Don’t get us wrong, Cincinnati is a wonderful place to live, and there are plenty of awesome things to see and do within the city itself. That said, sometimes you have to escape the city for a taste of the peace offered by nature. This is where weekend trips from Cincinnati come into play.
Believe it or not, there are tons of amazing natural areas near this city, so finding weekend getaways from Cincinnati that allow you to reconnect with Mother Nature is a cinch. And the best way to experience these beautiful areas? In an RV of course! Not only will taking an RV save you money on lodging, it’ll also allow you to park in the middle of all the beauty found in nature.
Below are some of the very best weekend trips from Cincinnati for those who are looking to have an RV adventure. Pick and choose from this list and you’re sure to have a good time.
RVs For Rent Near Cincinnati
An Underground Escape: Mammoth Cave National Park
Driving time: 3 hours
When you think of Ohio cities, you probably don’t immediately think of national parks, but the place is actually surrounded by several national parks that make great weekend trips from Cincinnati. One of our favorites? Mammoth Cave National Park, located just three hours away in Kentucky.
What to Do
Obviously, the most important thing to do while visiting Mammoth Cave National Park is to tour Mammoth Cave itself. As the name suggests, Mammoth Cave is huge, meaning there’s a lot of it to explore.
Fortunately, there are a number of different cave tours offered, meaning you can see several different areas of the cave and hear all kinds of stories about the history and geology of this fascinating underground world. Because of this, we actually recommend taking more than one tour during your visit if possible.
While the cave is a must-see part of this national park, there are actually several other great things to do here as well. We highly recommend taking at least one hike through the beautiful Kentucky greenery. You might also want to consider canoeing or kayaking along the river (we like this inflatable kayak for RV travel).
Finally, the ranger programs at this park are wonderful, and the stargazing found here is pretty great as well.
Where to Stay
We always prefer staying in the national parks we’re visiting if at all possible. Fortunately, this is totally doable at Mammoth Cave National Park. For RV camping in the park, we recommend Mammoth Cave Campground. Here, you’ll find both dry camping and two full-hookup sites, as well as restrooms with flush toilets and a dump station.
A Hiker’s Getaway: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Driving time: 3.5 hours
Next on our list is another nearby national park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is in Ohio and located 3.5 hours away. This is a lovely park for hiking and it offers plenty of greenery as well as interesting rock formations, lots of waterfalls, some small caves, and a magical forest vibe that makes it easy to really connect with nature during your visit.
What to Do
One thing you really ought to do during your visit to this park is hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for an exciting ride with some lovely views. In addition to the regular rides, this railroad company also offers themed rides, as well as the Bike Aboard ticket, which allows you to ride the train one way and bike back to your starting point along the towpath.
If you’re interested in history, we highly recommend a visit to the Canal Exploration Center, and hikers should definitely try the Ledges Trail. A trip to Bridalveil Falls is an important part of any trip to the park and some people enjoy checking out Deer Lick Cave while they’re in the area.
Where to Stay
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to camp in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Instead, we recommend taking your RV to the nearby Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA. This full-service RV park has everything you need to be comfortable, including full hookups, a laundry room, restrooms with showers, and even a pool, playground, and planned activities.
A Lakeside Vacation: Indiana Dunes National Park
Driving time: 4 hours
Last on our list is another fantastic national park that is perfect for weekend trips from Cincinnati: Indiana Dunes National Park. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, this lovely national park is the perfect place to escape for a summer beach day or a hike through a diverse ecosystem.
What to Do
You will definitely want to start your trip with a visit to the visitor center where you can get oriented and learn a bit about the park. From there, we recommend taking the Dune Ridge Trail. We really like this hike because it gives hikers a chance to see the many different habitats found in the park. Be sure to take binoculars and watch out for local wildlife!
Once you’re done hiking, head to one of the beaches found in the park and take a dip in the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan. Prefer to stay dry? There is also the option of relaxing on the sandy beach, or maybe going for a paddle on the lake or one of the waterways in the park.
Where to Stay
RV camping is available in Indiana Dunes National Park at Dunewood Campground. This campground offers dry camping only, but there are flush toilets, showers, potable water, and a dump station onsite. Best of all, the location really can’t be beat!
There you have it, folks! The very best places for both short and long weekend trips from Cincinnati. Of course, there aren’t the only amazing places to explore in the area, so once you’ve seen these, be sure to keep exploring to see what other gems you might find.
Don’t have an RV of your own to take on one of these weekend trips from Cincinnati? We’ve got you covered with our many rental RVs in the area. This amazing class A will allow the whole family to travel in style. Meanwhile, this awesome trailer is perfect for travelers on a budget. No matter which you choose, you’re going to have an amazing time!
