Camping options near Waynesville, Ohio feature open, level sites typically on gravel pads across several state parks and privately-owned campgrounds. The region sits at approximately 760 feet above sea level in the Little Miami River watershed with moderate seasonal temperatures. Campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly when adjacent to the popular Kings Island amusement park or Caesar Creek Lake.
What to Do
Fossil hunting at Caesar Creek: Caesar Creek State Park Campground permits fossil collection with a free permit obtained from the visitor center. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," notes a camper who found the park to be "a hidden gem" with diverse activities.
Kayaking access points: Constitution County Park offers direct river access for paddlers. "It's literally right beside the river and it has a small ramp into the river. It's the perfect launching point for anyone wanting to take a kayaking trip down the river," explains one visitor.
Hiking trail connections: Thousand Trails Wilmington provides access to nearby trail systems. A regular visitor explains, "We like the location to the State park nearby for hiking trails and mountain biking trails (Caesar Creek)."
Pool and water recreation: Multiple rv sites near Waynesville offer swimming pools for summer enjoyment. "The pool is large and heated. The hot tub, however, has been under repair since we arrived. All in all, well worth it," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Wilmington.
What Campers Like
Full hookup availability: Camp Cedar provides complete services in newer facilities. A camper notes, "A campground that has full hookups and really neat cabins. The campground was just completed Aug 2021."
Heated pools: Several campgrounds maintain heated swimming pools for extended seasonal use. At Thousand Trails Wilmington, visitors appreciate that "the staff were friendly and the pool is heated! My family and I had a good time at Wilmington."
Cell service reliability: Most campgrounds maintain consistent connectivity. At Thousand Trails Wilmington, a full-time RVer reports, "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'."
Multiple loops with varying privacy: Campgrounds often offer distinct camping areas. Thousand Trails Wilmington features "3 loops - A mostly full hookup, B loop Water and Electric and C loop is a mix. If you like wooded areas check out C loop."
What You Should Know
Year-round camping options: Winton Woods Campground operates throughout winter when other facilities close. The campground provides "full hook ups" and visitors note it's a "great stop on our way back to Michigan."
Seasonal water restrictions: Many campgrounds turn off water connections during freezing weather. Check ahead when planning winter stays.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds sit close to roadways. At Constitution County Park, "The road is extremely near and you can hear every car driving by. It's way too open for my taste. Anyone can pull in and see your entire setup just from the road or parking lot."
Reservation challenges: Some booking systems present difficulties. One visitor to Winton Woods noted, "We needed to stay on a Monday night and tried all weekend to book a site online. Both the mobile site and the full website didn't work."
Tips for Camping with Families
Recreation amenities: Poor Farmer's Campground provides stream access for children. "A stream that runs through the campground is nice for the kids to play in when it's too hot for them on the play ground. They usually have a lot of activities for the weekends planned."
Stream exploration opportunities: Several campgrounds feature small waterways for wading. At Poor Farmer's, the stream provides relief "when it's too hot for them on the playground."
Weekend activity planning: Many campgrounds schedule regular weekend events. Poor Farmer's typically has "a lot of activities for the weekends planned."
Site spacing considerations: Look for sites with adequate separation. At Caesar Creek, "The sites are spacious with plenty of room for cornhole games" and campers appreciate that "sites are big and roomy. Plenty of room for a camper, tents, and outdoor games (cornhole, Kan jam, etc)."
Tips from RVers
Overnight transit stops: Dayton KOA Holiday works well for single-night stays. A traveler notes, "We stopped for one night. Beautiful grounds with ponds, pool and nice store. Friendly staff too! We made a note of this KOA to return for a longer stay."
Site conditions: Gravel sites predominate throughout campgrounds near Waynesville, which can present challenges in wet weather. At Dayton KOA Holiday, campers appreciate that "The campsites are shaded and pretty level. I am using a pull through and it is long enough for my RV and 24' trailer."
Laundry facilities: Ensure campgrounds offer laundry if needed for extended stays. Tucker's Landing reports "one washer and dryer coin laundry" with visitors noting it's "clean, new and level. Great river views."
Parking pad materials: Concrete pads are available at select rv sites near Waynesville. "Each spot has its own concrete slab for your RV, so you don't have to worry about parking in the mud," reports a visitor to Tucker's Landing.
