Camping opportunities near Chippewa Lake, Ohio encompass diverse options within a 30-mile radius of this 330-acre glacial lake. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with humid continental climate patterns, creating distinct camping seasons from late April through mid-October. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally, closing during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access points: Charles Mill Lake Park Campground offers waterside sites with easy fishing opportunities. A visitor noted, "Beautiful lake with lakeside sites. Wooden and peaceful," while another mentioned seeing "deer that would come over every morning."
Hiking trails: At West Branch State Park Campground, multiple scenic trails provide various difficulty levels. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch," reports one camper, while another mentioned that the park "had some really nice hiking trails."
Water recreation: American Wilderness Campground provides a lake with swimming beach near Chippewa Lake. A visitor shared, "We loved the fishing available here we also had the kids they enjoyed the arcade and gem mining," while another commented on "the beach was clean and nice."
Mini golf and activities: Campgrounds in the region offer organized recreation beyond natural features. One visitor to Mohican Adventures mentioned, "Across the street they have a Canoe livery, mini golf, go carts, ropes course and lots more. So much to do!!"
What campers like
Private campsites: Some campers value separation between sites. At Mohican Adventures Campground, "We tent camped and had a private spot in the woods which we loved. The campgrounds covers all the basics."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Countryside Campground, visitors appreciated that "the bathrooms were clean, the showers we nice and the pool was well kept. Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table both in good condition."
Seasonal activities: Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA organizes regular events for campers. "Every night we were visited by raccoons," one camper noted, adding that "the pool was so nice it wasn't too crowded and the view over looking the 'lake' was so pretty."
Water views: Multiple campgrounds offer lakefront or waterfront sites. A camper at West Branch shared, "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!"
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At West Branch State Park, a camper reported, "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."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during colder months. Countryside Campground operates from "May 1 to October 30," while American Wilderness has a season from "April 28 to October 15."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront options. At Charles Mill Lake Park Campground, campers recommend reservations, as one noted, "It's opposite the main campground up the mile about .5 mile. The sites are not as modern but have more trees and natural beauty."
Cell service limitations: Some parks have poor connectivity. At Mohican State Park, a visitor mentioned, "No cell service with Verizon at this park," which affects planning and navigation.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Cleveland/Sandusky Jellystone Park offers structured water activities for children. A visitor noted, "Nice, clean pool area. Good sized playground. Great for kids," while another mentioned "Large campground with a nice mix of seasonal and overnighters."
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple campgrounds have dedicated children's areas. At Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, "The game room was small but the kids loved it," and the campground has "fun little raccoon hand prints all over."
Wildlife viewing: Kids enjoy natural encounters at several parks. At Charles Mill Lake, campers reported wildlife sightings: "We had deer that would come over every morning," providing natural educational opportunities.
Budget considerations: Family activities can add costs beyond camping fees. A visitor to Mohican Adventures noted, "The price includes 2 campers per site and anyone extra is $10 a night. We've never encountered that and seems excessive."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on privacy needs. At Mohican Adventures, an RVer commented, "Many sites were set up as buddy sites so we had to share our outside space with our neighbors. It was tight and awkward."
Hookup availability: Water and electric service varies by campground and site. At Countryside Campground, "We stayed here in a 29'TT, 3 kids, 2 dogs. Well kept smaller campground," with full hookups available.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns. At Charles Mill Lake, a camper noted, "Roads are narrow & hilly," making navigation difficult for larger rigs.
Seasonal discounts: Off-peak camping offers better value. "We camped here off season and had the place to ourselves," reported an RVer at Mohican Adventures, adding that "The staff is friendly and the indoor pool and shower houses were amazing."
