Cabins and camping facilities near Garrettsville, Ohio span across several parks in Portage and neighboring counties. The area features mixed hardwood forests, rolling terrain, and numerous lakes formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago. Winter temperatures typically range from 15-35°F, while summer months average 65-85°F with moderate rainfall, affecting both camping conditions and seasonal availability.
What to do
Kayak the reservoir: At West Branch State Park Campground, visitors can launch kayaks directly from lakeside sites. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite. There are many inlets to explore or fish," notes Alisa G., who visits yearly. The reservoir offers calm waters suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Visit the dog park: Pet owners appreciate the dedicated dog recreation areas available at several campgrounds. "West Branch has a newer dog park near the intersection of Rock Spring and Esworthy roads," mentions Alisa G. The park provides a safe, enclosed area for dogs to exercise off-leash while their owners socialize.
Enjoy water inflatables: Woodside Lake Park maintains a swimming area with water play equipment. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," reports James S., who visits multiple times annually. The inflatables are typically available during summer months, weather permitting.
What campers like
Private, shaded sites: Campers consistently mention the spaciousness and privacy of sites at several campgrounds. At West Branch State Park Campground, Dan M. notes there are "very private sites" with "clean individual showers." Similarly, Katelyn P. describes her site as a "Beautiul water side site... Shades lots of space semi private area."
Clean bathroom facilities: Modern, well-maintained restrooms are available at most area campgrounds. At Countryside Campground, "The bathrooms were clean, the showers were nice and the pool was well kept," according to Kathryn P. Many campgrounds also offer separate shower facilities with hot water and good water pressure.
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds provide shoreline fishing opportunities. Tommy K. at Countryside Campground mentions, "The Buckeye ebail connects to the footpath down to the reservoir," providing fishing access. Joe F. at Kool Lakes Family RV Park shares, "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."
What you should know
Site terrain varies: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for setting up. At West Branch, Andrea F. warns, "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." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for RVs and trailers.
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Roundup Lake RV Resort runs from May through October, while Woodside Lake Park is open from mid-April through October. Some amenities like pools and beaches close earlier than the campgrounds themselves, typically after Labor Day.
Water quality issues: At Roundup Lake RV Resort, Jerry L. reports problems with "iron & sulfur laden well water that is provided in at least half the park. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail." Bringing additional drinking water is recommended for certain campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Book waterfront sites early: Popular waterfront locations fill quickly, especially during summer. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" advises Alisa G. about West Branch State Park. Booking opens typically 6 months before arrival date for most state parks.
Kids' activities: Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA offers structured recreation for children. "The game room was small but the kids loved it," mentions Traci F. Countryside Campground provides additional options: "Staff had crafts and pumpkin decorating for kids also and were helpful and friendly," according to Joe F.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds maintain play areas for different age groups. At Countryside Campground, "Playground was a hit for our 8yr and under kids," says Joe F. West Branch State Park features "a nice playground with toy stocked sandpit," according to Lee D., providing entertainment even without water activities.
Tips from RVers
Early arrival recommended: Tight campground layouts can make late check-ins challenging. At Countryside Campground, Joe F. advises, "get there early or you'll have many vehicles and campers to watch for as you back in!" This is especially important for larger rigs at campgrounds with narrower roads.
Water fill locations: Some campgrounds have poorly designed water stations. Andrea F. notes that at West Branch, "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."
Utility reliability: Electrical hookups can be inconsistent at some locations. Check connections before settling in, and bring surge protectors. For travelers needing consistent power for medical devices, state parks like West Branch typically maintain more reliable utility systems than smaller private campgrounds.
