Winton Woods Campground Review

This past Friday, we kicked off our fall camping season with a stay at the Winton Woods Campground that is part of the Hamilton County Park system in Cincinnati. It was just about an hour drive for us, and we were immediately impressed with how nice the campground was. The Hamilton County Park system is truly a gem for the Cincinnati resident. They currently sell entrance passes for $10 for one year, with a $5 rebate for available for residents. Otherwise, entrance fees are $3 per vehicle.

We were able to get a campsite rather last minute when a lot of other parks and campgrounds were booked solid. Our campsite (#21) backed right up to the lake, and had a fair amount of level area to pitch a few tents. Sites were generously spaced apart too, so you did not feel like you were on top of one another. In the tent camping area, there were also plenty of tall, mature trees that really added to the camping experience (something many new campgrounds often lack). This campground was quiet, clean and family friendly. There was a playground for the kids and a nice sized bathhouse not too far from most of the sites.

It was a little windy and chilly during our stay (night time temperatures were close to 40 degrees F), but we stayed warm with our wool hiking socks, 20 degree REI down sleeping bags (which were super toasty and comfy), Therm-a-rest sleeping pads and our REI Half Dome tent. We dressed our 15 month old daughter in lots of layers (for sleeping she wore 2 footed sleepers, the outer fleece, with a wool hat and mittens), and she stayed warm as well. We did actually forget our own gloves, but extra hiking socks helped with our cold hands during morning camp chores!

Here are a few things you should know if you plan to camp there:

1. Sites can be reserved online, and there are no minimum night stays. This was important to us since we could only camp one night and it had to be on a Friday night due to Rob's work schedule. During our stay, the rates were $25 a night for the standard electric sites (30 amp), and there are no online reservation fees to mess with either. The nice thing about this campground is that you can view pictures of each and every campsite prior to booking! I LOVE this feature as I am all about getting the perfect campsite. Sites 8, 9, and 10 are very nice and spacious. Sites 22 and 23 are also very nice and preferable if you need multiple flat tent sites.

2. The new RV area is not shaded in the middle section, so be prepared if you get a spot there. Sites 13F through 2F would probably be preferable if you were RVing it, since they back up right into the woods.

3. The campstore sells hot food, including pizza you can order straight to your campsite (I guess this is handy if your campfire goes disastrously wrong, lol). They also have firewood available for sale for $4.99 a bundle. The firewood is not the greatest however, so bring your own (if you live in the area, otherwise don't move firewood!) and plenty of kindling if you can. The campstore is really a very nice building and has all the basics stocked in case you forget something important. The hours were 10am-8pm during our stay, so a late evening arrival still allows you time to get what you need.

4. Reserve online and early. Weekends book up fast, especially during prime camping season such as early and mid-fall. We were lucky to get a site a little over a week in advance, but the next two weeks are already entirely booked through. So book early if you can!

5. They also have deluxe as well as basic camping cabins available for those that prefer that route. I would stay away from the camping cabins 1, 2 and 5 though since they are in a very high traffic area. Although I didn't get to look inside, it appeared that the basic cabins had window AC units in them (check with the campground office though to be sure). This would be a really nice option if camping in the hot summer. The deluxe cabins are open year round, but the basic cabins are not. Price for the basic is $50 a night and the deluxe is $125 a night.

All in all, our stay at the Winton Woods campground was enjoyable and surprisingly quiet despite its proximity to the city. We are looking forward to our next stay, as soon as campsites are available that is! This is definitely a favorite campground we'll be returning to again and again.

Fall Hiking and Backpacking in the Cincinnati Area

Now that fall has arrived, hiking and backpacking are back on the agenda again! With the cool weather and beautiful foliage of the trees, fall is the perfect time to get out into the woods before the cold settles in for good. Thinking about planning a hike or an overnight trip? Here are some great ideas to help get you started.

• Mt. Airy Forest (OH) - This municipal forest, one of the largest in the country, has several trails worth trekking. Perfect for a free afternoon or weekend outing.

• Hueston Woods State Park (OH) - Situated around a reservoir, this park has several trails fitting for fall day hikes. The colors of fall are most attractive next to the scenic lake.

• East Fork State Park (OH) - Only a 30 minute drive from Cincinnati, this park is centered around a reservoir. Although the forest is young, a large network of hiking and backpacking trails exist. If backpacking for one night, there are several camps available with 3-walled shelters.

• Caesar's Creek State Park (OH) - Travel north on I-71 to Caesar's Creek, a state park situated around a reservoir less than an hour's drive away. The park is large and the hiking opportunities are numerous. Backpacking options also exist, but camping is limited. Beautiful scenery and great terrain.

• Twin Valley Metro Park (OH) -Located near Dayton, this metropark recently opened a backpack trail perfect for those last minute getaways.
  

• Shawnee State Forest (OH) - If you want challenge, this is the place to be. Although views and scenic areas are limited, the backpack trail is the best in the state and can be traversed in one large loop or two small loops. Best for multiple night trips. (special notice)

• Knobstone Trail (IN) - This trail is best for overnight backpacking trips, but must be done as either an out and back or with two cars. The knobstone rivals Shawnee's terrain.

• Red River Gorge (KY) - A favorite for Cincinnati hikers and backpackers for years, Red River Gorge, located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, is the perfect place to catch fall foliage. If you're into rock climbing, this is the spot to experience some of the best in the country. Since RRG can be crowded on the weekends, plan an overnight trip during the week for optimal solitude.

• Cave Run Lake (KY) - Slightly north of RRG, Cave Run Lake offers several hiking trails that can easily be made into overnight treks. Catch the Sheltowee Trace Trail nearby, visit the site of an old fire tower and camp by a lake with open skies.

• Mammoth Cave National Park (KY) - As a three hour drive, it's definitely not a day jaunt but perfect for overnight and multiple day treks. The terrain is varied, but never too strenuous. A variety of trails intertwine allowing you to choose your own route. Some trails are frequented by horses, so watch your step! Camping opprotunies abound, many in very scenic locations. After you've had your share of the forest, explore one of the many underground cave systems the park was made for.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN) - For high wilderness adventure, it doesn't get any better than at GSMNP. As the second closest national park to Cincinnati (a 5 hour drive), it makes the perfect weekend getaway for the hard-care backpacker or hiker. However, remember to bring a bear bag and rope!

*Photos by Rachel Campbell; Left: Hueston Woods State Park/Right: Mammoth Cave National Park

Giving Back by Clearing Out

Yesterday, I was able to participate in a community service day event sponsored by my school (Cincinnati Christian University). The theme of this year's service day was "Going Green", and we helped prepare the Cincinnati parks for summer by clearing out honeysuckle, planting flowers and trees, picking up trash and maintaining trails.

I was fortunate to be a part of the group that cleared out honeysuckle in Mt. Airy for 5 hours! Apparently, there are more than 2000 acres in the cincinnati parks that have been infested with this plant, and it is the goal of the Cincinnati Park Board to clear out at least 100 acres a year. Our group was made up of about 15 people, and we managed to cover around 4-5 acres in the time that we were there. There is still so much work to do, but it was quite rewarding to see how much we really did get done. Nothing like getting dirty in the woods!

As an update on this blog, I have not been able to get out hiking this season yet, which is a shame and quite unusual for me. I do still plan on trying to get Tuesday's Trail updated when possible. In between, be on the lookout for more about the cincinnati parks, hiking and backpacking in general.