Wilmington RV parks and campgrounds typically experience mild springs and falls with summer highs around 84°F and winter lows near 20°F. Situated in southwestern Ohio, the area features rolling terrain with elevations averaging 1,050 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds stay open from April through October with limited wintertime options.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers access to dedicated mountain biking paths directly from the camping area. "There is a little free library, which is a great idea. The snack bar was hopping the whole time," notes one visitor about the park's amenities.
Fishing opportunities: Stonelick State Park Campground provides productive fishing in its lake. "Good place to fish for bluegill and catfish. Awesome place to swim during daytime hours, just remember to use caution and don't go out of designated area," reports a regular camper.
Fossil hunting: Caesar Creek allows visitors to search for fossils with proper permits. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," mentions one camper who discovered this unique activity.
Kayaking access: Constitution County Park offers direct river access. "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," notes a paddler who visited.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cowan Lake State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower houses. "The restrooms were decent. They weren't new; however, they were very clean. I didn't check out any bath houses," reports a camper who stayed at site 78.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at Cowan Lake. "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," notes a recent visitor.
Heated pool: Thousand Trails Wilmington offers swimming facilities that extend the season. "The staff were friendly and the pool is heated! My family and I had a good time at Wilmington. It is close enough to Kings Island that we made a trip over," shares one family who enjoyed the amenities.
Kid-friendly atmosphere: Family activities abound at many local campgrounds. "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," observes a Cowan Lake camper.
What you should know
Internet connectivity: Cell service and data speeds vary significantly between campgrounds. "Internet here on t-mobile 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," reports a tech-savvy camper at Cowan Lake State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some sites require significant leveling equipment. "We camped at site 35 and it was very slopey, our levelers only helped a little," notes a visitor to Stonelick State Park.
Bathroom maintenance: Cleanliness can vary during busy periods. "First night the shower house STUNK but then the next day it smelled fine while our closest bathrooms were out of order," reports a camper from Stonelick State Park.
Seasonal limitations: Weather impacts facility operations. "Most sites do not have shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees," mentions a camper about Cowan Lake, which affects summer camping comfort.
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational opportunities: Caesar Creek State Park Campground offers learning experiences beyond typical camping. "We also went to a nearby pioneer village. We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," shares an educational-minded camper.
Consider cabin options: Multiple campgrounds offer alternatives to tent camping. "The cabins here have both a fire ring and grill. This isn't the case at all Ohio State parks so it was a nice surprise. They also have a porch that is screened in with a view of the lake," notes a visitor to Cowan Lake.
Scout out recreation amenities: Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort provides dedicated kids' activities. "Fun location just off the highway. Perfect for a family, has swimming pool, putt putt, and other child friendly activities... also has small fishing pond," reports a family-focused camper.
Check for bike-friendly paths: Several campgrounds feature paved loops for children's bikes. "The kids could scooter around. Quiet but full. We'd definitely stay again. Very clean and safe," shares a family who visited Tucker's Landing.
Tips from RVers
Electric service options: Dayton KOA Holiday provides multiple hookup configurations. "We paid $77 for a pull through with full hookups and a picnic table. The grounds are sprawling and the staff is friendly," reports an RVer passing through.
Site length considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. "I am using a pull through and it is long enough for my RV and 24' trailer. There is a very nice cement slab with a nice fire pit and picnic table," notes a visitor to Dayton KOA.
Pull-through availability: Experienced RVers recommend checking site configurations before booking. "We were assigned a pull-through with very low hanging tree limbs. I called the office and asked if we could use space 41 instead. No problem! Everything is clean, well cared for, and really pretty," shares a camper with a 45-foot Prevost who stayed at Tomorrow's Stars RV Resort.
Leveling requirements: Check site descriptions for levelness information. "Our campsite didn't have any trees but they have planted a lot of new trees. I assume this due the previous trees having to be cut down due to Emerald Ash borer damage," explains a Cowan Lake visitor regarding the trade-off between shade and site quality.
