Stonelick State Park Campground offers family-friendly sites near Lebanon with a mix of wooded and open areas. Most sites are drive-up with space for RVs or tents, though some have significant slopes that can challenge levelers. The park operates seasonally from April 1 to October 31, with temperatures ranging from 40-85°F during camping season and occasional thunderstorms in summer months.
What to do
Water activities at Cowan Lake: The lake provides multiple recreation options for visitors looking to enjoy the water. "The beach is a short distance away and love that they also include a dog swimming area," notes a camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground. At Cowan Lake, visitors can rent John boats and enjoy fishing. "Great crappie fishing in early May just steep cliffs to get down to the water," reports a visitor.
Hiking and biking trails: Multiple parks offer well-maintained trails for various skill levels. At Stonelick State Park Campground, "There's a few trails at the entrance to the campground and a canoe/kayak launch a few minutes drive from the entrance," according to a recent visitor. Another camper mentions, "Nice trails for hiking or taking a cruise on your bike."
Paved bike trails: The Little Miami Bike Trail offers paved surfaces for cycling near several campgrounds. "Close to the Little Miami Bike Trail this was easy to walk on with my friend and her two little ones. The trail was paved which was a huge help," explains a visitor to Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizing at several campgrounds. At Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure, "The tent sites which I explored on my walks are huge. A great camp site to have a bunch of friends meet up and camp at as it is so close to Cincinnati." The campground features "huge trees and grassy areas to put your tents up without feeling like your neighbors are right in your space."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in reviews. At Winton Woods Campground, "The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks," according to one visitor. Another notes, "Bathhouse is clean and modern."
Variety of accommodation options: From basic tent sites to RV hookups and cabins, the area offers multiple camping styles. "From walk in camping to painball hueston woods has it all. Lots of trails and creeks, biking, boating, play grounds, swimming, food, store, movie nights mini golf and more!" shares a visitor. Cabin options are available at several locations for those seeking glamping near Lebanon, Ohio without a tent.
What you should know
Site conditions vary widely: Terrain, shade, and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. A visitor to Cowan Lake State Park notes, "There was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun. Some sites were much larger than others." At another campground, "Our site was quite muddy but I guess that's to be expected when you are next to the river."
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds have limited operating seasons or different experiences depending on when you visit. "Granted, we visited in late March, and they may not have been at peak season form. The roads in the campground need grading. Lots of holes and ruts," reports a camper at Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season and holidays. "It states that there are no same day reservations, which gave me a lot of stress all weekend not knowing if we were going to be able to book a site," shares a visitor about the booking process at one location. Weekend reservations often require minimum stays of 2-3 nights, especially on holiday weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "The campground was completely full but still quiet and peaceful. The dog park wasn't huge, but larger than most," notes a visitor to Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA. Another campground offers "a jump pad for the kids very small dog park... gaga ball a basketball court."
Site selection for kids: Choose sites strategically based on proximity to bathrooms and play areas. At Camp Cedar, "Great location across from Kings Island. Many activities within this campus," making it convenient for families. However, some sites require careful consideration: "We were a little nervous as the cabin is so close the river. This is part of the charm but when you have a 3 year old in your group then it is smart to keep an extra sharp eye."
Kid-friendly trails: Several parks offer educational walking paths suitable for children. "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," explains a visitor. Another camper mentions, "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites present difficulties for leveling RVs. "The site we were given wasn't level, and it took a bit of maneuvering to get level," notes a visitor to one campground. Another RV camper states, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Utility placement: Pay attention to hookup locations when setting up. "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," advises a camper at Cedarbrook Campground. Most campgrounds offer water fill stations and dumping stations even when full hookups aren't available.
Internet connectivity: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly between locations. At Stonelick State Park Campground, one visitor reports, "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."
