97 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Waynesville, Ohio and the surrounding area feature several established campgrounds catering to various camping preferences. Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers spacious sites for both tent and RV camping with electrical hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities approximately 12 miles northwest of Waynesville. Frontier Campground, located directly in Waynesville, provides well-maintained sites with full hookups including water, sewer, and electricity. The region includes developed campgrounds with cabin options such as Morgan's Riverside Campground and Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure within 15 miles of Waynesville.
Camping accessibility in the area remains consistent year-round at several locations, though some campgrounds like Stonelick State Park operate seasonally from April through October. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months and weekends. Caesar Creek State Park features newly updated electrical hookups and well-maintained restroom facilities. The terrain throughout the area is generally flat to gently rolling, making most campsites easily accessible for standard vehicles without special clearance requirements. Cell service is typically reliable throughout the region. A camper noted that "Caesar Creek State Park sites are spacious, it has excellent, helpful staff, and the sites aren't stacked on top of each other."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campers in the Waynesville area, with Caesar Creek Lake offering swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Several visitors highlighted the peaceful atmosphere at local campgrounds, with one reviewer describing Frontier Campground as "by far the most peaceful, quiet place we have stayed over the years." The campgrounds near Waynesville provide convenient access to attractions including hiking trails, the Ohio Renaissance Fair, and the historic downtown of Waynesville itself. While some campgrounds like Caesar Creek offer significant tree cover and shade, others have more open sites. Campers particularly appreciate the clean facilities, with multiple reviews mentioning well-maintained shower houses and restrooms. Wildlife viewing opportunities include various bird species and small mammals like raccoons, which are commonly spotted throughout the camping areas.
"Great hiking trails through the woods. 12min from RenFair-a lot of fun! Waynesville-antique Mecca of Ohio-meh, not so much."
"There is a little store, but note that the firewood is in huge, unburnable pieces, (as most Ohio state park firewood is), so you'll need tons of kindling and several firestarters, or an ax and some way"
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry."
"Cowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. "
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"This campground is shady, quiet with plenty to do in the surrounding area. There is a pool, laundry room and large field with a playground and basketball court."
"There is a nice walking trail through the woods, a small pool, playground, and a pond for fishing."
from $47 - $75 / night
Check Availability"The campsite is next to the 12 mile set of mountain bike trails. It is a great mountain biking/camping getaway. The trails are easy, so for all levels. Nice camping for families. "
"Great place to visit has three parks in one John Bryant and Glen Helen nature preserve and Clifton Gorge are some of the best hiking trails in south west Ohio."
from $27 - $37 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Cute town Cons: sites are fairly close to each other."
"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."
"This is a great park in southern Ohio, easy to reach, 20 minutes off the interstate 275. There are a number of good sites, but some with a significant slope that leveling would be an issue."
from $27 - $70 / night
Check Availability"There is plenty of hiking close by and either Dayton to the north or Cincinnati to the south for plenty of things to do."
"We like the location to the State park nearby for hiking trails and mountain biking trails (Ceasar Creek). "
"https://www.morganscanoe.com/ This site is close to King's Island and Fort Ancient. It also was next to a bike trail. "
"The location is amazing being right next to the river. The sites are just a tad close together so we felt on top of the other campers and didn’t have privacy. I will definitely return though."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Along the Ohio river Morgan’s is the perfect spot to camp if you enjoy nature. The wooded sites are very large even the small ones with mature trees."
"We were also super close to Kings Island and took a day trip."
"Wonderful gem close to Caesar’s Creek and historic Waynesville. Sites are level with plenty of shade."
ScoutTheir sites are spacious and have many things for kids to do, swimming, scuba diving lessons, park, pool, splash pad, plus the float pads on the beach part.
Legend62 full hookup sites in the C Loop. 388 electric sites.
We stayed at site 58 which is a large sunny site by the bathroom/shower house. This would be a great site for a family- lots of room for kids to run around.
Bathroom/showers were disgusting! Just filthy, even for a state park. We only saw them "cleaned" once on Friday afternoon.
There's a boat launch just for campers. Actually several boat launches on the East side of the lake.
This is a big park for fishing & boating. My fisherguy did catch fish. There's a beach. Several hiking trails. The Glidewell Trail goes past an Indian Mound.
The camp store is really nice!
There's no nature center, but they have interpretive programs that meet at trailheads or the camp store.
This campground had a lot of empty sites, so it may be less popular than Whitewater Memorial State Park. Aside from the bathrooms, we had a good time there.
GuideCouldn’t get in to the Craser Lake campground because it was full came here as an alternative. Wooded sights are nice, large enough for trailer. No potable water. Pit toilets but they constructed a new modern outhouse but as of my visit not open. It’s an Equestrian friendly so lots of people with horses.
ScoutFirst and foremost, access is restricted active duty and retired military members. It’s quiet, clean and secure. The asphalted sites are closely spaced. This is not the sort of place we’d come for a scenic, back-to-nature getaway. We are on a long trip and needed a place to stop for several nights to take a break from travel days and catch up on chores. There is absolutely nothing negative about the campground. It’s just not “pretty.” Opinions may vary.
TravelerGreat quiet area. Can sit and listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling the leaves. Somehow we were lucky enough to book the only pull through site and it had full hookup on top of that. The woman that checked us in said it’s the most popular site they have because of this reasons. If you have little ones with you, they have a really nice nature center that’s open Friday and Saturday
ScoutCan stay lo g or short term great people and quiet
ScoutGreat flat gravel spots.
ScoutThey have horseback riding trails , bring your own horses , witch they have accomidations for or rent from near by stables . Basketball courts , bike rental, Bridle Path , Cornhole , drinking water ,dumpsters. Hiking , kayak rentals , nature center , mini golf ,mountain bike trailhead parking , pickle ball , ping pong , playground ,recycling , shelter house , shower houses ,soccer , volleyball ,wifi , all play courts are ADA accessable , full hookups , electric only hookups , boat ramps both camping & public sandy beeches , Really Nice Eauestrian Camping , golf cart use 416 sites
ScoutGreat place to spend a night while traveling, easy on and off of interstate and sites are very spacious. Nice folks too!
Caesar Creek State Park Campground lies 12 miles northwest of Waynesville in a region characterized by gently rolling terrain between 800-900 feet elevation. The surrounding area features hardwood forests interspersed with open meadows, creating diverse camping environments. Seasonal temperatures in the region range from winter lows in the 20s to summer highs in the mid-80s, with rainfall averaging around 42 inches annually.
Fossil hunting at Caesar Creek: The park issues permits for collecting fossils in designated areas. A camper notes, "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too."
Explore Fort Ancient: Located near Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure, this prehistoric Native American site offers educational exhibits. One visitor mentioned, "This site is close to King's Island and Fort Ancient."
Bike the Little Miami Trail: Several camping spots near Waynesville provide direct trail access. At Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure, a camper reported, "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."
Night paddling at Cowan Lake: Experience the lake after dark for a unique perspective. A visitor shared, "A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful."
Private bathrooms at Lebanon KOA: Many campers appreciate the individual shower facilities. One reviewer stated, "The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks."
Large campsites at Olive Branch: Sites offer good separation between campers. A visitor noted, "Sites are spacious and ours backed up to a wooded area. There is a nice walking trail through the woods, a small pool, playground, and a pond for fishing."
Free amenities at state parks: John Bryan State Park offers loaner items for visitors. According to a camper, "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park."
Reliable connectivity: Several campgrounds offer surprisingly good internet access. At Cowan Lake State Park, a camper 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."
Limited shade at Caesar Creek: The campground has fewer trees than some might expect. A visitor observed, "These sites have plenty of space between them. But there isn't a lot of shade. Partial shade is very generous for the B Loop."
Seasonal tree issues at Cowan Lake: Recent forestry management has changed the landscape. A camper noted, "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees."
Water conditions vary: Some swimming areas may not meet expectations. One Caesar Creek visitor warned, "No swimming even though camp ground seems to have beach. Its beach area is just mud and murky water."
Noise levels at riverside camps: Morgan's Riverside Campground can be lively, especially on weekends. A camper reported, "The noise was not the greatest. They assured us that there was a night person who monitored noise and partying... but a group of loud, drunk men right on the river were allowed to yell and make a ruckus until at least 2am."
Cabin options for beginners: For those new to camping, Morgan's Canoe offers entry-level accommodations. A visitor explained, "We enjoyed being able to be close to the river and then being inside with a floor/door which a tent wouldn't have given us that extra security. We had plenty of space for my friend, her two kids, and me."
Kid-friendly sites at Cowan Lake: The campground layout works well for children. One camper observed, "Nice cul-de-sac areas for groups with areas for kids to play. Ground is pretty level so bringing a bike for kids to ride on is nice. There is a playground in walking distance too."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many camping areas near Waynesville offer chances to spot local animals. At Caesar Creek, a camper shared, "Overall good times, except the raccoons stole our hot dog buns we had sitting on the picnic table for literally 5 minutes while we cooked our hot dogs."
Site selection at Stonelick: Some spots require careful leveling. A recent visitor advised, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Electricity considerations: Different campgrounds offer various hookup options. At Cowan Lake, a camper reported, "Electric site only, full service all full. A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides. Site 60, 46 feet max length, ours 39."
Monthly options for extended stays: Frontier Campground in Waynesville caters to longer-term campers. A reviewer mentioned, "Because they only allow monthly reservations, it keeps the traffic to a minimum and creates more of a community atmosphere."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Waynesville, Ohio?
Waynesville offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Frontier Campground provides a wonderful option with level, shaded sites close to Caesar's Creek and historic Waynesville. For metropark camping, Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks) at Twin Creek offers a unique experience in a former Boy Scout camp. Additionally, private options like Indian Springs Campground provide full hookup sites with amenities, though at a slightly higher price point.
What amenities does Frontier Campground in Waynesville, Ohio offer?
Frontier Campground is a peaceful retreat featuring level sites with plenty of shade trees. The campground is conveniently located near both Caesar's Creek and historic downtown Waynesville, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. While specific amenity details are limited in the reviews, the campground is known for its pleasant setting and is considered a hidden gem in the region. For RV campers seeking alternatives with full amenities, nearby Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities that accommodate big rigs.
Where are the best campgrounds near Waynesville, Ohio?
The Waynesville area boasts several exceptional campgrounds. Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers shady sites, particularly in Loop F, with clean shower facilities and access to hiking trails. It's just 12 minutes from the Renaissance Fair and close to Waynesville's antique shops. Cowan Lake State Park Campground is another excellent option with lake access, multiple bathhouses, and both electric and non-electric sites. Fall is particularly beautiful here, making it perfect for autumn camping trips.
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