Rustic camping options surround Bentleyville, Ohio, situated in the glacially-formed terrain of northeastern Ohio. The region features varied elevation with rolling hills, wooded areas, and numerous lakes and reservoirs. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F while summer camping season brings 80°F days with moderate humidity.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Punderson State Park offers a 27-hole disc golf course that attracts enthusiasts. "Beautiful scenery, very large park, fishing, boat rentals, man made beach, loooong floating boardwalk, lots of trails, unique sites and tons of history," notes Daniel U. about Punderson State Park Campground.
Archery practice: Multiple campgrounds maintain archery ranges for target practice. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf," reports Rebecca G. about her stay at Punderson.
Nature exploration: Penitentiary Glen Reservation provides secluded camping near scenic gorges. "My friends and I decided to stay here for the weekend. Even with the colder weather it was nice and cozy. Plenty of fire wood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk," writes Ky G. about their experience at Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite.
Fishing opportunities: Berlin Lake Wildlife Area offers multiple fishing spots around the campground. "We were fourtante that our spot was right beside the lake and we could keep the boat docked their during our stay," notes Renee G. about Mill Creek Camping.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the lakeside camping options. "I had the furthest lakeside tent from the office. was a beautiful site but the water treatment facility had a loud hum all night, even though they said it was quiet," mentions Adelle C. about her stay at Punderson State Park Campground.
Abundant wildlife: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife viewing. "The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course. Coyotes were heard all around the general area," reports Ky G. about Penitentiary Glen.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high on camper preferences. "The park is beautiful. Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf. Showerheads were to low for anyone over 5'7", and only a few sites were full hookup," shares Rebecca G. about Punderson State Park.
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to traditional pools. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," notes James S. about his stay at Woodside Lake Park.
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: Terrain can be challenging at some campgrounds. "The sites greatly very on size and flatness so make sure you look at the pictures of the site before you book some are basically the parking pad and a fire ring, some are big and flat some are on a incline," advises Joe I. about Punderson.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water issues. "I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail. It damages everything and they won't put a treatment system in at the well pump like the 2nd well has," warns Jerry L. about his experience at Woodside Lake Park.
Limited services off-season: Amenities may be restricted outside peak months. "The pool was closed since went before Memorial Day but it was a nice medium sized pool," notes Tommy K. about Countryside Campground.
Weather impact: Ohio weather can affect camping conditions. "We didn't have much for walk in sites but we were able to find a great site. It was plenty big. We didn't have water access but they had plenty of sites with access and a boat ramp," explains Darren R. about camping at Mill Creek during a spontaneous trip.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly play 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. There is a lot of hiking and things to do around the area and even a playground for the kiddos," recommends Jenny K. about Punderson State Park.
Kid-friendly water activities: Lakes often include special features for children. "The kids were trick or treating to each camp spot," mentions Erin about Countryside Campground's seasonal activities.
Nature play areas: Some parks offer unique outdoor play spaces. "If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground and nets provided to catch critters," explains Joe F. about Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular family events. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shares Alisa G. about West Branch State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. "The lots are not even close the 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 Coy about Punderson State Park.
Water fill station issues: Some campgrounds have poorly designed water services. "First the water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full. This was okay for a short weekend but not good planning from who ever designed the park," explains Andrea F. about West Branch.
Site selection importance: Research specific site characteristics before booking. "The camp grounds for RV's is not the best. Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service," notes Coy about Punderson's limitations for RVers.
Off-grid preparation: Several glamping options near Bentleyville require self-sufficiency. "We were in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us. Beach is right next door too!" shares Rino S. about West Branch State Park's amenities.
