Hartville camping areas spread across northeastern Ohio with many locations nestled near lakes, rivers, and wooded areas. The region typically experiences warm summers with highs around 80°F and cold winters where temperatures often drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, with limited year-round options available.
What to do
Water activities on Atwood Lake: At Atwood Lake Park Campground, visitors can launch boats directly from waterfront sites. "We could leave our camper, take the boat over to the beach and drop off the grandkids and me the Nana for swimming at the beach dock. Good fishing, clean clean clean," writes Susan S., highlighting the convenience of lake access.
Hiking near Berlin Lake: The Berlin Lake Wildlife Area offers campers access to several hiking trails with lake views. A camper at Mill Creek Camping notes, "The park itself and the bathrooms were very clean. We book a lakefront site and it is just gorgeous! We have our own private little beach which our dog loves."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes around Hartville provide good fishing. "There is a nice path through the woods down to the reservoir, where you can fish and kayak," mentions Kathryn P. about Countryside Campground, which sits near Mogadore Reservoir.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots. At West Branch State Park Campground, campers appreciate the natural separation. "West Branch has private, spacious, shady sites. We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite," notes Alisa G. The park features wooded sites that provide a sense of isolation despite being in a popular area.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in camper satisfaction. "The shower house and bathrooms are large and clean. There is even a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days," mentions a West Branch camper. Another visitor at Mill Creek Camping noted "perfect weekend getaway" with "very clean" park facilities.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds organize regular events. "The campground was clean, the bathrooms were updated and also extremely clean. 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," shares Casey L. about KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites book up months in advance. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" warns Alisa G. about West Branch State Park. Similarly, glamping close to Hartville, Ohio typically requires early booking.
Campsite leveling challenges: Some parks have 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. about West Branch State Park.
Noise considerations: Road noise can be an issue at some locations. Fred R. notes about KOA Lake Milton: "But the hiway noise was just too much for the kids to sleep, and to enjoy a night at the fire having to yell at times."
Water quality varies: At some campgrounds, water quality can be problematic. "I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail. It damages everything," reports a camper at Woodside Lake Park, recommending visitors verify their water source.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water features: Many parks offer specialized swimming areas. "The swimming pond has inflatables and boat rentals. There's good fishing, and typically lots of activities," notes James S. about Woodside Lake Park, where families find various entertainment options.
Choose campgrounds with planned activities: Parks often organize weekend events. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shares a West Branch visitor, showing how structured activities enhance family camping experiences.
Consider glamping options for comfort: Luxury camping close to Hartville provides easier transitions for families new to outdoor experiences. Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA offers various accommodation types. "We were able to get a group site with friends along a wooded section," mentions Traci F., highlighting the social camping opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Some RV sites have layout challenges. At West Branch, Joe I. advises, "It seems like the sites are good sized but some are on slopes even the pads so make sure to bring stuff to level."
Look for concrete pads: Full-hookup sites with concrete pads reduce setup headaches. "The site have large concrete pads with full hookups," notes Andrea F. about Atwood Lake Park, recommending site 919 specifically.
Consider utility placement: Hookup locations can create unexpected issues. One camper at KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake 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."
