick Lake offers alternatives with cleaner swimming conditions during summer months.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning activities. "The nature center offered movies in the evening for guest," notes a camper at East Fork State Park. Several parks offer ranger-led programs on weekends during summer.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better security measures. A reviewer appreciates that Winton Woods has "entrance was gated. Nice campstore." Another mentions, "It was clean and quiet, I never had to worry about the kids."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up locations: Check utility placement before selecting sites. An Olive Branch camper notes, "All hookups are in the middle of the site my standard cord was not long enough. Water pressure very good."
Site selection for shade: RVers recommend specific loops for tree cover. "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," shares a Winton Woods camper.
Dump station access: Parks have varying facilities for waste management. "There is potable water in multiple sites and a double sided dump station," notes a Stonelick camper. East Fork offers dedicated sewer hookups at premium sites.
Site surface types: Campgrounds use different materials for RV pads. "All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped," writes an East Fork visitor, while Tucker's Landing offers concrete pads: "Each plot also has its own concrete slab for your RV, so you don't have to worry about parking in the mud."
