Cincinnati camping spots include several options located directly within city limits for those who don't want to travel far. Winton Woods Campground sits on a lake offering kayaking access and biking trails just 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. The park maintains sites with full hookups, including 50-amp service for larger RVs, while offering wooded tent sites for those seeking more traditional camping.
What to do
Kayak from your campsite: At Winton Woods Campground, campers can launch directly from the campground area. "It sits on a lake with a kayak launch site right in the campground. I like the fact that there is a walking/bike path throughout the park," notes reviewer Suzy M.
Visit the bison herd: Drive 30 minutes to Big Bone Lick State Historic Site where you can see live bison on the property. "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" writes Zoe S. The park also features educational exhibits about prehistoric animals.
Play disc golf: Miami Whitewater Forest offers an 18-hole disc golf course near the campground. "There is a pool, mini golf, and tennis plus some play areas for the kids," reports Shelly S. The course provides a good mix of wooded and open fairways suitable for beginners.
What campers like
Urban camping convenience: Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park provides city access without the long drive. "Great campground and park. Plenty to do. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, splash park, etc.," writes Jeremy K. The campground offers gated security despite its urban location.
Paved, level sites: At East Fork State Park Campground, all campsites feature blacktop pads. "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds," notes Jarrod M. This makes setup easier even after rain, and the paved surface helps keep equipment clean.
Lake access: Stonelick State Park provides access to fishing and swimming. "My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water," writes Jess H. The lake supports various fish species including bluegill and catfish.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some parks like East Fork require reservations well in advance during peak season. "We reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site," reports Lee D.
Distance from water can be misleading: Not all "lakeside" campgrounds offer direct water access. "The State Park is on one side of the Lake and the Campground is on the other. There is no public road between the two. The campground is nice but it's an extremely long walking distance to the lake," explains Karen J. about East Fork State Park.
RV site limitations: At Tucker's Landing, expect additional charges beyond the base fee. "They charge extra for electrical usage. They have one washer and dyer coin laundry. Not much in the surrounding area," notes Marie B.
Tips for camping with families
Best playground access: Miami Whitewater Forest offers sites with playground visibility. "Nice flat camping areas for most sites, small campground with great views of playground for most sites near there," says Ronnie C.
Educational opportunities: Big Bone Lick provides learning activities. "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip. A good interactive grade school age children campground," shares Shelly S.
Beginner-friendly biking: Stonelick State Park offers easier trails for kids just learning to bike. "This is a great park in southern Ohio, easy to reach, 20 minutes off the interstate 275," notes Craig C., highlighting its accessibility and moderate trails.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Winton Woods offers the most comprehensive hookups near Cincinnati. "This is a great county park! It has a nice 'campground' feel set in a large pine trees and wide sites but has 50-amp full hook-up sites," writes Nancy W.
Site leveling challenges: At A.J. Jolly Park, be prepared for uneven grounds. "None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing to level your rig," advises Bobby C. Many Cincinnati-area campgrounds require leveling blocks or hydraulic systems.
Concrete pad positioning: Several campgrounds have poorly positioned concrete pads. "They are to small to park the average RV on and are on the wrong side of most rigs unless you pull in 1/2 the sites the electric is on the wrong side," warns Jeffrey D. about A.J. Jolly Park.
