Jamestown area RV parks and campgrounds operate primarily from May through October, with most closing for the winter season. Located in southwestern New York near the Pennsylvania border, the region receives over 200 inches of snow annually, making seasonal camping restrictions necessary. Temperatures in peak camping season typically range from 60-80°F with frequent rain showers due to proximity to Lake Erie.
What to do
**Hiking trails: ** Allegany State Park offers extensive hiking opportunities across 65,000 acres. "We camped here with one of our children, and hiked a couple of trails, that were beautiful!" notes a visitor to Quaker Area — Allegany State Park. Another camper mentions "Miles of hiking trails accessible right from the campground" at Chapman State Park Campground.
Water activities: The Allegheny Reservoir provides boating and fishing options. At Willow Bay, "The water is a great amenity and you can rent canoes and kayaks!!" Lake Erie State Park offers shoreline recreation with one camper noting, "Short walk from campsite to the lake. Try to see sunset!"
Wildlife viewing: The rural setting provides opportunities to spot local fauna. A camper at Lake Erie State Park reported, "We saw lots of wildlife (black squirrels, rabbits and birds)." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature direct water access. "Gorgeous setting on the edge of the Kinzua Reservoir. The sites are spacious and cabins are also available to rent," says a visitor at Willow Bay Recreation Area. Another camper describes "Beautiful rocky beach campsites" and adds "the water is a great amenity."
Private sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded options. A camper at West Haven RV Park mentioned their site was "kept nice & loved the brick pavers patio." Another visitor noted, "Jodi placed us in a very nice spot right next to huge freshly mowed field in the rear of the park."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. At Chapman State Park, visitors report "excellent restroom/shower facilities" with one adding the park is "well maintained, with breathing room between sites." A Lake Erie State Park camper noted "The shower houses are clean" with "individual stalls."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Willow Bay, "there is no cell service or wifi available," while another camper notes "zero Verizon coverage" in certain areas. Allegany State Park has "Poor, to no cell phone reception in the Quaker Area."
Water access points: Several campgrounds have centralized water sources rather than site hookups. At High Pines RV Park, one camper noted "Our site only had 30a power. Most seem to be that way." Another visitor staying at a different park mentioned the need to "run your house over, fill your tank, and disconnect."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects camping conditions significantly. Chapman State Park had campers who appreciated that "It was nice and cool w/ breeze" during June stays. Fall visitors to High Pines mentioned "We went for fall activities in the area."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. "There is a nice big playground" at Allegany State Park according to reviews. At Lake Erie State Park Campground, a visitor noted the beach area includes "a playground" making it suitable for families with younger children.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds provide specific amenities for children. High Pines "have a game room that offers free games for the kids along with a playground and basketball court." Facilities often include nature programs with one camper noting "There were lots of nature programs put on by the park."
Site selection for families: Location within campgrounds matters for families. At Allegany State Park, one visitor mentioned "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: RV sites often require adjustment for comfort. At Willow Bay, a camper noted "A couple of extra tongue blocks would've been useful since the site slopes in the front and at the back." Similar experiences occur at other parks with gravel sites.
Electrical capacity planning: Amperage varies between parks and specific sites. One High Pines visitor cautioned "Making sure it's not peak summer due to not having 50A" while another mentioned their specific site limitations with "Our site only had 30a power."
Extended stay amenities: Longer-term campers have specific needs. At West Haven, a camper who had "no reservation after a long day" appreciated that the owner "placed us in a very nice spot" and "came by later to check on us and see if we needed anything." Most rv parks near Jamestown, New York close for winter, with only select locations like Presque Isle Passage operating year-round.
