Best Tent Camping near Mayville, NY

Tent campsites near Mayville, New York range from established campgrounds to dispersed options in nearby forests. Compass Campgrounds offers dedicated tent sites with trail access and basic amenities, while Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest provides a more primitive experience for those seeking backcountry camping approximately 10 miles south of Mayville.

Most tent campgrounds in the Mayville area feature fire rings and allow pets, though amenities vary significantly between established and dispersed sites. Warner Road sites have picnic tables but lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Access is primarily drive-in, with some sites requiring short walks to reach the actual tent pads. The terrain typically consists of natural forest floor with minimal site preparation. One camper noted that "the site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services," highlighting the basic nature of dispersed camping in the area. Several reviews mention potential for messy sites from previous users, suggesting campers should bring trash bags to pack out all waste.

Tent camping experiences vary seasonally, with early fall offering more comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at most sites. North Harmony State Forest sites provide a more secluded experience but come with limited facilities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, some dispersed sites have posted signs indicating "Day Use Only," creating confusion about overnight camping permissions. Areas closer to Mayville offer more established tent campsites with amenities like toilets and drinking water, while backcountry options provide greater solitude. Campers frequently mention the balance between convenience and wilderness experience, with sites like Big Oak Hill offering a hilltop tent camping location accessible by drive-in, though potentially requiring four-wheel drive after rain. The surrounding landscapes feature hiking opportunities ranging from forest trails to scenic overlooks.

Best Tent Sites Near Mayville, New York (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mayville, NY

7 Photos of 16 Mayville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Mayville, NY

368 Reviews of 16 Mayville Campgrounds


  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Best Hike-In Camp in PA

    Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail, in the Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is made up of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. 

    The tent section is cleared and grassy with communal firepit and picnic table. Lots of trees to enable hammock set up. There is a supply of firewood in a covered shed for a small donation and two(2) drop toilets. Water is available in the summer months. The shelters are approx. 15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. It’s a stunning walk with lots of small swimming spots along the way. 

    The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA. The walk-in from the carpark is approx. 15min– slight downhill on the way in.

  • Britt B.
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Winter Camping at Wolfkiel Shelters

    This was our second time to the Wolfkiel Shelters in Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in camping areas which consists of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The road in was snow covered but easily navigated. The Shelter carpark is small and was almost full the day we arrived. The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile(~15min). The drop toilets were open, but probably wise to BYO toilet tissue. The shelters have hooks that allow you to hang a tarpaulin to help keep the heat in your shelter, although not necessary, especially if the nights are still. Snow did blow into our Shelter in the morning but was minimal. There is a self-serve timber stack which was fully stocked. A donation is requested. It’s wise to bring your own kindling, or an axe to cut some from the larger pieces. The shelter fireplaces have hooks for hanging pots and pans over the flames. Even in Winter, the shelters positioned so you do not look at other shelters. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. These shelters are very peaceful in the winter and would highly recommend them if you are keen for some“winter camping” but not keen to sleep in a tent or be completely exposed. The shelters are approx.15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Great quiet little campground

    Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles. Other smaller sites for tents or vans. Self serve ice $2 wood $10. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site. AT&T spotty 0-1 bars. Host camper. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 1 Xlarge site for groups.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Simple and serene

    Hearts Content is best described as a way station. The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV’s . There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets. Two of the sites include Adirondack type shelters. A picnic table and fire ring are within each site. I used this site as a staging area to explore Allegheny National Forest for a week. Used a camp shower. The closest town is Warren, PA. Firewood is available at the camp host site. Across the road is an hiking area with picnic tables and the like.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Quiet nights, Easy days

    Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. The campground services tent sites, RV sites as well as small cabins with electricity. There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail. Other, smaller trails are here as well. The New York State lone is less than five miles away- providing access to Allegheny State Park. The closest town of note is Bradford, which is about 18 miles away. It has all you need to get your necessities. The cabins were small- one twin bed and a set of single bunks. You need to bring your own sheets. There is a small heater imbedded in the wall. It keeps things from getting too cold, as it was when I was there. Fire ring and picnic table provided. Charcoal grill as well. The only problem I had was with the wildlife. A mouse or something kep crawling in the space between the roof and ceiling. There is no cel service here, and you shouldn’t need it either. Places to visit are too numerous to mention, but I will give a shout out to the zippo case museum, absolutely a must.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    This is a great vacation area.....spend a week!

    Did you know this is NY's largest state campground? We stopped here on a rainy night, but what we saw convinced me we need to return. I know this campground is a vacation destination for families in western NY.

    Cain Hollow is in the Quaker Run area which includes Quaker Lake. There is another campground in the Red House Area, and there are also lots of cabins. This is definitely a 4 seasons park - hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing....

    I was able to take photos of a few sites the next morning. You can see that sites are private and you're definitely in the woods. There are food storage boxes at all campsites because you're in bear country.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Minimal offering for maximum relaxing

    This campground is within Allegheny National Forest near the town of Warren and Tidouette. The sites are few but spacious. Good for car camping, though I’m sure a smaller RVcould get by. Each site has a fire ring. Two sites have Adirondack type shelters. The night sky is promising but light pollution from Warren inhibits a truly awesome night sky. There is a vault toilet. No showers. No water either. Bring what you need! The closest town is about 30 minutes away. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here. We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Price was cheap. No frills but a quiet respite for sure.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Minister Creek Campground

    Small, rustic, gorgeous

    We stayed here July 2018 and found a quiet campsite by the creek. It had been quite rainy and some of the sites were wet and muddy, but for $12, I couldn't complain. While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp). Arrive early to get a prime spot, and take advantage of the hiking trails (a bug net for your head will help in the summer as the gnats and deer flies are distracting). Looking forward to staying again.

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.


Guide to Mayville

Tent camping near Mayville, New York ranges from primitive forest sites to established campgrounds within a 15-mile radius. The region sits at the northern end of Chautauqua Lake with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 feet, creating varied terrain for camping options. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer nights typically stay between 55-65°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: Hector Falls offers a unique hiking destination approximately 30 miles from Mayville. "It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop," notes Bob J. from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite.

Wildlife observation: The wooded areas surrounding Mayville provide ample opportunities for spotting local fauna. According to Jake C., "Compass Campgrounds is more than a place to stay, they also have tons of trails so you can explore the area and search for local wildlife."

Off-season camping: Winter camping presents challenges but rewards solitude seekers. Ian B. describes his experience at Forestry Road: "It was freezing, quite literally, with nights in the low teens. The melting and refreezing had made the roads and surrounding trails a little slippery so I would be cautious if traveling alone."

What campers like

Elevated camping spots: Sites on hills offer special perspectives of the surrounding area. Thomas B. describes Big Oak Hill: "It is a newly created campsite that is located on top of a hill with a big oak tree. The campsite is accessible by drive-in, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there has been rain."

Quiet forest surroundings: Many campers appreciate the peace found in dispersed sites. Ian H. from Forestry Road Dispersed shares: "This spot is a boondocker's delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley."

Convenience of nearby supplies: Despite the rustic nature of many sites, access to supplies remains manageable. Mark M. notes about the area: "Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street. The site seeing is second to none."

What you should know

Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage in the region. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night," warns Mystic S. from Forestry Road Dispersed.

Site conditions vary: Previous campers may leave sites in various states. Rose S. notes about Warner Road: "Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip."

Confusing signage: Some dispersed sites have unclear overnight camping designations. Denise D. reports: "Like the other review, this site has a lot of litter. Clearly people are camping here at times but there are posted signs that say Day Use Only. It was quiet and dark."

Tips for camping with families

Tick prevention: Families should take precautions against ticks when tent camping near Mayville. Ian B. advises about his experience at Streamside Eriegrove: "If you don't mind roughing it a bit, it's really quite nice. Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me."

Weather preparation: The region experiences significant rainfall, requiring weather-appropriate gear. According to one camper, "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door. Great hiking/biking."

Alternative camping options: For families seeking more amenities, converted campgrounds offer different experiences. Shannon S. mentions about Hidden Valley Camping Area: "It's new they have a little bit to go to be a Jellystone campground."

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Accessing some forest sites requires attention to weather impacts on road conditions. Mark M. shares his experience: "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160. It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door."

Cell service considerations: Despite the remote setting, connectivity exists in pockets. Eliezera M. notes: "The campsite next to the hiking trail has WiFi about 70% of the time."

Gas line awareness: Understanding local infrastructure helps navigation. "Apparently the entire area is a natural gas reserve, so there are these blue and orange posts signifying gas lines, those are actually the hiking trails. They don't look like normal trail heads," explains one camper who found spotty but reliable cell service averaging "3-4 bars of 5g" daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mayville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mayville, NY is Compass campgrounds with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mayville, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Mayville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.