Indian Springs Campground

For such a well-placed location on the most northern bend of the Ohio River (hence the town's name), North Bend makes an enviable base for those planning to explore three states - or at least a slice of each - all from one location. From here, you're only an hour's drive from Big Bone Lick State Park near Union, KY, and two hours' drive from Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge near Madison, IN.

But first, try to go local at Mitchell Memorial Forest, only 15 minutes' drive from your campsite at Indian Springs Campground. Spanning close to 1,500 acres, the park beckons MTB riders with over eight miles of white-knuckle trail, Hamilton County's first official mountain bike trail. If you're more into nature walks, there's the mile-long Wood Duck Nature Trail. A catch-and-release fishing pond provides ample outdoor entertainment for those eager to sink a line.

Across the Ohio River and state line beckons a herd of bison, a remnant of North America's prehistoric past. A long time ago, massive bison herds roamed this area until they were hunted to near extinction; the last of Kentucky's wild bison was seen around the 1800s. Today, the bison are allowed to roam freely in the wooded lots, so visitors may have to seek them out in the shelter and shade for a good view.

Avid birders may want to camp in an RV near North Bend if they wish to add more species to their list. At Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, birders have a chance to spot 200 species of birds that have been sighted in the area. The refuge is particularly a vital habitat for Henslow’s sparrows. Because of this, it is designated as a "Globally Important Bird Area.” It's also the wintering refuge for bald and golden eagles.

Not too many U.S. towns can lay claim to being home to two United States presidents: Of the two, tiny North Bend (Quincy, MA being the other one) is the burial place of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, and the birthplace of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president. The former's tomb looks down into the stunning river valley while the latter's place of birth also overlooks the expansive sweep of the Ohio River.

When you book an RV rental near Indian Springs Campground, you're only half an hour's drive from Cincinnati, where you can jump into the thick of the action at a Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, or FC game, or have a blast during Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati. The culinary offerings here, including its sudsy brewery scene, will surely tickle taste buds.

Education and entertainment teem indoors in Cincinnati's museums, art galleries, and observatory. If you like something out of the ordinary, the American Sign Museum, where the history of American signage is archived, will pique your curiosity. At the Cincinnati Art Museum, Van Gogh, Monet, and O'Keeffe might just inspire you to take up a brush. Be prepared for a different inspiration to strike you at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a fantastic place to come face to face with animals from A (aardvark) to Z (zebra bug), and everything in between that is seldom heard of (duiker, matamata, tamandua). If you like tulips, the vibrant tulip garden here will leave you in awe.

Camping with an RV in North Bend also puts you within close driving distance of northern Kentucky's Newport Aquarium for an encounter with sharks, stingrays, and octopus. And you don't have to be religious to be amazed by the wonders of the Creation Museum in Petersburg where you'll witness the pages of the Bible come to life.

As you can see, waterfront camping near North Bend puts you right where water activities overflow and where urban offerings are plentiful. Rent a camper near Indian Springs Campground, and you'll enjoy the best of both worlds, if not a trio of them.