Best Campgrounds near West Union, OH

West Union, OH is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Ohio camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near West Union, reviewed by campers like you.

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Best Camping Sites Near West Union, Ohio (83)

    1. Sandy Springs Campground

    33 Reviews
    Stout, OH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 640-7858

    $35 - $125 / night

    "Not a big deal unless you get a loud group nearby.

    Scenic area, hiking trails nearby. FYI- the state park golf course isn't there anymore, I had no idea (closed in 2019), disappointing."

    "The campground offers something for everyone: playground equipment, basketball hoop and various balls, access to the river for fishing, and absolutely stunning views of the Ohio as well as the surrounding"

    2. Shawnee State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Friendship, OH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-6652

    $24 / night

    "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites.   Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path. "

    "Right on the border of Kentucky, in Ohio, you are in the small town almost South.

    Beautiful countryside, fortunately I was on Rt 125 when I lost all clue where the park entrance was."

    3. East Fork State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Concord, OH
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 734-2730

    $29 - $30 / night

    "This is your standard Ohio State Park campground.  It has the usual parking, water, restrooms, camp store, and activities. 

    East Fork is rather nice as it has the lake and long trails. "

    "Our favorite campsite for the outskirts of Cincinnati. Lots of great spots available! You can get to the lake in about a 15 minute drive."

    4. The Captain’s Quarters

    1 Review
    Manchester, OH
    11 miles
    +1 (937) 217-0511

    $85 - $110 / night

    "Close to two distilleries and a winery just across the river in Kentucky. Tons of hiking trails and miles of the Ohio River for boating, jet skis and kayaking."

    5. Long's Retreat Family Resort

    13 Reviews
    Sinking Spring, OH
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 588-3725

    "We have been going here for the last 6 summers with a big group (nearly 30 kids with us). Everyone always has such a great time and it is the highlight of all the kids summers."

    6. Lawrence Creek

    2 Reviews
    Maysville, KY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 584-7805

    $15 - $50 / night

    "We walked the trail Saturday morning and walked around the site (which is small but nice). We have a site right on the creek and have seen a few boats come through."

    7. Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Olive Hill, KY
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 286-4411

    $20 - $120 / night

    "Water was running over the edges of cliffs and boulders throughout the park into the river that flows through the park."

    "Lots to do within walking distance of the campground too."

    8. Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Hillsboro, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 393-4284

    "The camp grounds we stayed in was nearly full and had every conceivable form of camping from tents to full size motor coaches."

    "Camp sites available next to the lake. Beautiful lake for kayaking, boating and swimming. Only downfall is that you have to drive a few miles to get to the beach."

    9. Bear Pond West Union

    Be the first to review!
    West Union, OH
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (513) 430-3032

    $35 - $50 / night

    10. Turkey Creek Campground — Shawnee State Park

    1 Review
    Friendship, OH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 858-4561

    $19 - $50 / night

    "General: It was a little confusing as the campground was called the Turkey Creek Campground, but it is located on Roosevelt Lake, not Turkey Creek Lake, which is a few miles further down the road."

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Recent Reviews near West Union, OH

576 Reviews of 83 West Union Campgrounds


  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Stonelick State Park Campground

    Big sites but can be loud and crowded

    Nice big sites, fairly level. We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little. First night the shower house STUNK but then the next day it smelled fine while our closest bathrooms were out of order. The trail to the lake was right next to the sit and that was lovely.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

    Great site, not a lot to do.

    Primitive Site 22 was fantastic, tucked away from everyone and quiet. Greenbo just doesn't have a lot to do if you arent boating. And that's okay. We just wanted a lazy trip anyway.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Rocky Fork State Park Campground

    Fine tenting, poorly kept

    8/13/2025

    Got here after dark, but navigated to a pretty secluded loop that's just for tenting (site 61 - see map). Stakes went in fine. Seemed to be a lot of different types of spiders, which was cool to see and even cooler that they didn't bug me. Less cool - the site wasn't very clean - bits of trash that a park attendant/ranger definitely should've been picking up. Moreover, there were stray cats living in that section (I saw three), which were very cute but I'm sure they're not living their best life and the wildlife probably don't appreciate them being around either. I called later to let the park know (nobody was around during my stay) and they said they'd get maintenance on it. If you stay here and see them, I'd urge you to let the park know again, or maybe call animal control.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Jim Terrell Park

    Looks Good!

    8/13/2025

    NOTE: I did NOT stay here. I was going to, but decided to drive a little farther than I had initially planned. I did want to check it out though because there aren't many reviews. 

    This looks like a solid option to tent for a night though. The town looks very nice and quiet, and the park seems well-kempt. If the sites are on the river, just know there's a restaurant on the opposite bank that might be a source of noise/light at night, and the park itself is kind of close to the road. I'm not exactly sure where one would tent, but there did seem to be some flat space behind a rafting/kayaking shack to the left as you pull in.

  • Rhonda B.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    The Landing at Bear Creek RV Park

    Best full time campground on the Ohio River!

    We are full-time RVers and this is by far the best park we've stayed at! It's peaceful and beautiful, everyone (especially Management) is so friendly and fun! The laundry facility is one of the greatest amenities as we've stayed other places without one, so we truly appreciate it! The splash pad is fantastic for children and adults alike! There's a dog park, and a kids kangaroo jump pad as well. The view of the river is beautiful! On weekends there's entertainment and/or cornhole tournaments to bring everyone together. The park is maintained perfectly and I've enjoyed calling it home! By far the best park in Southern Clermont County! Must see!

  • Jay T.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Attractive campground with variety of sites and amenities

    Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites.   Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path.  We stayed in 12.  If you don't mind hauling your gear a short distance from your car, sites like this are perfect as they're  for tent campers only.  The campground had fun amenities for kids, like a very small mini golf course and an outdoor screen for movie nights.  The shower houses were clean and the small camp store convenient.  All the Shawnee State Park staff I met were super friendly and helpful.

  • Adriyel P.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Ashland Huntington West KOA

    Good Basic KOA

    Plenty of spots, including pull thrus. More affordable than some of the nearby state “resort” parks, though without much in the way of shade or scenery. Staff is very kind, helpful, and understanding. Perfect for an overnight.

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cowan Lake State Park Campground

    Sizeable Site, Good for Families

    We stayed in Site 78. The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included.

    There was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun. Some sites were much larger than others.

    The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean. I didn't check out any bath houses.

    The campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious. Plenty of dogs were present.

    We'll return next summer.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Greenbo Lake State Resort Park

    Nice campground

    Been going to Greenbo since I was a kid in the 70s.  Facilities are well maintained and clean. The campground has been recently paved. Plenty of full service sites with sewer, but lots of other shady sites without sewer. Was there July 13-16, 2025 -- VERY HOT. Staff are friendly and just excellent. The operating hours of marina and other activities are out of date/wrong on the parks.ky.gov web site, just call the park for hours.

    Oh, if you want firewood, the campground office is at the marina. Go there, pay for the firewood, and it will be delivered to your site while you go enjoy the park.

    Mini golf is in good shape, get clubs and balls at marina. Be prepared, the course is hard, but in a fun way.

    Very bike friendly.


Guide to West Union

Camping near West Union, Ohio, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails around Cowan Lake State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Great hiking trails and people are friendly," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Deer Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper shared, "Fishing, well. It seems we didn't have the low down on good fishing spots," highlighting the potential for a great catch.
  • Family Activities: Sandy Springs Campground is known for its family-friendly atmosphere. One reviewer said, "The campsite is totally geared towards family fun!" with plenty of activities for kids and adults alike.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and shower houses. A visitor at Caesar Creek State Park Campground noted, "The showers are clean and the staff is friendly."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like East Fork State Park Campground, offer spacious sites. One happy camper remarked, "Neighbors weren’t sitting on top of one another," making it a comfortable experience.
  • Beautiful Scenery: Campers love the picturesque views. A review for Zilpo Campground described it as "a quiet, less utilized campground on Cave Run Lake," perfect for relaxation.

What you should know:

  • Site Availability: Some campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Carter Caves State Resort Park mentioned, "The tent sites are close together," so booking in advance is wise.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. A visitor at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground noted, "only bad on RV site no have a sewer connection but public bath very close."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Stonelick State Park Campground shared, "We saw deer, heard coyotes and even saw a flying squirrel one night," which adds to the camping experience.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. A family at Sandy Springs Campground enjoyed, "planned fun activities! And they had things for the adults as well."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to give kids room to play. A camper at East Fork State Park Campground appreciated the space, saying, "There was a tree for shade and plenty of space and grass to walk our dogs."
  • Pack Essentials: Make sure to bring everything you need, as some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A visitor at Cowan Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp store and laundry were closed," so plan accordingly.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Lengths: Before booking, check the pad lengths at campgrounds like Stonelick State Park Campground. One reviewer advised, "Some sites are really short. Be sure to check the pad length."
  • Use Leveling Blocks: Many sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground suggested, "Wound suggest bringing leveling blocks."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions. A visitor at Carter Caves State Resort Park noted, "There are many hiking options, some that explore the various caves around the grounds."

Camping near West Union, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tent camping sites in West Union?

Yes, tent campers have several options near West Union. Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers dedicated tent camping areas in their B campground section that are separated from RV sites, providing a quieter experience with nearby access to clean bathrooms and beach facilities. East Fork State Park Campground is another option with tent sites, offering access to a lake and extensive hiking trails. Many tent sites in these parks are nestled among trees, providing shade and a more natural camping experience.

What camping options are available in West Union?

The West Union area offers several camping options within driving distance. Sandy Springs Campground is a popular choice located on the Ohio River with level sites, scenic views, and amenities like private bathrooms with showers. For state park camping, Shawnee State Park Campground offers beautiful forest surroundings with hiking trails in southern Ohio. Additional options include Bear Pond West Union for drive-in camping with water and toilet facilities, and several other state parks within reasonable driving distance that provide varied experiences from lakeside to forest settings.

What RV parks can I find in West Union?

Paint Creek State Park Campground is a charming option near West Union that accommodates RVs, featuring multiple hiking trails through woods and fields, plus fishing opportunities and a boat dock. Another excellent choice is Jim Terrell Park, which offers camping facilities for RVs with registration available online. Both locations provide the essential amenities RV campers need while offering access to outdoor recreation. For those willing to travel a bit further, several other state parks in the region also accommodate RVs with varying hookup options.