West Branch State Park Campground near Canfield offers diverse camping options situated along the Kirwan Reservoir in northeastern Ohio. The campground provides lakefront tent and RV sites with elevation changes requiring leveling equipment at some locations. Seasonal operations run year-round with peak facilities available May through October, when overnight temperatures typically range from 45-75°F.
What to do
Water activities at West Branch: Campers can enjoy direct water access for fishing and boating at waterfront sites. "We're at site 160. No electricity, no hook ups, but a HUGE lakefront site. We're in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us. Beach is right next door too!" notes camper Rino S. from West Branch State Park Campground.
Fishing at Berlin Lake: The Berlin Lake Wildlife Area features multiple fishing spots along its shoreline. "Nice and flat grounds. Alot of sites for its size. Very nice lake and inflatables in swim area. Good fishing lake as well," reports Fred R. who visited KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake.
Hiking at McConnell's Mill: Located about 45 minutes from Canfield, this area offers creek-side hiking options. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," shares Britt B. who stayed at Breakneck Campground.
What campers like
Private shower facilities: West Branch State Park gets high marks for bathroom cleanliness. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great. Lots of 'lakefront' spots. Dog park is pretty great, too!" writes Kim B. who appreciates the facilities at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Many campers value the room between sites. "The sites are huge. The dog park is amazing. Theres so much to do here. Swimming, boating, fishing. We love it," explains Courtney C. who regularly camps at Mosquito Lake State Park.
Family entertainment options: KOA locations near Canfield feature multiple play areas. "The campground had so many amenities its hard to name them all! My 2 boys had so much fun at the lake and the playground and the bounce pad," writes Casey L., referencing the recreation options at KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Check operating dates as some campgrounds close during winter. "Mill Creek is only open in the summer," advises J M. who stayed at Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature uneven terrain. "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," reports Andrea F. after staying at West Branch State Park.
Water conditions: Lakes in the area can vary in clarity. "The water is muddy and the shoreline is sharp rocks," notes Alika T. who camped at Mill Creek Camping, while another camper mentioned algae issues at Mosquito Lake during mid-summer.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swim areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming zones. "Gets loud and crowded on the weekend as usual, the shower house is pretty nice. There are fire rings and electrics and nonelectric sites. Swimming and boating is nearby," shares Alika T. from Mill Creek Camping.
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with recreational amenities. "Very nice park with a lot of spacious spots. Scout camping, boat launch, primitive camping and more," explains John R. who visited Salem-Lisbon Ohio KOA with its multiple play areas.
Nature exploration options: Several campgrounds feature hiking trails for children. "There are little hideaway trails everywhere, making for a fun adventure! The campgrounds were a bit crowded, but good grounds, tucked away from the noises of the busy world," reports Jill T. who enjoyed glamping at West Branch State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water and electric hookups: Campers with RVs should check utility availability. "The camp 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," notes Rebecca G. who stayed at Punderson State Park Campground.
Site selection for size: Larger rigs require careful site choice. "The parks for RV's is not the best. Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service. The lots are not even close the level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level," warns Coy who stayed at Punderson State Park.
Late arrival procedures: Confirm check-in protocols if arriving after office hours. "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," shares Scott C. who stopped at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA while glamping near Canfield.
