Sherman, New York sits near the Pennsylvania border at an elevation of 1,550 feet, where camping options range from lakeside sites on Lake Erie to more wooded, inland locations. RV campers will find concrete pad sites at state parks and private campgrounds, with varying levels of amenities depending on the location. Cell service can be spotty in some areas, particularly in more remote campgrounds west of Sherman.
What to do
Fishing access: At Willow Bay Recreation Area, the campground provides easy access to the Allegheny Reservoir. "Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail," according to Bill G.
Beach recreation: Sara's Campground offers sites directly on Lake Erie. "The beach side is wonderful. Very nice people and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the waves at night and having my coffee watching the sun rise and the waves crashing onshore," notes Barbara H. The location puts campers within walking distance of Peninsula Drive beaches.
Bike trails: Multiple campgrounds provide access to biking routes. "Bring your bikes if you like to bike," suggests Kelly B. about Sara's Campground. The nearby Presque Isle bike trail loops the peninsula and starts directly in front of the campground, offering miles of scenic riding opportunities for all skill levels.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: West haven rv park and campground receives praise for site privacy. "The site was nice, kinda secluded but could still see RVs and people driving around. Was pretty quiet though," writes Fred J. Another camper noted, "We have been tent camping here since the 90's it was r&k campground back then. We would stay in the honey moon sight. Completely surrounded by trees."
Lakefront views: Lake Erie State Park Campground offers sites with views of the lake. "This campground is FANTASTIC! When you think State Park there is almost always a compromise, but not here... The playgrounds and picnic shelters (multiple of each) are in great condition and the views are EPIC!" reports Brian P.
Clean facilities: Multiple campers mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms and showers are very clean," notes Tracy S. at Sparrow Pond Family Campground. At Lampe Marina Campground, a reviewer stated, "Clean shower facilities. There is not a lot of shade at the sites so I would recommend taking a pop up tent if you're going to spend a lot of time outside."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: RV sites near Sherman, New York have different layouts depending on location. At Erie KOA, "The sites are not level and are very crowded. It is good for an overnight stop," according to Kelly F. Meanwhile at West haven rv park, "The sites are spacious and cabins are also available to rent."
Water access options: Not all campgrounds offer the same water hookups. At Lake Erie State Park, "The water hookups are NOT at each site, but there is one CLOSE to each site, so you can run your house over, fill your tank, and disconnect," explains Brian P.
Reservation needs: Summer weekends fill quickly. "We stayed here because it was fairly close to Presque Isle and the price was very reasonable for the area," mentions Gayle B. about Sparrow Pond Family Campground. Planning ahead is particularly important for holiday weekends when most campgrounds reach capacity.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Presque Isle Passage RV Park offers "Clean, nice, stuff for kids. Room for big rigs, and tents. Yurts and cabins available," according to David R. Several campgrounds near Sherman feature playgrounds, pools, and organized activities during summer months.
Tent camping considerations: Not all campgrounds are equally suitable for tent campers. "Lots of RVs, not many tents. Small section in the back of the campground for tents," notes Fred J. about Presque Isle Passage. At Sara's Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "The sites are small and kinda boring. However the location definitely makes it worth it."
On-site conveniences: Some campgrounds offer food options. "On site pizza is very convenient and they deliver to your site," mentions Kelly F. about Erie KOA. Sara's Campground features "a restaurant/icecream at the entrance to the campground also called sarah's that have a orange sherbert and vanilla icecream twist cone."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: RV sites around Sherman sometimes require additional equipment. At West Haven, one camper noted, "The site was kept nice & loved the brick pavers patio." In contrast, at Willow Bay, "We stayed at Hemlock #56. The fresh water spigot was at the end of our driveway, which is on a slight incline. A couple of extra tongue blocks would've been useful since the site slopes in the front and at the back."
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. Lake Erie State Park provides "15/30/50 amp electric service" according to reviews, while other parks may offer only 30-amp service. Full hookups are available at some locations but not others, requiring planning for water and dump station needs.
Site selection strategy: For RVers, site selection can impact the camping experience. "There is more privacy between sites and lots of shade on the loop around the pond," notes Erik E. about Erie KOA. Looking at site maps or calling ahead about specific locations within campgrounds can secure more desirable spots.
