West Branch State Park campground sits at the shores of a 2,650-acre lake formed by the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir in northeastern Ohio, with campsites nestled among mature hardwood forests. The area around Brady Lake averages 39 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush surroundings but occasionally muddy camping conditions. Many campsites in this region are heavily wooded, providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Water recreation access: West Branch State Park Campground offers multiple lake access points for fishing and water activities. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite. There are many inlets to explore or fish," notes Alisa G. about West Branch State Park Campground.
Hiking trail networks: Countryside Campground connects to local trail systems with lake views. "The Buckeye trail connects to the footpath down to the reservoir. All and all it was a fun spot to enjoy some car camping with the family," shares Tommy K. from Countryside Camp Ground.
Disc golf courses: Punderson State Park features an on-site disc golf course among several outdoor recreation options. "Large beautiful park with lots of amenities. Boat ramp, disc golf, trails, kayak rentals, archery range and more," reports John R. about the facilities at Punderson.
Swimming options: Most campgrounds near Brady Lake feature swimming areas with varying amenities. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," says James S. about his experience at Woodside Lake Park.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently praise shower house cleanliness at certain campgrounds. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great. Lots of 'lakefront' spots. Dog park is pretty great, too!" remarks Kim B. about her stay at West Branch State Park Campground.
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between sites at select campgrounds. "West Branch has private, spacious, shady sites. The shower house and bathrooms are large and clean. There is even a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days," explains Alisa G.
Lake views and access: Direct water access from campsites is highly valued. "Beautiful spent a night here traveling thru," notes Deb B. about her experience at Lake Milton Berlin Lake KOA, where many sites feature water views.
Children's activities: Campgrounds offering structured activities receive positive mentions. "The park itself and the bathrooms were very clean. We book a lakefront site and it is just gorgeous! We have our own private little beach which our dog loves," shares Sarah K. about Mill Creek Camping.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches," explains Andrea F. about her site at West Branch State Park Campground.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October. "May 1 to October 15" is the typical season for Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, with similar timeframes for most glamping close to Brady Lake, Ohio.
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water systems. "The water smelled horrible, and both the shower head and faucet were caked with scum. My kids begged not to have to take a shower because of the smell," reports Hali R. about her stay at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" advises Alisa G. about securing premium locations at West Branch State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas for children. "My 2 boys had so much fun at the lake and the playground and the bounce pad etc etc!" shares Casey L. about KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake.
Water inflatables: Several lakes feature floating play structures during summer months. "Even during this pandemic, it didn't feel over crowded at any point. My kids really enjoyed the entire time and were wore out!" remarks Chuck E. about Clay's Resort Jellystone Park.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Accessible shoreline fishing opportunities exist at multiple campgrounds. "Our 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. All catch and release," describes Joe F. regarding his family's experience at Kool Lakes Family Campground.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions Alisa G. about weekend programming at West Branch State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds and specific sites. "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service. The lots are not even close to level," warns Coy about Punderson State Park Campground.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads can be challenging in some locations. "The roads are a bit rough, there are some potholes but nothing drastic," notes Sammii D. about Country Acres Campground's infrastructure.
Site width considerations: Some RV sites offer more space than others for outdoor setup. "We had a pull thru site. Highly recommend close proximity to bathrooms and showers. Spacious! Concrete slab with full hookup and straw instead of mud/grass," recommends Chelsea M. about Clay's Resort Jellystone Park.
Dump station access: Check for dump station locations and conditions when planning your stay. "Only an overnight stop during a bigger trip but it seemed nice. They were accommodating to our late arrival and left a map and gate key at the office for the late arrivers. The site was level and easy to hook up to," reports Scott C. about Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA.
