Cincinnati offers RV camping options within an hour's drive from the city center. The region features low hills and elevations between 500-1,000 feet with several rivers, creating scenic camping areas. Most campgrounds near Cincinnati have full or partial hookups with varying levels of shade and proximity to water features.
What to do
River activities: fishing and kayaking: At Tucker's Landing, campers can enjoy the Ohio River. "We visited for a weekend in April. Site 22 had a beautiful view of the ohio river. The kids enjoyed seeing the barges going up and down the river," notes Lindsey S. The campground provides river access though some areas may be muddy.
Local attractions: museums and theme parks: Many campers use these campgrounds as a base for exploring Cincinnati and nearby attractions. "Stayed here a night to go to the Reds game. Easy in and out. Nice sites. Confirmed it all over email. Ubered into the city and back," writes Jennifer H. about Tucker's Landing. Campgrounds like Three Springs Campground are positioned near popular attractions: "This is the closest RV Park Campground to the Ark Encounter-only 10 miles south."
Hiking trails: wooded paths: Several campgrounds offer on-site hiking opportunities. "It has 3 beautiful hiking trails," mentions Three Springs Campground's host. At Thousand Trails Wilmington, one camper notes: "We like the location to the State park nearby for hiking trails and mountain biking trails (Ceasar Creek)."
What campers like
Concrete pads: level and clean: Many campgrounds feature concrete parking pads. "Each plot also has it's own concrete slab for your RV, so you don't have to worry about parking in the mud," writes Daniel G. about Tucker's Landing. At Follow The River RV Resort, Alan B. appreciates "mostly level concrete pads, nice picnic table & fire ring."
Quiet settings: peaceful atmosphere: Despite proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain a tranquil environment. "Super quiet during the week," notes Jeff S. about Follow The River RV Resort. Another camper shared about Winton Woods: "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."
Well-maintained facilities: clean bathrooms: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities. "The bathrooms having regular working toilets and showers. The bathrooms are very nice," says Jessica G. about Follow The River RV Resort. At Three Springs Campground, Donald J. noted: "Bathrooms are clean and the hosts are attentive."
What you should know
Train noise: nighttime disturbances: Some campgrounds experience train noise that can disrupt sleep. At Northern Kentucky RV Park, Rodney L. mentions "its a nice place to camp the only bad a train horn and noise." Another reviewer adds: "The freeway traffic is very loud 24 hours and the train comes at least 2 times per night (2am and 5am Sunday night anyway) blowing its horn."
Seasonal operations: limited winter availability: Many campgrounds have limited seasons. Thousand Trails Wilmington operates from "April 17 to October 30," while Northern Kentucky RV Park runs from "March 1 to November 1." Plan accordingly when scheduling winter camping trips.
Reservation systems: technical difficulties: Some campers report issues with online booking. At Three Springs Campground, one reviewer shared their process: "I decided to drive by on a roadtrip to see if I could spend the night before continuing on in the morning. The dates were not populating on the reservation website and no one answered the phone, so I just drove in around 10."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: kid-friendly areas: Not all campgrounds have playgrounds. At Tucker's Landing, one camper noted: "There wasn't any playgrounds for the kids but they still had fun." In contrast, Follow The River RV Resort offers "a pool, volleyball courts and a dog park," according to Jessica G.
Family activities: recreation options: Winton Woods Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "Great campground and park. Plenty to do. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, splash park, etc.," writes Jeremy K. Thousand Trails Wilmington provides "a small Putt putt course, Game room, lending Library, Basketball half-court, horseshoes, Volleyball, GAGA ball area."
Space for kids: room to play: Sites with ample space allow children to play safely. At Tucker's Landing, a camper shared: "Nice paved roads. The kids could scooter around. Quiet but full." Another mentioned: "Each spot had plenty of space for activities."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: maximize views: When possible, request sites with views. At Tucker's Landing, Claire M. advises: "We moved around several times as they accommodated us month to month. We stayed on sites 78, 64, and 33. 33 was definitely our favorite with an awesome view of the river."
Hook-up verification: avoid surprises: Always confirm what hook-ups are actually available at your site. At Thousand Trails Indian Lakes, one camper shared their experience: "I was told if the spot we got didn't work we could pick something else. At 8pm during dinner we were disturbed by a park ranger and forced to move to a spot half the size with no hookups."
Internet connectivity: varied coverage: Internet availability differs between campgrounds. Emerson F. reports at Thousand Trails Wilmington: "I use Starlink and T-mobile 5G. The T-Mobile seems to be working best here. The cell booster I have made it go from 'good' to 'excellent'."
