Camping spots near Sharpsville, Pennsylvania feature a mix of public and private options throughout the western Pennsylvania-Ohio border region. The area has an average elevation of around 1,200 feet, with moderate rainfall during camping season. Most campgrounds open from April through October, with fishing and boating activities peaking in June through August when water temperatures are warmest.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing access: At Shenango Campground, numerous sites offer direct water access for small watercraft. "Great place to camp, fish, boat, and do much more. I love the fact that you can tie your boat or wave runner right at most of the sites," notes Jim L. in his review of Shenango Campground.
Archery practice: West Branch State Park offers dedicated archery facilities for campers. "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," shares Karen D. about her experiences at West Branch State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Pymatuning region provides opportunities to spot local birds and wildlife. "We saw big Blue Herons, Oriels, Robins, and lots of little song birds. There are some groundhogs there too," reports B M. from their stay at Shenango Campground.
What campers like
Beach access: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The camper beach was small but nice and clean. We also took the inflatable kayaks out on the lake twice and it was so smooth and clear," writes Andrea F. about West Branch State Park Campground.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several parks offer dedicated pet areas. At Mosquito Lake State Park, "The dog park is amazing. There's so much to do here. Swimming, boating, fishing. We love it," according to Courtney C.'s review of Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions Alisa G. about West Branch State Park. At Chestnut Ridge, "On Saturday morning, Amish people come in and sell their baked goods. A text reminder came from the office. They had canned goods, eggs, and baked items including 1 GF item," reports Joan from Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground.
What you should know
Sloping sites: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "We tent camped here in early June. Campsite was fine other than trying to find room to put our big tent," notes Mary S. from her experience at Pymatuning State Park. At West Branch, Andrea F. reports, "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke. We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches."
Reservation timing: Most waterfront sites book quickly. "This place worked out great for us on our drive across the country. We could still get a reservation same day even though it was 4th of July weekend," shares Kathryn Z. about Jamestown Campground.
Alcohol regulations: Rules vary significantly between campgrounds. Shenango Campground prohibits alcohol, with Jim L. noting, "Great place to camp, fish, boat, and do much more. Just no booze." In contrast, most private campgrounds allow alcohol consumption.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Chestnut Ridge, campers appreciate family-friendly facilities with "a large playground" and spaces for activities. "The grounds are pretty with tall trees and plenty of amenities for families," mentions Donna M.
Site selection for kids: Some loops are more child-friendly than others. "We stayed in section 2, site 82 which had a direct view of the lake and was close to the bathhouse and restroom. If you have younger kids, this site is for you. The playground is right there as is the beach," recommends Jennifer L. about Pymatuning State Park Campground.
Nature activities: Several parks offer kid-focused outdoor programs. "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.
Tips from RVers
Water fill challenges: At some parks, utility placements create difficulties. "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," cautions Andrea F. about West Branch State Park.
Generator policies: Rules vary between campgrounds. At Shenango, "With all the dry camping sites in this CG, its nice that they allow generator use during non quiet hours. Quiet hours here are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM," notes MickandKarla W.
Navigation concerns: Several campgrounds warn about GPS directions. "We use both the RV Garmin 890 & RV Trip Wizard and both had us doing some crazy side roads to get into the KOA. Be sure to use the park's directions for an easier drive in," advises Jen O. about Mercer-Grove City KOA.
