Camping areas within driving distance of Youngstown, Ohio center largely around scenic lakes and reservoirs in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Most campsites in the region sit on former farmland that's been converted to recreational use, with mixed hardwood forests providing natural boundaries between camping areas.
What to do
Fishing in stocked lakes: At Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area, campers have direct water access from lakefront sites. "Our camp site was in close proximity to the restroom facilities. We were fourtante that our spot was right beside the lake and we could keep the boat docked their during our stay," notes Renee G.
Archery practice: Mosquito Lake State Park maintains an archery range for visitors. "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," reports Karen D.
Historical exploration: Beaver Creek State Park Campground offers a glimpse into local history with its pioneer village. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," explains Shay D.
Wildlife observation: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to see local wildlife. One camper at Shenango Campground mentioned, "We saw big Blue Herons, Oriels, Robins, and lot's of little song birds. There are some groundhogs there too."
What campers like
Clean facilities: West Branch State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. "Clean individual showers," notes dan M., while another camper described it as having "best barhrooms around! showers great. bathrooms great."
Spacious sites: Campgrounds near Youngstown typically offer good separation between sites. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, "It does not feel crowded, sites were grassy and all utilities worked well," according to Sue B.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. At Youngstown ARS FamCamp, a camper observed it's "pretty quiet, probably more air traffic when it's warmer as it's mostly private planes at the actual airport."
Water access: Direct lake access remains a major draw for many campsites. A camper at Mill Creek noted, "We have our own private little beach which our dog loves. Which is another plus, we have a Rottie mix and they allow her in."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds in the region fill quickly, especially water-adjacent sites. At West Branch, one visitor advises, "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!"
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. "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," reported one camper at West Branch.
Water restrictions: Beaver Creek State Park Campground operates with limited water facilities. "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!" warns a visitor.
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on vehicle size or road access. A Beaver Creek camper noted, "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, "Our family really enjoyed staying here, and our kids especially loved swimming and fishing in the lake," reports Sabrina D.
Nature exploration activities: Mill Creek offers educational opportunities for younger visitors. "Beach was great and there an epic playground for kids. If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground and nets provided to catch critters," notes Joe F.
Weekend entertainment: Several campgrounds schedule regular activities for families. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shares one West Branch camper, while others mention movie nights at various parks.
Bike-friendly layouts: Some campgrounds feature terrain suitable for younger cyclists. "Campground is flat and great for bike riding. Nice playground for kids," reports a visitor to Mosquito Lake.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Some campgrounds have unusual setups for RV hookups. At Shenango Campground, "There are no FHU sites (camp host sites have electric & water). Electric sites are centrally grouped within the loops and spaced closer together than most COEs," explains one experienced RVer.
Water fill stations: Several campers note challenges with water access. "First 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," reports a West Branch camper.
Site selection strategies: RVers recommend researching specific sites. "If we were to stay at this CG again, we'd come during the week and get a dry camping site on the water," advises a Shenango visitor, while another notes, "The Pine Loop # 130, 161, 118, 121, 123, and 128" offer better options at that location.
Dump station access: Campers note varying dump station arrangements across parks. At one KOA location, a visitor reported, "Our spot was level but our sewer hookup was next to the neighbors campfire so we couldn't hook up and had to use the dump station before we left."
