Campgrounds in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana are open for the season – and after so much time spent inside over the past few years, spending some time in the great outdoors is going to be a welcomed change of pace (and scenery!) for many in the Cincinnati area this summer.
We have lots of great campgrounds to choose from near Cincinnati … and plenty of options for all kinds of camping and skill levels. Whether you’re a novice camper, an experienced outdoorsman, bringing along an RV, or keeping it primitive and off the grid, there’s lots of choices within just a few hours.
Be sure to check the campground website (included in our list below) or give them a call if you have any questions or concerns before heading out.
Camping in Ohio (near Cincinnati)
Enjoy our list of campgrounds in and around Cincinnati– tent camping locations, primitive camp sites, RV camper locations, and more!
Winton Woods Campground
Winton Woods campground is a local favorite, located about 20 miles north of Cincinnati close to Greenhills. This outdoor spot has a ton of amenities, making it great for campers who like the outdoors but might not necessarily want to be fully “roughing it” in the wild. The campground features a camp store, washer and dryer, group activity shelter, a playground, Wi-Fi, and is within walking distance of Winton Woods Harbor and and a paved walking trail around Winton Woods Lake. Winton Woods park offers nature trails, fishing, picnic areas, a golf course, Parky’s Farm, and horseback riding just a short drive from the campground.
Campground includes 113 total campsites:
(all campsites include electricity)
- 25 RV back-in sites with full hook-up
- 12 RV pull-through sites with full hook-up
- 68 tent sites with electric
- 8 rustic camping cabins with one double and three single beds, kitchen table, electric, heat and air conditioning
Read all about our visit to Winton Woods here
Winton Woods Campground Website
East Fork State Park
Clocking in at 4,870 acres, East Fork State Park is one of Ohio’s largest state parks and is located 25 miles outside of Cincinnati in Clermont County. The park will keep campers of all ages entertained all day with a swimming beach, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, and horseback riding. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars and field journals – nature lovers will love checking out the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, including hills, grasslands, swamp forests, floodplains, and old farmlands.
East Fork State Park Website
Miami Whitewater Forest Campground
The Miami Whitewater Forest Campground is nestled in the 4,400+ acre park just 25 miles northwest of Cincinnati. All ages can enjoy the wooded park, a playground for kids, and a harbor and 85-acre lake within walking distance of the campground.
Miami Whitewater Forest has something for everyone. The park itself is a hiker’s paradise with 6 trails (including the 7.8-mile paved Shaker Trace trail). Bring along your golf clubs to spend the afternoon at the Miami Whitewater Forest Golf Course or lace up your gym shoes and hit the fitness trail. Your pup can even join in the fun at the 11-acre dog park and dog agility course.
The campground includes 46 campsites, each with a 30 amp electric hookup, a picnic table, and a fire ring.
Read all about our visit to Miami Whitewater Forest
Miami Whitewater Forest Campground Website
Lake Isabella
This spot is for the campers who want a more primitive approach. These sites aren’t quite as intense as “Into the Wild” or hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but they can make you feel like you’re roughing it a bit more than the other local campgrounds. Hand carts are available to transport camping gear from cars to campsites (no parking is available at the sites), and port-o-let restrooms and potable water are available on site.
The Lake Isabella campground is within walking distance of a playground, the Lake Isabella boathouse and fishing lake, and the Little Miami River canoe and kayak launch.
Campground includes 24 primitive tent sites, including:
- A picnic table at each site
- Communal fire ring per group of four campsites
Read all about our visit to Lake Isabella here
Lake Isabella’s Campground Website
Caesar Creek State Park Campground
Who would have guessed we have a beach right here in southern Ohio! Don’t believe me? Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville has over 1,200 feet of beach along Caesar Creek Lake with swimming, fishing and even water skiing. Combine water activities with 40+ miles of hiking trails and 60+ species of plants and wildlife, and it’s no surprise that you might want to make a whole weekend (or week!) of it at Caesar Creek State Park campground.
The campground has over 250 campsites, ranging from tent camping to RVs. Bathrooms and shower houses are available throughout the campground, along with electricity and full hook up site options, picnic tables, fire rings, a camp store, and a boat ramp.
Caesar Creek State Park Website
Stonelick State Park
Stonelick State Park is located in southwest Ohio on 1,058 acres of rolling highlands filled with diverse fossils and rocks. Campers of all experience levels can make a fun weekend here, with both primitive group sites and sites with electricity available. If you don’t have camping gear, Rent-A-Camp units are available in the summer months which include tents, a dining canopy, cooler, and cook stove.
Stonelick State Park Website
Hueston Woods State Park
Hueston Woods features close to 3,000 acres of outdoor fun in Butler and Preble counties. Campers can enjoy hiking, fishing, golf, disc golf, canoeing, fossil hunting, archery, and the park’s 625-acre Acton Lake (with a boat ramp, docks, and boat rental options).
With over 200 camp sites available, you can pick from primitive sites, electric campsites, and an equestrian camping area. If you’re looking for a more unique experience, you can even reserve a yurt for the night!
Hueston Woods State Park Website
John Bryan State Park Campground
This hidden gem in Yellow Springs, Ohio is the ultimate destination for Ohio camping. John Bryan State Park boasts miles and miles of scenic hiking trails – and if you can’t get enough of the outdoors, the campground is also within a few miles of the Little Miami State Forest Preserve, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, and (one of my personal favorites) Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
The Little Miami River runs through John Bryan State Park (and many of the nearby nature preserves) so if you love a day on the water, be sure to carve out some time for canoeing and kayaking.
Known for its colorful buildings, the downtown area of Yellow Springs is just a few miles from John Bryan State Park and offers an eclectic assortment of shopping, dining, and events.
John Bryan State Park Website
Cowan Lake State Park
Located north of Cincinnati in Wilmington, Cowan Lake State Park is known for its scenic inlets full of the American Lotus water lily. While many try to stay “unplugged” while camping, I don’t think anyone will blame you for snapping some pictures on your phone to capture some of the park’s beauty!
The campground has 200+ campsites, including:
- 200+ electric campsites
- 17 non-electric campsites
- 4 wheelchair accessible campsites
- Cottages with shower, screened porch, color TV, cooking utensils, bed linens, and towels
- Camper’s beach
- Showerhouse and laundry facilities
- Bike rental and basketball courts
Cowan Lake State Park Website
Campgrounds in Indiana
Enjoy our list of tent camping locations, primitive camp sites, and RV camper locations in the eastern part of Indiana. All are within 1-2 hours of Cincinnati, Ohio
Whitewater Memorial State Park
Whitewater Memorial State Park is located in eastern Indiana about 60 miles northwest of downtown Cincinnati. The park is known for its 200-acre man-made lake, which is just a 1-mile hike from the campground. If you’re a hiker, you can also trek through the park’s other marked trails ranging from 1.2-2.7 miles (or if you’re an equestrian, take your horse out on the 9-mile Bridle Trails).
The campground has over 300 campsites, including:
- 236 electric campsites
- 45 non-electric campsites
- 37 horsemen’s primitive campsites
- Cabins
- Camp Store
Whitewater Memorial State Park Website
Versailles State Park
Spend a long weekend at Indiana’s second largest state park, located just about 50 miles east of downtown Cincinnati. If you enjoy camping in the fall, plan your trip around the Versailles Pumpkin Show (last weekend in September) or the Bluegrass Festival (first weekend of October) – or if you’re already planning on attending, the campground is a great option for lodging!
Rent a rowboat, kayak, or canoe and head on out to the 230-acre fishing lake, or spend the afternoon hiking or mountain biking on one of the park’s many trails. Visit the overlook at the park’s dam to check out the local wildlife, or learn about the park’s history in the Civil War. One thing’s for sure – there’s plenty to do at Versailles State Park!
The campground has 200+ campsites, including:
- 226 electric campsites
- 9 electric equestrian campsites
- Group camp
- Camp store
Versailles State Park Website
Brookville Lake
Brookville Lake is located just under 50 miles northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio and is home to the Mounds SRA (Mounds State Recreation Area) and Quakertown SRA (Quakertown State Recreation Area).
Whether you’re camping with the kids or planning a kid-free trip, Brookville Lake has TONS of activities for all ages: boating, fishing, archery, hunting, paddle boarding, a shooting range, a playground, a swimming beach, volleyball, and water skiing. The park is home to 25+ miles of hiking trails, and the lake itself is over 5,000 acres with 9 boat launch ramps. The park is also a stop on the Indiana Birding Trail – so be sure to bring your binoculars!
The campground has 400+ campsites, including:
- 62 full hookup campsites
- 388 electric campsites
- Camp Store
Brookville Lake State Park Website
Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Falls State Park is located about 75 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati. A local hiker’s dreamland, choose from 10 hikes ranging from 0.75 miles to 4.5 miles and “easy” to “very rugged” difficulty levels. Several of the trails are along the Brough’s Folly 1852 railroad path, and many lead hikers through a canyon and offer scenic waterfall views. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can spend the day at the park’s swimming pool (with a water slide!), the Clifty Inn and Restaurant, or at the nearby Lanier State Historic Site in Madison.
The campground has 150+ campsites, including:
- 106 electric campsites
- 63 non-electric campsites
Clifty Falls State Park Website
Hidden Paradise Campground
Hidden Paradise Campground is located just off I-74, between Cincy and Indianapolis. Located on 80 acres, this campground has wooded RV sites and 6 cabins.
The campground has 168 sites for RV’s and tents plus 6 cabins, included:
- Electric + water sites and primitive camping sites
- Full hook-up sites
- Quarry swimming for registered campers
- Paddleboats, canoes, and kayak rentals
- Campground grocery store
Hidden Paradise Campground Website
Campgrounds in Kentucky
Enjoy our list of tent camping locations, primitive camp sites, and RV camper locations in the northern part of Kentucky. All are within 1-2 hours of Cincinnati, Ohio.
General Butler State Park
General Butler State Park is about an hour’s drive southeast of downtown Cincinnati. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend the day mountain biking along the Fossil Trail, bird watching, hiking, playing mini golf, picnicking, boating, canoeing, and fishing on the 30-acre Butler Lake. If it’s a rainy day, spend time indoors at the Game Room or Butler-Turpin Home museum. Finish the day with dinner at Two Rivers Restaurant or enjoying some Kentucky bourbons and local moonshine at Port William’s Lounge.
If non-campers are interested in making the trip, they can stay at the Butler Lodge, which has 53 rooms and a scenic Ohio River valley view. 1, 2, and 3-bedroom cottages are also available.
The campground has 100+ campsites, including:
- Utility hookups & grills
- Showers and restrooms
- Laundry facility
General Butler State Park Website
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is located about 30 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati, where you can see real bison and learn all about the area’s paleontology, geology, ice age mammals, and Native American History. The park also has an orienteering course (a woods-navigation activity using a compass or GPS), which you don’t often find around here. Other outdoor activities include the Discovery Trail, bird watching, hiking, playgrounds, and mini golf.
The campground has 62 campsites, including:
- Utility hookups & grills
- Swimming pool
- Playground areas
- Showers and restrooms
- Laundry facilities
- Campground grocery store
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Website
Kincaid Lake State Park
Kincaid Lake State Park is located about 40 miles south of downtown Cincinnati. Spend a perfect day by the lake fishing and boating, or enjoy the great outdoors at the park’s hiking trails, swimming pool, sand volleyball and basketball courts, and mini golf.
The campground has 84 sites, including:
- Electric and water hookups
- Grocery
- Playground
- Restrooms and showers
Kincaid Lake State Park Website
