Yurt camping in Oxford, Ohio sits within a region of rolling hills and forests with an elevation ranging from 700 to 900 feet above sea level. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with humid summers reaching 85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most camping sites in the region are situated along bodies of water that were formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago.
What to do
Mountain biking on trails: Hueston Woods State Park Campground has several marked trails near the reservoir area that are popular with bikers. "I did not have time to walk any trails, but talked with mountain bikers that spoke favorably. There were several marked trails near the reservoir area," notes a camper at Hueston Woods State Park Campground.
Scuba diving opportunities: Natural Springs Resort offers clear spring water perfect for diving. "Lake with beach, fishing, boating, and scuba diving. Golf cart rentals, firewood for sale on site," explains a reviewer who enjoyed the various water activities available at Natural Springs Resort.
Paddle sports on multiple lakes: Brookville and Whitewater lakes provide excellent kayaking options. "Whitewater Memorial State Park is located close to Liberty Indiana and is our favorite between the two major parks on Brookville Lake. It has water access to both Brookville and Whitewater lakes. Many fishermen and kayakers frequent the lake trails," shares an experienced visitor.
Night paddling during full moons: Cowan Lake State Park offers unique evening kayaking experiences. A visitor recounts, "A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful... The boat ramp and parking lot is easy to use and has a good layout."
What campers like
Spacious camping sites: Many campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites for comfortable yurt camping near Oxford. "Very nice campground inside the urban loop in Cincinnati. Close to everything, yet quiet and secluded camping experience," notes a reviewer at Winton Woods Campground.
Camping with lake views: Several locations offer sites with water visibility. At Cowan Lake, "They also have a porch that is screened in with a view of the lake. You are not able to walk down to the lake from the cabin but it is a lovely view."
Educational trail features: Nature lovers appreciate the informational resources on walking paths. A camper at Cowan Lake State Park Campground shares, "The trails here are easy and short. 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 or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail."
Lending programs: Some parks offer unique amenity sharing. "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park," mentions a visitor who enjoyed these thoughtful additions.
What you should know
Winter camping conditions: Winter campers should prepare for unplowed sites. At Winton Woods, one camper reported, "When we arrived, we found that none of the back in sites had been plowed! All of the pull through sites were plowed and there were plenty open... Instead we struggled to get into and out of our site and had to walk very carefully around our RV when hooking up and disconnecting."
Wildlife encounters: Some areas have active wildlife that may approach campsites. At Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground, a visitor warns, "Watch out for the 🦝 raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in you vehicle or well secured."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and maintenance differ between and within parks. At Hueston Woods, a camper noted, "In the larger non-electric loop newer restrooms existed...modern bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked with TP. No paper towels offered, only electric hand dryers. Bathroom stalls, like the showers, utilized shower curtains rather than lockable doors. In my tent area...antiquated wood shed pit latrines...that truly needed razed."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds have challenging booking processes. One camper shared, "We needed to stay on a Monday night and tried all weekend (Sat and Sun before) to book a site online. Both the mobile site and the full website didn't work."
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly camping loops: Several campgrounds feature safe areas for children to ride. At Stonelick State Park Campground, a visitor with children shared, "My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean."
Kid-specific amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. "Very nice campground with a variety of things to do there. 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. It's great for exploring," notes a reviewer about Winton Woods.
All-weather options: Have backup plans for rainy days. "If it's raining no worries. It is close to restaurants and shopping," advises a camper at Winton Woods, noting the convenience of nearby indoor activities when outdoor plans get washed out.
Age-appropriate water activities: Different parks cater to various swimming abilities. Natural Springs Resort offers "Water activities, playground, and a splash pad is still under construction," according to a recent visitor, making it suitable for families with younger children learning to swim.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campsites require significant leveling equipment. A camper at Stonelick State Park mentioned, "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little."
Full hookup availability: Many RVers note limited full hookup sites. At Hamilton County Park Winton Woods Campground, a visitor advised, "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. There is a fire ring, a picnic table and an oversized gravel spot with plenty of trees to hang my hammock from."
Site selection for first-timers: New RVers should look for easy-access sites. A camper shared, "We just purchased an RV and was so excited to take a trip with it!! Being a first time RV owner we didn't want to travel too far from home just in case something would go wrong. I got spoiled by going to Hueston Woods for our first outing! VERY clean, there was a playground for the kids, bathroom and shower facilities were available, and lets not forget the easy access to fresh water and dumping stations!"
