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Northeast Ohio's landscape surrounding Kirtland offers diverse camping experiences within a short drive. Punderson State Park Campground in nearby Newbury provides year-round access with full amenities for tent, RV, and glamping options. The Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite offers a more rustic experience with tent sites, cabins, and yurts in a wooded setting. Big Creek Park in Chardon, just north of Kirtland, accommodates tent and RV camping with basic amenities. Several campgrounds in the region sit along Lake Erie's shoreline, including Geneva State Park about 30 miles northeast, while others are nestled in the forested areas between Cleveland and Akron.
Most campgrounds in the Kirtland area require advance reservations, especially during the peak summer season from May through September. Cell service varies significantly across the region, with some campers reporting weak coverage at certain parks. As one visitor to Penitentiary Glen noted, "Even with the colder weather it was nice and cozy. Plenty of firewood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk." Wildlife encounters are common, with the same reviewer mentioning, "The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful." Spring camping may encounter muddy conditions, as some sites at Geneva State Park were reported as "water logged" with straw placed to absorb moisture.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. Pymatuning State Park, though farther away on the Pennsylvania border, receives high praise for its lakefront sites. According to one camper, "Most if not all sites have views of the beautiful lake and the Pennsylvania shoreline across the lake." West Branch State Park, south of Kirtland, offers similar water recreation opportunities with "a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming reservoir with boat rental." The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath also provides unique camping options specifically designed for cyclists and hikers, with several primitive sites available along the route between Cleveland and Akron, making the area appealing to both recreational campers and those seeking active outdoor adventures. Kirtland's central location provides easy access to numerous campgrounds that showcase Ohio's natural beauty throughout all four seasons.
"Staff was great, check in area also has a little store with all the essentials stocked up, lots of trails, great for biking and hiking, a park for the kids, fishing, canoeing, showers, flush toilets, all"
"I had the furthest lakeside tent from the office. was a beautiful site but the water treatment facility had a loud hum all night, even though they said it was quiet."
from $27 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The campground is adjacent to the small community park and baseball fields. Very well maintained and quiet. As an added bonus it is right next to Lake Erie."
"Perry Township Park campground is exactly what campground should be: great accommodations, beautiful views, tremendous service, and easy accessibility to a lot of fun stuff :-) Most of the tent sites"
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Geneva State Park Campground: This was our first trip here and given the COVID situation it was still very pleasant. "
"Easy to get to, not crowded, the sites were paved and spaced decently and, it had bike paths! Another bonus is that it borders Lake Erie."
from $29 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Plenty of fire wood provided and a short distance away from the gorge to walk. The second night had lots of coyotes around, which is cool but can be dangerous if not careful of course."
"Would have given this site 5 stars but the walk to the site was a bit more of a haul than expected. It was just myself, kids, and pup."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"While this is a spot in a smaller park with a lot of day use, the site is a walk off of the trail, and situated slightly lower than trail level for privacy. Amazing sounds, smells, and relaxation."
"Great small park with a hiking trail that takes about an hour or hour and a half, it has a waterfall, small tiny cave, bridges and stairs. Really well maintained paths, tiny gravel for less mud."
"Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at West Branch State Park **Campground Review: **
This state park was very welcome after our first two unlucky Ohio state park experiences."
"Here's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming"
from $30 - $52 / night
Check Availability"It's also close to Akron & Cleveland. I was pleasantly surprised at how scenic it is. I expected an urban KOA. This one is in a rural area outside Streetsboro."
"Clean facilities, 3 lakes (one with a fishing pier), 2 dog parks, and super friendly staff. 30 min to Cleveland. Walmart, gas stations and restaurants within 5 miles."
"Most of the trails are small, well-marked, accessible, and easily walkable for families."
"Water close by and port a pottie style bathrooms close to the camp sites. There are flush toilets a walk away but we didn’t use them. Sites are big and grassy but not super level."
"Silver Springs Campground is a small 27 site campground in Stow, Ohio, a convenient 17 minutes from Cuyahoga Valley National Park and a bargain at $18/night for a site with electrical hookups. "
from $15 - $22 / night
Check Availability"Fishing lake, swimming lake, trails. Children play areas. Basketball, bad mitten/volleyball, Dog wash, dog parks (2), private fenced dog sites. (2)- pull through site."
"The kids loved both the pool and the lake. The breakfast pizza was great. The food prices were very reasonable. The wrist band for kid activities is well worth it."
ScoutFishing, boating, clean areas. Nice fire pits, and nice cement pads. Gave 4 instead of 5 stars because the entry gate and shop doesnt always have employees in it. Closes early in day.
TravelerFirst time at a koa. Wasn’t a bad experience but I was there from march thru December instead of getting the season rate they charged me the monthly rate it cost me $3000 extra and I was treated like a seasonal camper had to mow my own grass and take out my own trash so I will not be staying at another koa
TravelerSites are clean with a variety of hook-ups but few are 100% level. It appears to be an older CG. I’m in a 21’ van and tried several sites before one was level enough for me without blocks. Most sites are on the smaller side but FHU sites are okay for larger rigs. Numerous sites are walk-in and popular with tenters, they are very private and you park pretty close and walk up or down an embankment. Potable water and a dump station are available. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Staff is great! Swimming beach is across the lake from the CG and too far to walk for most. Marina is available. Restrooms are nice.
GuideAbsolutely a great spot for large private heavily wooded sites! Only primitive non electric site for roof top campers is C5! Others are park and walk or to small to open up and be comfy. Great cabins and yurts! Clean bathrooms and showers. Everything here is done online from reservation to buying wood and so Ice so prepare for that.
GuideFamily run campground that's been around for 45 years. Small place. Mostly seasonal campers. They have a few walk up tent sights. RTT campers will have to take a back in sight but they will not charge you extra unless you plug into electric. 1 swimming pond, 3 great bass fishing ponds. Nice camp store. Bathrooms are clean.
ScoutWhen we arrived, we checked in at the camp office. The ladies there were very kind. The roads through the campground are wide enough for two-way traffic and nicely paved.
This is a beautiful, heavily treed campground. Even on Memorial Day weekend with lots of people, the park was very peaceful. The sounds of birds permeate the air round the clock. Chipmunks run amok. They’re just so cute.
We booked site 56 for our 39’ fifth wheel. As soon as we pulled up, we knew there was no way we’d fit even though the reservation site said it would accommodate a 40’ rig. The camp hosts happened to be passing by as we were surveying the site. They were very helpful redirecting us to a nearby site that would be more suitable. FYI, sites 55 and 56 have deep culverts on either side. One wrong turn and you’re going to have a problem. The majority of sites along our road were just wide enough to keep the tires out of the dirt, but not wide enough for the stairs to land on asphalt. If you have a motorhome or other wide-bodied rig, like an Alliance Paradigm, I would recommend choosing one of the sites on the loop around the playground. Those are better suited for newer big rigs.
TIP…the line at the dump station is long on the holiday weekends. Plan accordingly.
GuideNice and quiet. Friendly staff. Beautiful campground.
GuidePymatuning Lake Campground is a huge 700 site family oriented campground. Sites are large and clean and your not packed in. Bathrooms and showers are OK but they are clean. Best part of being here is the awesome fishing. Know for huge black crappie, walleye, and small and big mouth bass. This is the place to go fishing.
GuideFirst time here. They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park. Wood is dry and cheap right outside the park entrance. Bass fishing is top notch on the lake. I would definitely come back here again and again.
Camping near Kirtland, Ohio provides access to diverse terrains at elevations between 600-1,200 feet, creating varied camping experiences across seasons. The area experiences distinct four-season weather with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Rainfall can create muddy conditions at certain campgrounds, particularly during the spring months when precipitation averages 3-4 inches monthly.
Disc golf and outdoor sports: Punderson State Park Campground offers multiple recreational facilities. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf," notes Rebecca G., highlighting the variety of sporting options within walking distance of campsites.
Explore historic sites: The area contains several significant historical landmarks within a 30-minute drive of most campgrounds. "It was very fun walking around while learning some of the very old and somewhat creepy history. The lodge/hotel is beautiful and very old," shares Daniel U. about exploring the grounds at Punderson.
Water recreation: Perry Township Park offers direct lake access from campsites. "You are just a stones throw away from Lake Erie, a boat launch, and a private beach," explains Brannon M. The location allows for immediate water access without needing to transport equipment.
Quiet, spacious sites: Hidden Lakes Family Campground provides more room between campsites than many area alternatives. "We stayed over Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed our time there. Even with the holiday weekend, the campground was very quiet. Our site was lakeside and was probably the largest campsite I ever stayed in," shares Greg K.
Lake views: Campers consistently rate the waterfront views as a highlight of the region. "Nice campground within walking distance to Lake Erie. Nice facilities. Quiet and a lot of friendly campers," reports Darrel and Mary W. about their experience at Geneva State Park Campground.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds feature organized programs. "There is an ice cream social held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions Alisa G. about West Branch State Park, noting the regular community events available during peak camping season.
Variable campsite terrain: Many campsites in the area require leveling equipment. "The lots are nice and large. The main problem was very hard to level and soft grass they don't have a well compacted area for your tt/rv," notes Jeffrey L. about Silver Springs Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Some campgrounds offer limited facilities. "Bathrooms are just port-a-johns located on either side of the campground but there are flushable toilets a little walk away," mentions Abbey E. at Silver Springs, highlighting the need to check specific amenities before booking.
Wildlife encounters: The area supports diverse wildlife including coyotes. "There is a very quaint little 'beach' town, Geneva on the Lake, that was within pedaling distance. We rode our bikes to town one night for dinner," shares Bran P., noting accessible dining options near camping areas.
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "Great for fishing. Has pool and pond. Multiple playgrounds," describes Sarah Q. about her experience at Hidden Lakes Family Campground, pointing out the range of activities available specifically for younger campers.
Consider tent site locations: Some sites require hiking to reach. "Site is about a quarter mile from the parking lot so pack light, bring a wagon, and/or be ready for a work out," advises Zachary A. about The West Woods, highlighting accessibility considerations for families with young children.
Check shade availability: Summer temperatures can necessitate shade for comfort. "Been here a few times for day trips first time camping will definitely come back. Pros- lots of sites, lots of flush bathrooms around the camp ground," notes Joe I., adding that "most sites have enough trees that hammock camping would not be an issue."
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling equipment. "The camping spaces for RV's is not the best. 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 about West Branch State Park Campground.
Electric hook-up limitations: Power capacity varies widely between campgrounds. "Only 3-30 amp hooks ups, the rest are 20 amp," mentions Judy F. at Silver Springs Campground, indicating the need to verify electrical requirements in advance.
Consider site sizes and slide-out space: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. "If you have awnings or slides, you will have to be careful about what site you will get or you will not be able to open the slides or your awning," advises Greg A., highlighting the need to check specific site dimensions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kirtland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kirtland, OH offers a wide range of camping options, with 101 campgrounds and RV parks near Kirtland, OH and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Kirtland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kirtland, OH is Punderson State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kirtland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Kirtland, OH.
What parks are near Kirtland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Kirtland, OH that allow camping, notably Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Michael J Kirwan Lake.
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