Campgrounds near Mayville, New York range across the Chautauqua Lake region and extend to the Lake Erie shoreline. Winter camping options are limited, with many campgrounds closing between October and May. Summer temperatures average between 60-80°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Cell service can be unreliable in more remote areas, particularly in valleys.
What to do
Lakeside fishing opportunities: At Presque Isle Passage RV Park, anglers can try their luck at well-stocked fishing spots. "3 day stay. Clean, nice, stuff for kids. Room for big rigs, and tents. Yurts and cabins available," notes David R. on The Dyrt.
Beach access: Evangola State Park provides direct access to Lake Erie beaches, though they require maintenance. "The facilities in the campground are very good (relatively new bath house with nice clean showers). The campsites are a good size although most have no natural shade or privacy," says Amy G. from Evangola State Park.
Nature programs: Allegany State Park offers educational programs about local wildlife and ecosystems. "There were lots of nature programs put on by the park. The campsites were a little too closely spaced, and no one enforced quiet hours. We could hear people laughing and carrying on all night long," according to Kate C. from Allegany State Park.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Lake Erie sunsets are especially popular among campers at Lampe Marina Campground. "This place is a great place to watch the sunset. Lake Erie has the best sunsets east of the Mississippi lots of things to do from fishing for walleye or perch or just out on a watercraft," shares Jim L. on The Dyrt.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing at certain loops within Willow Bay Recreation Area. "The camp grounds were great. Staff was very helpful and nice. Camp sites were decently spaced out. Fire wood was priced fairly well but they don't usually deliver($) and they sell worms at the gate along with ice," notes Sean C. from Willow Bay.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness is frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "This campground is FANTASTIC! When you think State Park there is almost always a compromise, but not here. We stayed on site A23 for a week in mid-July. The campground was busy, but not over-crowded. The campground itself is well maintained and the shower houses are clean," reports Brian P. about Lake Erie State Park.
What you should know
Tent vs. RV experiences: Some campgrounds cater better to RVs than tent campers. "Lots of RVs, not many tents. Small section in the back of the campground for tents. Also the worst part is being so close to the gas station/truck stop. Very bright lights on all night. Also close to the highway so there is constant noise!" warns Fred J. about Presque Isle Passage.
Site accessibility: Campers should be prepared for different parking arrangements. "The reason this was 4/5 is because you have to unload the car then walk everything to the camp. There is no drive up access for tent camping. A wagon is highly encouraged," explains Sean C. about Willow Bay Recreation Area.
Off-season availability: Winter camping options are limited in the area. Mitchell Lake Campgrounds offers full hookup sites year-round, making it one of the few rv parks near Mayville, New York with winter availability. West Haven RV Park operates from May 1 to October 23.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. "We stayed at site 131. It was nice and clean. We were not far from the bathrooms. But this area, all of the camp sites are right in top of each other. It was great for the kids because they were able to find instant friends and ride their bikes around," shares Verity S. about Allegany State Park.
Swimming options: Beaches and swimming areas vary considerably across campgrounds. "Pros: good swimming, clean bathrooms, easy access off 90 (convenient). Cons: little to no separation between sites, easy access off 90 (busy)," notes Joseph N. about Evangola State Park.
Noise considerations: Family campers should know that some campgrounds have issues with noise after hours. "This seemed like a 'party park' with music playing and people being loud after quiet hours. In addition, the beach area had a lot of trash laying around," reports Amy G. about Evangola State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Some rv parks near Mayville, New York have uneven sites. "Nothing special. Sites are not level and are close to each other. They do have a pool but that's it," advises Bill B. about Presque Isle Passage RV Park.
Water hookup strategies: Not all sites have water directly at the pad. "We ran low on fresh water, so a 75' hose was long enough to reach the fresh water spigot. The other campers used the spigot, but they toted water carriers. Electric was 50 & 30A. Nothing disappointing, just very quiet and private," shares Tim J. from West Haven RV Park.
Site selection tips: Choose sites strategically for the best experience. "Full park but still quiet with good spacing between outer ring spots," suggests Sarah C. about Lake Erie State Park, highlighting the importance of site selection for privacy.
