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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
