Orwell, Ohio sits at the western edge of Ashtabula County, near the convergence of several waterways. The area features rolling terrain with elevations around 900-1,000 feet above sea level. Camp options near Orwell range from lakeside tent sites to premium yurt camping with seasonal availability typically running April through October, when average temperatures range from 45-80°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mosquito Lake State Park Campground offers extensive shoreline access for anglers. "The sites are huge. The dog park is amazing. Theres so much to do here. Swimming, boating, fishing. We love it," notes Courtney C. Sites provide direct lake access with ample room for fishing gear.
Archery practice: West Branch State Park Campground maintains an archery range for visitors looking to practice their skills. "We like to bring our bows and use the archery range," shares Karen D. The park provides multiple recreational options beyond water activities.
Disc golf courses: Several parks maintain disc golf courses for visitors. "Opportunities for disc golf, archery range, canoing/kayaking/row boats, swimming," mentions Rebecca G. about Punderson State Park. The courses accommodate various skill levels with multiple tee positions.
Kayaking waterways: The region's interconnected lakes provide numerous paddling routes. "Great lake to take the kayaks on," says Linda R. about Mosquito Lake. Launch points exist at most waterfront campsites, allowing direct access without transportation to separate boat launches.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Mosquito Lake State Park Campground receives praise for its generous site dimensions. "The site was huge. We didn't have water access but they had plenty of sites with access and a boat ramp," reports Darren R. Waterfront sites typically measure 40-60 feet in depth.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained restroom buildings. "Great park! Sites are spacious and level. Very clean park," writes Heidi B. Most campgrounds feature recently renovated shower facilities with hot water and adequate pressure.
Yurt camping options: The Farm at Grand River offers premium yurt camping near Orwell, Ohio with unique farm-based experiences. "The hosts were so accommodating. My daughter loved the free movie nights under stars, running wild with the goats, and the play grounds and play houses kept her busy for hours," shares Hillz M. Yurts feature comfortable furnishings and electricity.
Weekend entertainment: Several parks organize regular activities for guests. "Concert every Saturday during the summer," mentions Linda R. about Mosquito Lake. These programs typically run Memorial Day through Labor Day, with additional special events on holiday weekends.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Punderson State Park Campground requires careful site selection due to terrain variations. "The lots are not even close the 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," warns Coy. Reserve early for prime, level sites.
Seasonal water conditions: Lake conditions change throughout the season. "The algae was kind of thick, which made fishing impossible, so we stopped bringing the kayak," notes Rose S. Algae blooms typically occur during July-August when temperatures peak.
Bathroom distribution: Facilities may not be evenly distributed. "Only bad are no real bathrooms except at the front of the park. No place to wash dishes. Rough if you're tent camping," explains Courtney C. about Mosquito Lake. Pack portable washing equipment if staying at remote sites.
Limited hookup availability: Many sites offer electric only or no hookups. "Very few full hookups. Rest of the sites only have 15-20 amp service," mentions Coy about Punderson State Park. Reserve specialized sites 3-6 months ahead during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming options: Jamestown Campground — Pymatuning State Park offers designated swimming areas. "Fantastic campground for biking, swimming, boating, and having a peaceful getaway," writes Leah L. The swimming beach includes a roped-off shallow section for younger children with gradual entry.
Nature playgrounds: Several parks feature unique play structures. "If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground and nets provided to catch critters," shares Joe F. These natural play areas typically include environmental education elements.
Farm animal experiences: Yurt camping near Orwell at The Farm at Grand River provides unique animal interactions. "The eggs were delicious, I spent time by the fire, in a hammock, and soaking up the sunshine," says Hillz M. Children can help with supervised animal feeding sessions during morning hours.
Movie nights: Family-friendly film screenings occur at select campgrounds. "Will do movie nights on the weekends," notes Karen D. about West Branch State Park. Films typically start at dusk with seating on open grass areas.
Tips from RVers
Utility challenges: Kool Lakes Family RV Park provides practical dump station access. "The park has no paved roads and their dump station is not state of the art like some state parks, but works fine as I washed out tanks thoroughly and even treated both tanks w no pressure," explains Joe F. The station accommodates one rig at a time.
Level site selection: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches," shares Andrea F. about West Branch State Park. Pack extra leveling blocks when visiting hillier campgrounds.
Site size variation: Research exact dimensions before booking. "The sites greatly very on size and flatness so make sure you look at the pictures of the site before you book some are basically the parking pad and a fire ring, some are big and flat some are on a incline," advises Joe I. about Punderson State Park.
Water fill logistics: Some water fill stations present challenges. "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," notes Andrea F. Top off tanks before final positioning at sites with known water issues.
