Mosquito Lake State Park offers campers spacious sites with lake access about 60 miles east of Beachwood, Ohio. The campground maintains 218 sites across flat, wooded terrain that includes both shaded and open areas suitable for tents and RVs. Weather conditions vary seasonally with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall that can create muddy conditions at some campsites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mosquito Lake State Park provides excellent fishing access with both shoreline and boat options. "The kids age 4 and 8 fished from sun up Saturday to about noon and then sporadically after that throughout the day. That night we hunted large bull frogs," notes a visitor at Kool Lakes Family RV Park.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds near Beachwood offer disc golf courses for campers. A visitor at Punderson State Park Campground mentioned "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf" among the activities available.
Archery practice: Designated archery ranges provide an alternative outdoor activity. "We come here at least once, sometimes twice per year - we travel about 2 hours to get there... We like to bring our bows and use the archery range," says one camper about Mosquito Lake State Park's facilities.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many campgrounds offer tent sites set back from main camping areas. "I had originally gotten lot #81 but quickly got it switched to #83 because it was just waaaay better. Flatter ground and I was able to go deeper into the woods," reports a solo camper at West Branch State Park.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on visitor priorities. A camper at American Wilderness Campground noted "Beautiful clean serene park with absolutely stunning beach views at sunset. Also the park has older shower and bathrooms however there always clean and well taken care of every few hours staff cleaning!"
Lake access: Direct water access from campsites proves popular. "Our lot (a24) was right on water... Our kids age 4 and 8 fished from sun up Saturday to about noon and then sporadically after that throughout the day," shares a visitor about their experience at Kool Lakes Family RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Many campgrounds experience variable occupancy. One camper at West Branch State Park Campground advises: "I went the first week of October, and on weekdays, which was great because I had no neighbors."
Site levelness varies: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "The lots are not even close to level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level. Saw one RV with auto levelers with his tire about foot off the ground," warns a visitor about Punderson State Park.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience water quality challenges. "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," reports one camper at Woodside Lake Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several parks offer child-friendly play areas. "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," shares a visitor to Mosquito Lake State Park.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Look for accessible shoreline fishing areas. "This is a good campground for families. We tent camped here. The sites are pretty far apart and you feel secluded but, at the same time, the bathrooms are close by," notes a camper at Punderson State Park.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular family events. At Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, "The pool was so nice it wasn't too crowded and the view over looking the 'lake' was so pretty... The game room was small but the kids loved it."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking. At West Branch State Park, "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly! Check in is very easy as you pass the camp store on your way in."
Hookup availability: Verify electrical service meets your needs. "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service," warns one RV camper about Punderson State Park, suggesting limitations for power-hungry rigs.
Campground layout considerations: Some parks have challenging navigation for larger rigs. At Countryside Campground, a visitor advises: "We camped at site #10. Was level side to side, lots are pretty tight in that area. Advice - get there early or you'll have many vehicles and campers to watch for as you back in!"
