The Best Spots for Camping in the Cincinnati’s Neighborhood

Laura Williams

Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash

Camping is one of the inexpensive hobbies and one of the most exciting things that you can do with your family and friends. It provides an opportunity to escape the hectic pace of everyday life for a few days, spend quality time with the people you care about, and enjoy the great outdoors.

You will be happy to know that Cincinnati is conveniently located close to many beautiful campgrounds that are easily accessible by car. Within a day’s drive to Cincinnati, we have compiled a list of our favorite spots to pitch a tent and spend the night.


Locations on a Map

The following map provides an in-depth look at the locations of all the locations discussed in this post:



East Fork State Park

East Fork State Park - <a href="https://stateparks.com/east_fork_state_park_in_ohio.html">Photo Source</a>
East Fork State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 30 min

East Fork State Park is a state park that is around 4,800 acres in size and is located approximately thirty minutes east of Cincinnati. It is home to a well-liked campsite area that is enjoyable for all varieties of campers. There are many things to do throughout the day in the park until you lay down for the night together around the campfire due to the park’s size and the fact that it offers several hiking routes, beach communities, and a huge lake.


Lake Isabella Park

Lake Isabella Park - <a href="https://www.greatparks.org/parks/lake-isabella">Photo Source</a>
Lake Isabella Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 30 min

Lake Isabella Park is a park located along the Little Miami River and is only thirty minutes outside Cincinnati. This park has twenty-four different types of campsites. The park is in a handy position, and as a result, it features a boathouse where visitors may hire canoes, kayaks, and other watercraft and spend the day paddling along the river. Because it also contains a sizable playground area, it is an excellent destination that families should consider checking out.

See also  The Top 10 Parks in Cincinnati

Big Bone Lick State Park

Big Bone Lick State Park - <a href="https://parks.ky.gov/union/parks/historic/big-bone-lick-state-historic-site">Photo Source</a>
Big Bone Lick State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 30 min

Big Bone Lick State Park is a state park that provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching, putt golfing, and more. The park is located in Northern Kentucky. Be sure to check out their website to obtain an exhaustive list of the various pursuits and pursuits that can be enjoyed in and around the park.


Stonelick State Park

Stonelick State Park - <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/stonelick-state-park">Photo Source</a>
Stonelick State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 45 min

Stonelick State Park is a gorgeous park situated around 45 minutes east of the city and provides visitors with a campsite, a huge lake, and several paths for trekking. There are 115 different campsites to choose from, and the majority of them have access to power.


Kincaid Lake State Park

Kincaid Lake State Park -<a href="https://parks.ky.gov/falmouth/parks/recreation/kincaid-lake-state-park">Photo Source</a>
Kincaid Lake State Park –Photo Source

Drive Time: 45 min

Located in Northern Kentucky, Kincaid Lake State Park is a state park that features a campsite, a lake that spans 180 acres, various hiking paths, a picnic area, a mini-golf course, a swimming pool, and rental boats, and a 9-hole golf course. In addition, the park is home to a variety of other amenities, such as a swimming pool and rental boats.


Whitewater Memorial State Park

Whitewater Memorial State Park - <a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/whitewater-memorial-state-park/">Photo Source</a>
Whitewater Memorial State Park – Photo Source

Driving Time: 1 hour

Whitewater Memorial State Park is a state park found in the eastern part of Indiana. This park provides visitors with access to many hiking trails, Brookville Lake and Whitewater Lake, and a range of camping options.


Hueston Woods State Park

Hueston Woods State Park - <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hueston-woods-state-park">Photo Source</a>
Hueston Woods State Park – Photo Source

Distance Time: 1 hour

Hueston Woods State Park is a state park that can be found approximately one hour to the north of Cincinnati. This park features a sizable camping area, an abundance of hiking trails, and access to Acton Lake, situated in the middle of the park and is a popular location for water activities such as boating and swimming.

See also  Top 7 Worth Visiting Lakes While Being in Cincinnati

John Bryan State Park

John Bryan State Park - <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/john-bryan-state-park">Photo Source</a>
John Bryan State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 75 min

John Bryan State Park is a gorgeous state park that can be found a little over an hour’s drive north of Cincinnati. This park features several options for hiking and camping and a variety of various campgrounds to choose from. In addition, there are some walking and bicycling paths and picnic sites spread out around the region.


Clifty Falls State Park

Clifty Falls State Park - <a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/clifty-falls-state-park/">Photo Source</a>
Clifty Falls State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 90 min

The Clifty Falls State Park is a state park found in the southeast corner of Indiana. It features some different cabins and camping areas. The park has an abundance of options for outdoor activities, including walking, picnicking, and hiking. The fact that there are multiple waterfalls along the hiking paths makes it an especially picturesque location to get some exercise and appreciate the great outdoors.


Shawnee State Park

Shawnee State Park - <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/shawnee-state-park">Photo Source</a>
Shawnee State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 1 hour + 45 min

The Shawnee State Park is a state park that is about an hour and 45 minutes east of Cincinnati. It features a large campsite in a lovely setting with multiple electricity hookups, making it a good location to prepare home-cooked meals. The park is famous for its wide network of hiking paths that it has, and because of this, it is an excellent choice of activities for when the weather is favorable throughout the day.


Brown County State Park

Brown County State Park - <a href="https://www.browncounty.com/listings/brown-county-state-park/">Photo Source</a>
Brown County State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 120 min

Brown County State Park is the biggest state park in Indiana, comprising over 15,000 acres and offering a huge campsite space. The park can be found in the south-central region of the state. The park features an abundance of paths for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and a water park that is ideal for families with small children.

See also  Montgomery's Pioneer Park – A Complete and Comprehensive Guide!

Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park - <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park">Photo Source</a>
Hocking Hills State Park – Photo Source

Drive Time: 2 hours + 15 min

Hocking Hills State Park is a state park located a little over two hours east of Cincinnati. This park features over 25 miles of hiking trails, including caverns, waterfalls, rock bridges, and multiple lakes. In addition, there are several different camping spots to choose from. This is one of the most beautiful spots in Ohio to set up a tent and spend some time in the great outdoors while taking in the sights.


Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge - <a href="https://www.redrivergorge.com/">Photo Source</a>
Red River Gorge – Photo Source

Drive Time: 2 hours + 30 min

Red River Gorge, which can be found in the middle of Kentucky, is often considered the most popular natural location in Kentucky. There are several different campgrounds located throughout the region. Camping is one of the greatest ways to get the most out of your time in the Gorge since it allows you to take advantage of all the region has to offer, including a wealth of opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits.

FAQs

  1. Is camping allowed in Cincinnati’s parks?

Yes, camping is allowed in some of Cincinnati’s parks with a permit. Check with the park to see if they offer camping and if any permits are required.

  1. Can I bring my RV to the campgrounds in Cincinnati?

Yes, many of Cincinnati’s campgrounds allow RVs. Check with the campground to see if they have any size restrictions and if they offer electrical hookups.

  1. Are there any fees for camping in Cincinnati’s parks and nature centers?

Yes, there may be fees for camping in Cincinnati’s parks and nature centers. Check with the park or nature center to see what fees are required.

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