Camping near Novelty, OH

Camping spots near Novelty, Ohio offer varied terrain across the glacial landscape of northeast Ohio, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold winters, creating a diverse camping calendar. Most campgrounds in the region are nestled among deciduous forests with maple, oak, and beech trees providing natural shade.

What to Do

Fishing opportunities: West Branch State Park Campground features multiple fishing spots along Kirwan Reservoir. "There are many inlets to explore or fish. There is a boat launch at the campground," notes a visitor who returns annually to West Branch State Park Campground.

Disc golf courses: Punderson State Park Campground maintains a full disc golf course among its recreational offerings. One camper mentioned, "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoeing/kayaking/row boats, swimming (no lifeguard) and golf" as activities available at the park.

Hiking trail networks: The West Woods park system offers varied terrain for day hikes. "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," reports a visitor.

Christmas tree farm camping: For a unique experience, Heritage Farms offers camping within their working Christmas tree farm. A camper described the experience: "It's hard to not give it any lower than 5 stars when you literally camp within a Christmas tree farm. It's a dream."

What Campers Like

Privacy levels: Campsite separation varies significantly between locations, with West Branch State Park Campground earning praise for spacious sites. "West Branch has private, spacious, shady sites. We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite," mentions one regular visitor.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain quality bathrooms despite heavy use. A camper at Heritage Farms noted, "The porta-potties near the main building make this a great option for those who aren't into fully roughing it. There's also wash-water available."

Lake access: Waterfront sites remain highly sought after, particularly at Roundup Lake RV Resort. "Lake was beautiful tried some fishing. We caught a few little blue gills. Beach looked inviting and lots of fun things for kids of all ages," shares a fall visitor to Roundup Lake RV Resort.

Dog-friendly areas: Several campgrounds feature designated dog areas, with Silver Springs earning special mention. One camper stated, "Fantastic dog park with a swimming beach for dogs only. Fun to watch them play even if you don't have a dog."

What You Should Know

Site terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven ground requiring preparation. At Punderson State Park Campground, a camper warned, "The lots are not even close to level. You will need a lot of blocks to get close to level. Saw one RV with auto levelers with his tire about foot off the ground."

Bathroom variations: Facilities range from modern to primitive depending on location. At Silver Springs Campground, a visitor noted, "Bathrooms are just port-a-johns located on either side of the campground but there are flushable toilets a little walk away."

Limited water access: Several campgrounds lack drinking water onsite. One Heritage Farms camper advised, "No drinking water on site, but there is wash up water & very clean porta potties."

Campsite carry-in requirements: Some locations require equipment to be carried from parking areas. "You park near the front of the campgrounds to check in, and then you are provided wagons to carry your gear to your site," explains a camper at Heritage Farms.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground proximity: Position your campsite near play areas for convenience. A Punderson State Park visitor mentioned, "This is a good campground for families. The sites are pretty far apart and you feel secluded but, at the same time, the bathrooms are close by. There is a lot of hiking and things to do around the area and even a playground for the kiddos."

Beach amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas with varying facilities. "The camper beach was small but nice and clean. We also took the inflatable kayaks out on the lake twice and it was so smooth and clear," reports a visitor at West Branch State Park Campground.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, a camper recalled, "Every night we were visited by raccoons, they stole our trash on the first night but the other nights we kept everything out of their reach. There were fun little raccoon hand prints all over though."

Evening programs: Some campgrounds organize regular social activities. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," notes a repeat visitor to West Branch State Park.

Tips from RVers

Hookup limitations: Electric service varies widely between campgrounds, with many offering only basic connections. At Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA, a traveler reported, "We enjoyed full hookups. Cable was better than most but WiFi could be a little weak. Curb trash pickup is always a little plus."

Access routes: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads requiring caution. A visitor to Punderson observed, "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."

Water filling challenges: Pay attention to water station positioning when refilling. One RV camper at West Branch noted, "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. This was okay for a short weekend but not good planning from whoever designed the park."