July is the perfect month for zipping around a lake, camping under the stars, and more. Enjoy!
Listen. The only way to take on smoldering July heat is to EMBRACE IT. Dig in to FAMILY TIME. Find the closest body of water and get IN IT — fast!
Luckily, you don’t have to spend big bucks on a motorboat or buy airlines tickets to the coast to find a beach. Take the family for a short drive to one of the lakes in our area and you’ll find all the water fun you can ask for.
Here are some of the coolest — and closest — parks you can go to and feel like you’re away on a family vacation. Most of the lakes’ boat rentals include kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards (SUP) and pedal boats. We’ve got splashpads here, too.
LAKES
MIAMI WHITEWATER FOREST HARBOR
9001 Mt. Hope Road
Crosby Township
513-367-9632
greatparks.org/parks/miamiwhitewater-forest/miamiwhitewater-forest-harbor
Rent a boat and spend the day out on a stunning 85-acre lake. Stop at the stocked snack bar to wrap up a fun-filled summer day.
SHARON WOODS HARBOR
4631 E. Kemper Road
513-769-4326
greatparks.org/parks/sharonwoods/sharon-woods-boathouse
The park, boat rentals and picnic area are all close together, so work up an appetite and take advantage of the snacks, ice cream and beautiful lake all at once.
LAKE ISABELLA HARBOR
10174 Loveland-Madeira Road
Symmes Township
513-791-1663
greatparks.org/parks/lakeisabella/lake-isabella-harbor
Grab your fishing gear, rent a rowboat and head out to the lake. No fishing gear? Rent gear and bait when you get there. No fishing license required. Day or season passes are available at the boathouse.
LITTLE MIAMI CANOE RENTAL
219 Mill (S.R. 123), Morrow
225 Corwin Road, Oregonia
513-899-3616
Looking for a little more adventure? Little Miami Canoe has two locations: Oregonia, OH, closer to Dayton, and Morrow, OH, only a 10-minute drive from Kings Island. Choose between a 2-, 4-, 8-, 10- or 12 mile canoe trip, or give a raft or tube a whirl down the Little Miami River. There are more water excursions where that came from. One-day river trips are also available for larger groups.
EAST FORK STATE PARK
1535 Clough Pike, Batavia
513-732-3888
bataviatownship.org/parksrecreation/eastfork-state-park/
The lake has a 1,200-foot beach, swimming and boat rentals. Have a boat? Pick from one of the six boat docks along the lake, and end the day with a picnic lunch at one of the large picnic areas.
CAESAR CREEK STATE PARK MARINA
8574 E State Route 73,
Waynesville • 513-897-1092
Park your boat at one of the five boat docks at the marina stocked with boat equipment, supplies, bait and more, and visit the snack bar. The new South Shore Marina (6850 Corwin Avenue, Waynesville) offers boat rentals as well. Then grab the kids and build sandcastles along the 1,300-foot-long sandy beach or park your boat at one of the boat and swim areas.
COWAN LAKE
1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington
937-289-2656
Swim at the 1,000-foot long beach, go sailing or practice your kayak and canoe skills with a certified instructor. Want to amp up your family’s water adventures? Contact sarah.blair@dnr.state.oh.us to sign up for one of the Family Outdoor Adventure series and learn some tips and tricks.
VOICE OF AMERICA PARK
7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester
yourmetroparks.net/parks/voiceof-america-metropark/wheelhouse
Walk to the little wooden Wheelhouse Outdoor Adventure Center, rent a boat or two and head to the snack bar. You can even launch your own boat for a small fee.
WINTON WOODS
10245 Winton Road
513-931-1849
greatparks.org/parks/wintonwoods/winton-woods-harbor
Explore the 156-acre lake by boat and grab a snack and fishing gear at the boathouse. Use the dock for your own boat, or book a 30-minute boat tour on the Winton Queen to learn more about the park’s history.
KENTUCKY KINCAID LAKE STATE PARK
565 Kincaid Park Road, Falmouth
859-654-3531
parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/kincaid-lake
Loaded with scenic views, peace and quiet, the lake has all of that including boat rentals and fishing. After a long day of boating, cool off in the lake side swimming pool.
CAMP ERNST LAKE
7615 Camp Ernst Road
Burlington • 859-334-2117
boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/camp_ernst_lake.aspx
Bring a picnic and overlook the 22-acre lake, or launch your boat off the boat ramp and cast a line. Fishing license is required.
BOONES LANDING
14036 Boat Dock Road, Union
859-384-0504
Explore the Ohio River by canoe, coast on a pontoon boat or go fishing. The marina is also available if you’re looking to dock your own boat.
INDIANA BROOKVILLE LAKE
15179 Old State Road 101
Liberty • 765-458-7431
Put your sailing skills to the test at this 17-mile lake. Brookville is great for tubing, and for bigger crowds, they have boats for that, too. Large speed boats, pontoons, sailboats, Hurricane deck boats and fishing boats are available to rent depending on what kind of water adventure you and your family are looking for.
SPLASH PADS
Let the little ones run and splash up an appetite at one of these local splash pads for free or for a small fee. Kids love it because no one will tell them to stop splashing!
WASHINGTON PARK
1230 Elm St.
SHARON WOODS HARBOR
4631 E. Kemper Road
MIAMI WHITEWATER FOREST: PARKY’S PIRATE COVE
9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison
WINTON WOODS: PARKY’S ARK
10245 Winton Road
WOODLAND MOUND: PARKY’S WETLAND ADVENTURE
8250 Old Kellogg Road
LOVELAND HOME OF THE BRAVE
11605 Lebanon Road, Loveland
SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK
West Mehring Way
SAWYER POINT AND YEATMAN’S COVE
705 East Pete Rose Way
OVERNIGHT CAMPING
Overnight camping is a great way to relax and enjoy nature without too much hassle or planning. Most of the campgrounds here have availability during the week, but are limited on the weekends for the summer. Contact the park to see what is available for your family’s summer campout. Some of the campgrounds also have swimming and playgrounds nearby.
LAKE ISABELLA CAMPGROUND
513-791-1663
greatparks.org/parks/lakeisabella/lake-isabella-campground
New tent-only campground. Fridays and Saturdays only; Sundays during holiday weekends.
$21.50/night
LITTLE MIAMI CAMPING
Reservations: 513-724-6521
littlemiamicanoe.com/Camping.html
Two-day canoe plus one night camping packages. Canoe/Camping
Rates from $25/night
EAST FORK STATE PARK
Reservations: 513-734-4323
Standard electric: From $28/night
CAESAR CREEK CAMPGROUND
Reservations: 937-488-4595
July 4th Camp Out, July 4 – 8: Canoeing, kayaking, SUP and camping for the family. Standard electric: From $28/night
COWAN LAKE
Reservations: 937-383-3751
Cowan Lake Fest, July 21 – 22: Sailing, fishing, boat races and overnight camping on the beach. Standard electric: From $28/night
BIG BONE LICK CAMPING
Reservations: 859-384-3495
parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/big-bone-lick
Standard electric: From $25/night
KINCAID LAKE CAMPGROUND
Reservations: 859-654-3531
parks.ky.gov/parks/recreationparks/kincaid-lake
Campers get $1 off swimming admission. Standard electric: From
$25/night
BROOKVILLE CAMPGROUND
Reservations: 765-647-2657
Standard electric: From $23/night
