Rhonda M.
Scout
ScoutTomorrow's Stars RV Resort
Great Overnight Stop
Great place to spend a night while traveling, easy on and off of interstate and sites are very spacious. Nice folks too!
Best Campgrounds near Zoar, OH
The Zoar, Ohio area encompasses several established campgrounds within an hour's drive, primarily offering developed sites with amenities. State parks dominate the camping landscape, with Cowan Lake State Park, Caesar Creek State Park, and East Fork State Park providing the core camping infrastructure. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several locations like Morgan's Riverside Campground and Stonelick State Park also featuring cabin options for those seeking more comfort. The region's camping areas typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities, with many sites offering electric hookups.
Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the region, with several parks operating on limited schedules from April through October. "Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio," notes one visitor to Cowan Lake State Park. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Water access represents a significant draw for many campers, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or along the Little Miami River. Facilities at state parks generally include shower houses, drinking water, and sanitary dump stations for RVs, though amenities vary by location. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few campgrounds like Caesar Creek and East Fork remaining open year-round.
Campers consistently mention water recreation as a highlight of the region, with boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities available at most state parks. According to reviews on The Dyrt, many campgrounds have undergone recent improvements, with Cowan Lake State Park receiving praise for its revamped cabins and nature center. Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering more secluded sites than others. Several reviewers note that John Bryan State Park provides good access to mountain biking trails suitable for all skill levels, while others mention the proximity of Yellow Springs as an attraction. Campgrounds closer to Cincinnati tend to be more developed and busier, while those farther from urban areas generally offer more natural settings and quieter experiences.
Best Camping Sites Near Zoar, Ohio (100)
1. Stonelick State Park Campground
30 ReviewsGoshen, OH12 milesWebsite+1 (513) 625-6593$27 - $70 / night
"Our spot was right next to a small Pollinator trail that lead to the water. My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean."
"This is a great park in southern Ohio, easy to reach, 20 minutes off the interstate 275. There are a number of good sites, but some with a significant slope that leveling would be an issue."
2. Caesar Creek State Park Campground
49 ReviewsWaynesville, OH17 milesWebsite+1 (937) 488-4595$39 - $52 / night
"There is a little store, but note that the firewood is in huge, unburnable pieces, (as most Ohio state park firewood is), so you'll need tons of kindling and several firestarters, or an ax and some way"
"We stayed in Site 12, which was huge and conveniently located close to a fairly new shower house. That facility was among the very best I've seen! Amazingly clean!"
3. East Fork State Park Campground
64 ReviewsConcord, OH22 milesWebsite+1 (513) 734-2730$39 - $52 / 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. Olive Branch Campground
13 ReviewsOregonia, OH8 milesWebsite+1 (513) 932-2267$47 - $75 / night
"This campground is shady, quiet with plenty to do in the surrounding area. There is a pool, laundry room and large field with a playground and basketball court."
"There is a nice walking trail through the woods, a small pool, playground, and a pond for fishing."
5. Cowan Lake State Park Campground
28 ReviewsWilmington, OH16 milesWebsite+1 (937) 382-1096$29 - $160 / night
"Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry."
"Cowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. "
6. Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA
10 ReviewsLebanon, OH6 milesWebsite+1 (513) 932-7717"This KOA sets the bar for the Ohio locations we have visited. The bathrooms are amazing and private. The tent site we had was huge and there were actually trees for our suspended tent and hammocks."
"Cute town Cons: sites are fairly close to each other."
7. Winton Woods Campground
23 ReviewsFairfield, OH18 milesWebsite"Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks. 1.7 mile paved walking trail is great for walking, running and biking. A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by."
"The location is located on the lake with access to put in a kayak or canoe. The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls."
8. Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins
5 ReviewsOregonia, OH6 milesWebsite+1 (513) 899-2166"Along the Ohio river Morgan’s is the perfect spot to camp if you enjoy nature. The wooded sites are very large even the small ones with mature trees."
"We were also super close to Kings Island and took a day trip."
9. Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Adventure
5 ReviewsOregonia, OH6 milesWebsite+1 (513) 899-2166$30 / night
"https://www.morganscanoe.com/ This site is close to King's Island and Fort Ancient. It also was next to a bike trail. "
"The location is amazing being right next to the river. The sites are just a tad close together so we felt on top of the other campers and didn’t have privacy. I will definitely return though."
10. Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park
13 ReviewsFairfield, OH18 milesWebsite+1 (513) 851-2267$43 - $73 / night
"The campground fills up fast and there were plenty of shaded electric sites close to the lake. There were also plenty of pull through sites for the big rigs."
"Playground and walk path well kept."
Recent Camping Photos near Zoar, OH
217 Photos of 100 Zoar Campgrounds
Amanda S.
Morgan's Riverside Campground & Cabins
Allyson R.
Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Adventure
Joel R.
Lebanon-Cincinnati NE KOA
Cindy B.
Olive Branch Campground
Andrea F.
Stonelick State Park Campground
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Wilmington
Mike Y.
Caesar Creek Day Lodge And Group Camps — Caesar Creek State Park
Rachel S.
Cowan Lake State Park Campground
Gary V.
Caesar Creek State Park Campground
Rodney L.
Winton Woods Campground Hamilton County Park
Michael B.
Winton Woods Campground
Camden H.
Constitution County Park
Recent Reviews near Zoar, OH
705 Reviews of 100 Zoar Campgrounds
- KKristi H.Scout
Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park
Called to get Info
I called to get information on the park prices and requirements but they have to call me back with the info...
Cassandra H.
TravelerBig Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
Great for a family trip
We had such a good time we extended our trip. Only 3 mile of trails, but fabulous for the family and well kept. Creek is great to play in. So much wildlife. The campground and facilities were in great shape. The only minor issue was the camp store and museum only open Thursday -Sunday, but we were visiting early in the season. Paved campground is great for bikes, scooters and roller skates! Spigots are far from some.of the sites and you may need more than a 50 ft hose for water hook up.
thomas A.ScoutCamp Cottonwood
Cotton wood camp ground
Have to get back to camping there. Always had a good time. Swimming ,camping ,kayaking, tubing and always having something fun to do
Chasity S.TravelerThe Landing at Bear Creek RV Park
Worst management! I’m afraid to even still be here!
The lady at Bear Creek started out in June 2025 a quiet place with friendly management and their friendly family entire family that all live at one end of the park so no one else can have their spaces a family that causes nothing but gossip and drama that is the reason why I stopped going to throw in dinners and events. The campground itself is a mess management let potholes go all winter long to the point that it was so bad people were complaining. I myself complained, and they acted like they were doing us a favor by getting some gravel and trying to half ass fill the holes the porta potties were out of commission all summer last summer and so far are still out of commission. The splash pad is a joke. The pavilion is just a place with some picnic tables and they have allowed DJ or live band on Friday or Saturday nights where they can all get drunk and act. Accordingly we asked for the owners number to voice our complaints to the people that own the landing at Bear Creek, but management refuses to give the owners information and we had to go other routes to get that information since then they have been harassing us taunting us. They called the police and tried to kick us out without our campers without my therapy cats without our pets without our belongings without our homes we sold our four bedroom house and bought two big campers and this is where we live full-time we will be leaving in April 2026. It is now March 2026 the middle of March and the harassment hasn’t stopped. They have told people things about us that are not true. They’ve been returning our mail just a laundry list of things that are not only illegal, but scary that two people could be that unhinged that they would act this way toward anybody, especially people like myself who have never had a complaint. I never really leave my camper because I have a small business that I run never caused any problems never caused a disturbance and I’ve been here since June 2025 once they found out that we were moving and that we wanted to talk to the owners to follow voice our complaints. It’s been nothing but police and harassment and it’s to the point where I’m afraid to even stay here. I’m afraid they’re going to harm my cats or myself. I’ve never seen two people more unhinged and crazy and spiteful and vengeful as I have the managers that are currently managing the landing at Bear Creek. I’ve never had this much interaction with police officers over managers of a property harassing so badly, knowing that I have mental health issues and using those mental health issues as a threat against me, I do not recommend people come. They stay for maybe a month or two and leave because they realize how awful this place is the gossip the drama there’s been drugs. There’s been a guy that had a knife and was trying to stab all his neighbors, and they found cocaine in his camper. There have been numerous incidents. Someone passed away out here in a strange fashion. This place is a wasteland. It is a routing negative energy and management is childish petty and the most spiteful, crazy, insane unhinged people I have ever seen in my entire life, the way that they have been behaving with their children in their truck driving up to my camper, harassing me outside of my camper, returning my mail just all this craziness. I can’t believe it. I can’t even put together in words to leave this post right now I’m so sorry this is the worst place I’ve ever seen and neither of the worst type of people I’ve ever met in my entire life. Please do not stay here for your own safety. If you’re trying to reach the owners to file a complaint about management the first picture shows you how to do so because management will not give you the owners information.
- M
Monica L.ScoutKincaid Lake State Park Campground
Beautiful Park, Not Big Rig Friendly
Excellent park for small to mid campers. Main road driving in is VERY narrow and curvy. Can be very difficult to pass oncoming traffic in various areas on road as there is nowhere to merge when meeting oncoming traffic. We have a 38’ pull behind and I will not take it here. Simply not safe as there is not enough room to maneuver at all for a camper that size. Beautiful park for small campers and tents!
- pphyllis E.Scout
Dayton KOA Holiday
Very clean and shady
The campsites are shaded and pretty level. 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.
Byron S.
GuideWright-Patterson FamCamp
Nice RV park
The sites are paved and level, had full hook ups, WIFI, cellular, shower house. Surprisingly it was not noisy being near the flight line. The site is clean and well maintained. There is a lot to do and visit on and off post. Unfortunately the Air Museum was closed because of the budget shut down but all other services were available (commissary, BX, etc). I would recommend staying here if you are active duty or Veteran.
Shelby I.ScoutRocky Fork State Park Campground
A place to sleep
Camp sites are very tightly packed together and feels like I'm in someone's backyard that is having trouble growing grass.
Guide to Zoar
Zoar, Ohio camping areas operate primarily from spring through fall, with limited winter availability. While state parks dominate the region's camping landscape, many smaller facilities offer unique experiences with varying levels of development. The Little Miami River provides significant recreational opportunities for campers, with several campgrounds featuring direct river access for fishing and paddling. Most campgrounds in the area sit within a 45-minute drive of Zoar, creating convenient basecamp options for exploring both natural settings and nearby attractions.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: The Little Miami Scenic Trail passes near several campgrounds, offering paved paths for cyclists of all abilities. "The campground was only about three miles from a trailhead on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. We would definitely return," notes Cindy B. about Olive Branch Campground.
Fossil hunting: Some parks offer unique geological activities not commonly found elsewhere. At Caesar Creek State Park Campground, visitors can obtain special permits for fossil collection. "We even got a permit to collect fossils. Great visitor centers too," writes Kenpocentaur K.
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds provide lake or river access for swimming, fishing and boating. "Amazing views of the water and surrounding wooded areas. 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," advises Lisa S. about Stonelick State Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers highlight the generous spacing between sites as a major benefit. At Morgan's Riverside Campground, "The wooded sites are very large even the small ones with mature trees. So close to everything Cincinnati has to offer but beautiful scenic river views," according to Janine.
Kayaking opportunities: Direct river access for paddlers is a significant draw. "Morgan's is amazing! They have been around for a few generations and provide canoeing, rafting, and kayaking at different trip lengths for a great price. There are plenty of spots along the beautiful Little Miami River Valley to pull your canoe off to the side and sit and hang out," reports Carolyn M.
Urban proximity with natural setting: Several campgrounds balance accessibility with a nature-focused experience. "This is a great county park! It has a nice 'campground' feel set in large pine trees and wide sites but has 50-amp full hook-up sites. The campground is set in Winton Woods County Park which is about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati," notes Nancy W.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: River proximity means occasional water level concerns. At Morgan's Riverside, "We stayed in early May, which is usually when they do their Triathlon. The Army Corps of Engineers decided to let water out of the dam up river, so it was flooded for a couple days," shares Amanda S.
Tree coverage varies: Recent tree management has changed shade conditions at some parks. "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees," Brandon P. reports about Cowan Lake State Park Campground.
Site quality differences: Considerable variation exists between loops and specific sites within the same campground. "The sites are big and roomy. Plenty of room for a camper, tents, and outdoor games (cornhole, Kan jam, etc). The sites do not have much shade with trees lining the back. We stayed on site 189 and liked the size and location," explains Jill L. about Caesar Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained play areas for children. At Stonelick State Park Campground, "My little ones had a blast riding their scooters around the round about. The restrooms are a quick walk and very clean. The showers and park are a small walk but also super nice," reports Jess H.
Bike-friendly paths: Paved roads within campgrounds provide safe cycling for kids. "It is small enough to let my kids roam a bit on their bikes and feel comfortable not having eyes on them 24/7. Quiet and Clean," notes Jason L. about Stonelick State Park.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds provide designated swimming areas, though water quality varies. "We were there over Labor Day weekend and it was a quiet park except for the occasional golf cart late at night going by," shares Andrea F. about East Fork State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have mixed reviews regarding site levelness. At Winton Woods Campground, "There are 123 campsites including RV sites, tent pads, and camping cabins. Most RV sites are back-in but there are 12 pull-thru sites. There is a myriad of sites here from 50-amp full hook-up with paved pads and patios to 30-amp gravel sites," explains Nancy W.
Full hookup availability: Some campgrounds offer limited full-service sites that book quickly. At Olive Branch Campground, "Very well kept campground with a lot of shade trees. Good separation of seasonal and overnight campers. Pull through and back ins available with full hookups," notes Dave B.
Utility placement: Check hookup locations when booking as some sites have unusual setups. At Olive Branch, "All hookups are in the middle of the site my standard cord was not long enough. Water pressure very good, wifi but they want no streaming?? 50 amp service was adequate," reports Bryan Y.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Zoar, OH?
Which is the most popular campground near Zoar, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Zoar, OH is Stonelick State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 30 reviews.
What parks are near Zoar, OH?
What parks are near Zoar, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Zoar, OH that allow camping, notably West Fork of Mill Creek Lake and Paint Creek Lake.
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