Ohio River - Markland Pool
RV Guide
Introduction
The Markland Pool is an important shipping hub located along the Ohio River. In addition to its commercial role, the Markland Pool is a popular recreation area, with some of the best fishing and boating in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Anglers visit the pool for the chance to catch bass, catfish, and sauger. With miles of quiet tributaries, you can relax and cast a line without any disturbances. Most of the river is gentle, so kayaking and canoeing are safe, and you can also find large stretches that are wide and deep enough for motorized boating.
The area around the Markland Pool is home to a number of different ecosystems, giving hikers and nature viewers plenty to explore. The river runs by Clifty Falls State Park, where you’ll find miles of trails leading through unique limestone rock formations. If you’re on the Ohio side of the water, climb up to the top of Shawnee Lookout for some of the best views of the river. Many areas of public land around the Ohio River are open for hunting as well.
RV Rentals in Ohio River - Markland Pool
Transportation
Driving
Located along the borders of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, the Markland Pool can easily be reached from a number of major cities in the three states. The area around the Ohio River is commercially active, with various major roads that make it fairly painless to reach via RV.
If you are coming from Indianapolis, take I-74 out of the city and you’ll reach the pool in around two hours. From Louisville, take I-71 out of the city and you’ll get to the pool in around an hour and a half. The Markland Pool leads into Cincinnati, so you won’t have to drive far out of the city to reach the river.
There are RV campgrounds dotted along the banks of the Markland Pool, most of which are easy to access with RVs. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is the location of one of the best RV campgrounds in the area. To reach the campground, take US-42 until you reach Beaver Road.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Ohio River - Markland Pool
Campsites in Ohio River - Markland Pool
Reservations camping
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
The Markland Pool stretches from Madison, Indiana to the outskirts of Cincinnati, so there are plenty of RV campgrounds nearby for you to stop at during your road trip.
Located on the Kentucky side of the Markland Pool, this modern campground has 62 sites to choose from, all of which feature full hookups, picnic tables, and grills. The campground also has showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities, as well as a swimming pool and grocery store. Pets are allowed, but all dogs must be kept on a leash.
The park is known for its range of museum displays and exhibits, as well as active research sites studying the geology of the region. You’ll find displays on the Ice Age mammals that lived in the area, as well as the history of the Native Americans who lived nearby. The campground is located a few miles away from the Markland Pool, where you’ll find excellent fishing and boating.
The campground fills up quickly during the summer, so we recommend booking well in advance, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.
Seasonal activities in Ohio River - Markland Pool
In-Season
Fishing
Don’t let the proximity to Cincinnati fool you. The Markland Pool is a productive fishing ground, with large populations of bass, sauger, and catfish. Fishing from the banks of the river is excellent, and you can also find a number of boat launches as well.
Do take caution while fishing on the river, as the depth varies widely. Also make sure you have the right licenses, as the Markland Pool goes along the border of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Any fishing done near the Markland Dam will require an Indiana fishing license.
Boating
The Markland Pool features mostly calm, gentle waters, making it a great destination for boating. You can kayak or canoe for miles along the green banks of the Ohio River, or take a larger motorized boat to cruise at a faster pace.
Several boat launches are located along the pool, including a marina in New Richmond and a large ramp in Vevay. Take caution out on the water if using a motorized boat, as water depths vary widely along the river.
Hiking
The land around the Markland Pool features a wide array of ecosystems and geological formations, so adventurous RV campers will have plenty of ground to explore. Visit Clifty Falls near Madison, Indiana, to scale limestone cliffs that overlook the river. You can also find some seasonal waterfalls in the area. If you’re on the Ohio side, head up to Shawnee Lookout, part of a conservation area with over 2,000 acres of land.
Off-Season
Hunting
With several thousand acres of beautiful forest and rolling hills, the area around the Markland Pools is perfect for hunting. Bucks are the big game species of interest in the area, and you can also hunt for waterfowl. Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby, where you’ll find some of the best deer hunting in southern Indiana.
The pool is located along the border of three states, so make sure that you have the right state hunting license. Markland Dam is located in Indiana, so any hunting done on that side of the river will require an Indiana state hunting license.
Historic Sites
The area around the Markland Pool has a number of notable historical sites and unique geological features. You can explore the area’s history at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, located on the Kentucky side of the river. The historic site has a number of museum displays and exhibits that focus on the fossils found in the area, as well as the Ice Age mammals that once roamed the glacial valleys. You can also learn more about the Native American people that called the area home.
Birdwatching
The forests along the banks of the pool are home to a diverse range of bird species, making the area a must-visit for birdwatchers. You’ll be able to spot blue jay, ruby-throated hummingbird, northern cardinal, red-tailed hawk, and over 100 other species near the river. Visit in the fall for a spectacular show of migrating waterfowl, as thousands of birds make their way south across the river.
Kentucky has some of the most dedicated birdwatchers you’ll find in the whole country, many of whom produce useful field guides and checklists that detail the birds in the area.
