Buck Creek State Park Campground provides nearly 90 campsites set along the 2,120-acre C.J. Brown Reservoir near Springfield, Ohio. Located approximately 20 miles from Fairborn, the campground offers RV and tent sites among groves of hardwood trees. The non-electric loop area remains less crowded on weekends, with grassy level sites that provide partial shade for tents. During fall and early spring, temperatures can range from 35-70°F, making seasonal preparedness essential for comfort.
What to do
Kayaking access points: At Hueston Woods State Park Campground, visitors can launch directly from the camping area. "A kayak launch site right in the campground" makes water entry convenient without hauling equipment long distances, according to one camper who enjoyed "exploring the 1.7 mile paved walking trail" that circles portions of the lake.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers report good catches at Buck Creek, particularly in less crowded areas. "Great crappie fishing in early May just steep cliffs to get down to the water. There is a marina nearby where you can rent a John boat for pretty cheap too," notes one reviewer who stayed in the cabins.
Disc golf course: Accessible within a short walk from Winton Woods Campground, the 18-hole course provides an activity option even during inclement weather. "A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by. It is an easy course great for beginners," writes a camper who appreciated having multiple recreation options within walking distance.
Night paddling: For a unique experience, Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure offers moonlight paddling options. "A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful," reports one visitor who enjoyed both nighttime and daytime paddling during their stay.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Non-electric areas at Cowan Lake State Park Campground receive positive feedback for their size. "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites," notes a camper. Another mentioned the site variety: "There are organized activities on the lake and through the nature center. You can also do your own thing. There are plenty of shady campsites, sunny ones, electric, primitive, pet-friendly, handicapped, and pull-throughs."
Private bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds have upgraded their bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls," writes a visitor to Winton Woods. Similarly at Stonelick State Park, a camper reported: "Bath house is clean and modern. There is potable water in multiple sites and a double sided dump station."
Hammock-friendly areas: For those who prefer suspended sleeping, Buck Creek offers dedicated hammock areas. "Buckcreek had great hammock camping spots and was just what we were looking for, especially considering we scoured several other campgrounds and most of them didn't have trees at the spots, let alone 3 to set up 3 hammocks," notes one reviewer who visited specifically for hammock camping.
Monthly stay options: For longer-term glamping in Fairborn, Ohio area, Frontier Campground near Waynesville provides monthly reservation options. "Because they only allow monthly reservations, it keeps the traffic to a minimum and creates more of a community atmosphere," explains a long-term camper who appreciated the peaceful setting.
What you should know
Campsite shade varies significantly: Many campgrounds have lost tree coverage due to emerald ash borer or maintenance. At Stonelick State Park Campground, a visitor observed: "The trail to the lake was right next to the site and that was lovely." However, level issues affect some sites: "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Weekend crowds vs. weekday quiet: Capacity differences create entirely different experiences. "It was a busy weekend but not as loud as I figured it would be," noted a Buck Creek camper. At Hueston Woods, a visitor recommended: "I would not want to stay when it's busy or on the weekends. The reservoir beach and watercraft fishing appears a big draw."
Road noise considerations: Urban-adjacent camping means traffic sounds. At Winton Woods, a reviewer mentioned: "The biggest downfall to this campground is the location. Just doesn't seem quite right to be able to hear city noises and (major) road traffic while camping."
Seasonal facility limitations: During shoulder seasons, some amenities may be reduced. "We visited in late March, and they may not have been at peak season form," explained a KOA camper who found the dog park muddy and internet extremely slow during their early spring visit.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Morgan's Riverside offers riverside sites with playground access. "We stayed in early May, which is usually when they do their Triathlon. The Army Corps of Engineers decided to let water out of the dam up river, so it was flooded for a couple days but the campsites are sooo large and spread out from each other, at least in the back, we had fun no matter," reports a family who enjoyed the spacious setting.
Safety considerations: At Buck Creek, tent camping areas provide better isolation from busy roads. "One of my favorites in this area, great rv spots and even better tent/non electric spots... easy walk to fish or to campers beach... my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes," writes a parent who appreciates the safe biking areas.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Indian Lake State Park Campground, families appreciate the accessibility: "There are a lot of sites. Some had great shade and others didn't have any at all. They have a dog park, place to dock your boat and a small beach. I would imagine this would be a pretty busy during the summer."
Rustic to luxury options: For families seeking glamping in the Fairborn region, consider cabins that provide both comfort and natural settings. "The cabins weren't on top of each other. I felt that this was a better deal than some other local cabin prices and the atmosphere was better as well," noted a Morgan's Canoe visitor who found the cabins ideal for young children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: At Indian Lake State Park, a visitor noted: "Our pad was not level front to back so we had to adjust a little bit. The fire ring was nice but our picnic table was beat up." Preparation with leveling blocks helps at most campgrounds in the region.
Campsite spacing considerations: RVers frequently mention proximity concerns. A Cowan Lake visitor commented on recent changes: "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees."
Paved sites advantage: For larger rigs, Winton Woods offers premium sites. "RV sites are level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks," reports one camper. Another noted: "Most RV sites are back-in but there are 12 pull-thru sites. There is a myriad of sites here from 50-amp full hook-up with paved pads and patios to 30-amp gravel sites."
Winter camping options: For year-round glamping near Fairborn, select campgrounds remain open. "Electric site only, full service all full. A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides," reported a Cowan Lake visitor who also noted excellent internet connectivity: "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."
