West Branch State Park, located about 20 minutes from Kent, Ohio, offers glamping options within a 8,000-acre park surrounding the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. The Kent area features diverse camping terrain from lakeside spots to wooded sites, with most campgrounds operating between May and October. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, making weather preparation essential for comfortable outdoor stays.
What to do
Hiking trails near water features: At West Branch State Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple hiking trails alongside Kirwan Reservoir. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. Bridal trails are located on Esworthy Rd," notes Alisa G., who recommends kayaking from waterside campsites.
Lake activities for all ages: Kool Lakes Family RV Park offers both swimming and fishing lakes separated for different activities. "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," shares Joe F., highlighting the family-friendly water activities.
Disc golf and archery: Punderson State Park features both disc golf courses and archery ranges for visitors seeking land-based recreation. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf," mentions Rebecca G., describing the variety of activities beyond typical camping.
What campers like
Private shoreline access: Many campers appreciate Countryside Campground for its path to Mogadore Reservoir. "There is a nice path through the woods down to the reservoir, where you can fish and kayak," notes Kathryn P., who praises the well-maintained facilities.
Well-maintained bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms consistently receive positive mentions at Mill Creek Camping. "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," shares Sarah K., explaining why she returns annually.
Clean individual shower facilities: Campers frequently mention shower quality as a deciding factor. "Clean individual showers," reports Dan M. about West Branch State Park, while another camper mentions, "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."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "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. at West Branch State Park.
Seasonal operation limitations: Most glamping options near Kent operate from May through October, with limited availability in shoulder seasons. "Open 5/1/2020 - 10/15/2020," notes the KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake listing, typical of most area campgrounds.
Water quality variations: Water quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Woodside Lake Park, recent visitors noted issues: "I spent hundreds of dollars trying to filter and clean up the water to no avail. It damages everything," reports Jerry L., suggesting bringing additional water filters.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities schedule: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured programming for children. At KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake, "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.
Site selection for families: Choose sites with minimal elevation changes when camping with small children. "Check in is very easy as you pass the camp store on your way in. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table. West Branch has private, spacious, shady sites," recommends Alisa G.
Playground accessibility: Most campgrounds feature playground equipment, but quality varies. "Playground, big open area and a nice pool!" notes Christy D. about Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, while another reviewer mentions, "There are playgrounds for the children. An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup variability: Power options differ widely between campgrounds. "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service. The lots are not even close to level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level," warns Coy at Punderson State Park, suggesting bringing leveling blocks and power adapters.
Pull-through site access: RVers should research site accessibility before booking. "I stayed on site LV27. Great location, but not even close to level. Seemed to be the only site with this issue," reports Chuck E. about Clay's Resort Jellystone Park, highlighting the importance of site-specific research.
Dump station timing: Plan dump station usage carefully during busy checkout times. "We returned to the campground right before 7:00, the office was closing. Nobody had still been to our site to fix our problem," shares a visitor at Country Acres Campground, emphasizing the importance of addressing services early.
