The objectives of this study were to examine how rainfall infiltration on developed Ohio campsites varied with soil drainage class, cover, use pattern, and overwinter changes. Infiltration and sediment yield were measured during 60‐min applications of 11 cm of simulated rain on campsite use zones, using a spray infiltrometer. Initial percent infiltration was 82 and 89 in fall and spring with sod cover, and 68 and 79 in fall and spring with hardwood cover. Initial infiltration also varied with use zone and season: heavy use—52% fall (F), 65% spring (Sp); moderate use—79% F, 87% Sp; and light use—95% F, 99% Sp. Fall infiltration during the last 10 min of simulated storms on poorly drained soils was 4% with sod cover vs. 12% with hardwood cover. But on well‐drained soils cover effect was reversed (62 vs. 42% on excessively drained and 56 vs. 35% on well‐drained soils for sod and hardwood covers, respectively). Final infiltration rate and total infiltration changed little from one use zone to another on poorly drained campsites, but on well‐ or excessively drained soils there was a marked and progressive reduction in infiltration from light‐ to moderate‐ and heavy‐use zones. Sediment concentration in runoff and soil bulk density increased with use intensity.