West Branch State Park sits alongside a 2,650-acre lake about 15 miles from Aurora, Ohio. The park encompasses over 5,000 acres with several campgrounds offering tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts within proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Sites vary considerably in slope, accessibility, and privacy, with some areas prone to becoming muddy after heavy rainfall. The spring and summer camping season sees temperatures ranging from 50-85°F with moderate rainfall.
What to do
Water activities on Mosquito Lake: Mosquito Lake State Park offers numerous water recreation options with a large lake for fishing, swimming, and boating. "The camp is near beach & marina. Also many shops and restaurants within a 10 minute drive," notes Heidi B., who stayed at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Fishing from shoreline campsites: Many campgrounds in the area feature sites with direct water access for fishing. At Woodside Lake Park, "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," according to James S.
Disc golf and outdoor games: Parks in the region maintain recreational facilities beyond hiking and swimming. Daniel U. from Punderson State Park Campground shares: "Beautiful scenery, very large park, fishing, boat rentals, man made beach, loooong floating boardwalk, lots of trails, unique sites and tons of history... The park is very well maintained, has a nice playground and cute camp store."
Archery practice: Several state parks maintain designated archery ranges for target practice. John R. reports about Mosquito Lake: "We bring our bows and use the archery range," which makes for a unique outdoor activity option beyond typical camping recreation.
What campers like
Spacious wooded campsites: Campers frequently mention the generous spacing between sites at certain campgrounds. Tommy K. commented about Countryside Campground: "The 9 tent sites are very large and spacious... Showers were clean and spacious."
Clean facilities: The maintenance of bathhouses and shower facilities varies by campground but receives special attention in reviews. Teresa B. noted at West Branch State Park: "Very clean bathrooms! Beautiful sites with lake views. I love this campground. Nice people and very clean! Lots of nice sites."
Dog-friendly amenities: Multiple parks feature designated dog areas or are generally welcoming to pets. Jim L. commented: "This park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are somewhat private. There are many trails and even a dog park next to the lake."
Kid-focused recreation: Many campgrounds provide specialized areas for children. Joe F. shared about Mosquito Lake: "Beach was great and there's an epic playground for kids. If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground and nets provided to catch critters."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many reviewers mention issues with uneven camping pads. One camper at Mill Creek Camping noted: "Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. You have lots of space and don't feel crowded to the other people camping. All sites are reservation only and they usually fill up fast."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds struggle with water issues. One extended-stay visitor reported: "I left after 2 months due to iron & sulfur laden well water that is provided in at least half the park. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. At Punderson State Park, Greg A. warns: "Some of the sites are VERY SLOPED and some people parked campers in those spots and used very odd things to try and level them."
Weather impacts: The northeastern Ohio region experiences variable weather patterns. Andrea F. mentioned: "The only thing we were unable to do is have a camp fire. The fire ring was pushed so far down in the mud we were unable to get good air flow to start a fire."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select campsites near recreational facilities for convenience with children. At Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, Traci F. mentions: "The pool was so nice it wasn't too crowded and the view overlooking the 'lake' was so pretty... The game room was small but the kids loved it."
Nature programs: Check campground schedules for organized activities. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shares Alisa G. about West Branch State Park.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Choose shoreline sites for easy fishing access with children. Joe F. notes about Countryside Campground: "Went to this nice little spot with 4 kids, the hound and my wife... We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite."
Security considerations: Many campgrounds implement security measures for family safety. Kevin M. observed at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA: "There were 3 small ponds on site and games/parks for the kids. There was also security with a gate."
Tips from RVers
Hookup verification: Always check the electrical service before setting up. At Punderson State Park, one RVer warned: "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service. The lots are not even close to level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level."
Site selection strategy: Research individual site characteristics before booking. Duncan G. advised about Woodside Lake Park: "The area I was camped in was called Lower Meadow, and they had apparently received a lot of rain because they had recently added large stones to define the RV site area. It was not ideal but seemed to work ok."
Water system protection: Given variable water quality, take precautions with your RV water system. Jerry L. suggests: "Bring plenty of filters and plan on sanitizing your system after staying there."
Dump station planning: Some facilities have limited dumping capabilities. Sharon J. noted about Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA: "Sites were gravel and level. We enjoyed full hookups. Cable was better than most but WiFi could be a little weak. Curb trash pickup is always a little plus."
