Lake Erie's shoreline and the nearby Cuyahoga Valley influence the climate and camping options around Willoughby, Ohio. The area sits at approximately 650 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F. Campgrounds in this region operate primarily from April through October due to the cold Ohio winters, with many sites requiring advance booking 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes for varied fishing experiences across different campgrounds. At Hidden Lakes Family Campground, visitors enjoy both fishing and non-motorized boating: "We brought our canoe and enjoyed fishing and just cruising around. Lots are large and campers purposefully spaced out."
Water activities: Swimming in lakes or pools available at several RV parks near Willoughby. Roundup Lake RV Resort features "a sizable lake which boasts inflatables as well as enough room for self-propelled water crafts (i.e. kayaks, paddleboards, etc)," though one camper notes "goose landmine dodging is also a sport for families who stay here."
Hiking trails: Several nearby parks offer trails for various skill levels. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges Quarry Park provides "various levels of short trails that are well marked to get through the natural ledges, caves, and water features" with "only one steep hill to climb and it wasn't bad at all."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomier sites than typical parks. At Kenisee's Grand River Campground, campers appreciate the community feel: "It's a great place with a lot of events and entertainment for family's. Multiple fishing ponds, Friday night bingo, bands, fishing tournament for kids, duck race, Christmas in July and many other activities."
Organized activities: Scheduled events enhance the camping experience across several parks. The Farm at Grand River offers "free movie nights under stars" and "play grounds and play houses" that "kept [children] busy for hours," according to recent visitors.
Privacy options: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. Punderson State Park Campground has "a good amount of secluded and shaded sites" and "really cool 'hill' sites that you have to hike up or down 20-100 feet to your wooded site," making them ideal for campers seeking space from neighbors.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Levelness and size vary widely between campgrounds and sites. "The sites greatly vary 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," notes one camper at Punderson State Park Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most RV campgrounds near Willoughby operate only during warmer months. Indian Creek RV Resort (also known as Sun Retreats Geneva on the Lake) runs from May 1 to October 15, typical for the region.
Firewood restrictions: Some campgrounds enforce strict outside firewood policies. Hidden Lakes "don't allow outside firewood and you have to pay $12 a bundle for theirs. This adds some cost to the stay, though I'm not sure how much they enforce it."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's activities. Kenisee's Grand River Campground offers "fishing tournament for kids, duck race, Christmas in July and many other activities," with "very clean bathrooms and showers."
Swimming options: Pools and swimming areas provide relief on hot days. Hidden Lakes Family Campground has both "a pool and pond" plus "multiple playgrounds" making it "great fun for families."
Animal experiences: Some campgrounds offer unique interactions with farm animals. At The Farm at Grand River, one visitor reported their "6 year old daughter lived her farm animal dream life for a week! My daughter loved the free movie nights under stars, running wild with the goats."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies by location and provider. At Thousand Trails Kenisee Lake, one RVer noted it's "a wonderful place to work from remotely if you have an external antenna to cellular internet," suggesting standard service may be limited.
Road conditions: Prepare for varied surfaces at RV campgrounds near Willoughby. Hidden Lakes has "roads mostly dirt and dusty" which "was worse when it rained and everything was muddy when we were trying to leave."
Site selection strategy: Research specific site characteristics before booking. At Roundup Lake RV Resort, campers recommend lakeside spots: "We stayed in a 33' TT in a pull through site. Sites are close but shady and large enough for trailer and our truck."
