Caesar Creek State Park in southwestern Ohio has almost 8,000 acres of space to enjoy including the 2,830-acre lake, which provides tons of fun. One of the main attractions to the park is the lake, which was created by damming Caesar Creek in 1978 as a way to help with flood control. Little did they know that the result would be such a wonderful place for wildlife and humans alike. The lake is home to many species of fish, turtles, and other water creatures and provides a thriving habitat for other wildlife like white-tailed deer, eagles, and otters.
If you love fishing, swimming, boating, and other aquatic activities, you will have a blast at Caesar Creek State Park during the summer. During the winter months, try some ice fishing, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing on and around the lake. The park also has 20 different hiking trails that range from 0.7 to 12.7 miles long. Equestrians will enjoy the four bridle trails from two miles to 28 miles long. And for the mountain bikers, check out the 20 miles of mountain bike trails.
Park the motorhome in one of the more than 300 campsites including 30 equestrian sites for those with horses. You can also bring your furbabies because they are welcome here too. Just make sure you supervise them and keep them properly restrained while you are at the park. No matter what time of year you head to the park, you will find plenty to do.
In Warren County, Ohio just four miles from Waynesville, Caesar Creek State Park is easy to get to just off of OH-73. You can reach the park from US-42, I-71, US-35, or I-75. Dayton is only 30 miles to the north, where you can visit the U.S. Air Force Museum, Carillon Historical Park, or the Dayton Art Institute. And Cincinnati is only 45 miles to the southwest where you’ll find the Cincinnati Zoo, children’s museums, and the botanical garden.
The main interstates and highways into the heart of the park are typically flat and straight as is much of Ohio, so you will not have a problem getting around in your rig. If you keep your eyes open, you will likely see some of the awesome wildlife in the area such as deer, foxes, and raccoons. Make sure you keep your camera handy so your passengers can take some pics.
Some of the nearby attractions include the Ohio Renaissance Park, which is just over three miles to the southeast on OH-73. You can also visit the nearby Cowan Lake State Park, 16 miles to the southeast. This 1,775-acre park has a plethora of activities, many centered around Cowan Lake. They also have an abundance of winter activities at Cowan as well.
The family-focused Lebanon / Cincinnati NE KOA is a 30-acre site located in an area known for amusement parks. Dayton and Cincinnati are just 30 minutes away, and Lebanon has a historic downtown full of antique shops, flea markets, restaurants, and locally-owned shops. Kings Island amusement park offers thrills from roller-coasters, a water park, and live entertainment and is only eight miles from the campground. At Lebanon / Cincinnati NE KOA, you can enjoy the swimming pool, dog park, pavilion, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. Pull-through sites can accommodate rigs up to 75 feet long.
With 287 campsites including 269 sites with 30- to 50-amp electric hookups and 18 with full hookups, you will have no problem finding the perfect spot for you and your RV here. You can choose from several different loops within Caesar Creek State Park Campground that all have spacious and mostly level pads for your RV or motorhome. The maximum RV length at these sites are between 30 and 55 feet, so be sure to check that when you reserve your spot.
You can cook inside the rig or outside on the provided campfire grill so you can enjoy the fresh country air. There is also a picnic table that seats six for you to all sit together while you eat. Your pups are welcome too as long as they are leashed at all times. Each of the loops has its own picnic area, comfort station with showers, and there are several playgrounds for the kids to play on. Loop F is closest to the basketball court while Loop A is closest to the beach and picnic shelter. All loops are within walking distance to the lake as well as many of the hiking and biking trails so you can get out and enjoy the beauty firsthand.
If you have a large group or huge family gathering, you are in luck at Caesar Creek State Park because they have six different group campgrounds, including the Horsemen’s Group Camp. Horsemen’s is located just south of New Burlington Road on Furnas-Oglesby Road. The Day Lodge Group Camp is located on Clarksville Road by the Archery Range and Day Lodge. Wellman Group Camp is at the southern tip of the lake by the Pioneer Village.
Cedar Point Group Camp is nestled between two lakeshores off the Fifty Springs Loop Trail by a picnic area. The Hickory Outlook Group Camp can be found near the Cedar Point Group Camp area just to the north of the picnic pavilion. And the Fifty Springs Group Camp is located in the Fifty Springs Picnic Area off Lukens Road. All campsites have picnic tables, campfire rings, and potable water spigots. There are restrooms within walking distance of each of the campgrounds as well.
You will want to make sure your sunscreen and beach toys are packed in the RV before you head to the park because Caesar Creek State Park has a 1,300-square foot beach to enjoy. Whether you are there to soak up the sun, enjoy playing in the sand with the kids, or want to take a nice swim to cool off, you can do it all here. There are also two other swimming areas by the Wellman Boat Ramp and near the campground. Use caution when swimming because there are no lifeguards on duty.
Go ahead and bring your boat with you so you can explore all the sandbars and hidden coves on the 2,830-acre lake. There are five boat launches located all around the lake for large boats or you can drop in your kayak or canoe anywhere on the water. The marina, the largest in Warren County, has a place to dock your boat and gas pumps to gas it up. They also have a store with food, ice, bait, and other needs. They even have a concession area with indoor seating if you want to sit and enjoy a meal before or after your boat voyage.
Anglers love fishing at Caesar Creek State Park because of the amazing number of hungry fish waiting for a line to be tossed in. Some of the favorites include large and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and carp. In addition, the park stocks the lake with muskellunge and saugeye every year. Artificial lures and flies are great for catching crappie and bass while catfish and carp hit mostly on deeply sunk live bait. Saugeye and muskellunge usually go for deep diving crankbaits and spinners. Be sure to have your Ohio fishing license with you while fishing.
During the right times of the year, hunting is welcome at Caesar Creek State Park, so pack that hunter orange vest and hat in the rig before heading out. Some of the large game in the park include white-tailed deer and wild boar. Turkey hunting is also popular here. If you are into trapping, try for red or gray foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossum, and weasels. Waterfowl can also be hunted here including geese and various types of ducks. Make sure you have a valid Ohio hunting license and tags and always follow the rules and regulations of the state.
When the weather drops below freezing, many anglers start getting their fishing gear ready. In Ohio, the weather can get cold enough to freeze the lake by late December so make sure you have your poles and tackle in the RV before heading out to Caesar Creek State Park. Always check with the rangers or other park staff about the safety of the ice before going out there. Then just use an auger to drill a hole, drop in a line, and wait. The sauger and walleye should be mighty hungry by December.
Speaking of ice, if the lake is frozen over, that is the perfect time for an ice hockey game, so bring your ice skates and hockey gear. You don’t even need nets, just use some markers in the ice to mark the outsides of the goal. Gather a few people and see who can get that puck in the goal. Just like with ice fishing, you need to check with the rangers or park staff to make sure the ice is thick enough before heading onto the lake. And dress in layers because it gets mighty cold on the ice.
