Best Campgrounds near Youngstown, OH

State parks and recreation areas within an hour of Youngstown, Ohio provide a variety of camping experiences centered around lakes and reservoirs. West Branch State Park Campground, located 20 miles west of Youngstown near Wayland, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts alongside Kirwan Reservoir. Mosquito Lake State Park Campground in Cortland features waterfront sites with varying levels of privacy and a mix of open and wooded terrain. Closer to town, Youngstown ARS FamCamp provides a small but well-maintained RV park with 15 sites adjacent to the Youngstown Regional Airport. The Ohio-Pennsylvania border area includes additional options like Pymatuning State Park and Shenango Campground, both offering water-based recreation opportunities.

Reservations are essential during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly, particularly at West Branch State Park. According to one camper, "West Branch is one of the best-known family campgrounds in NE Ohio. Be sure to book early as spots fill up often." Most state park campgrounds in the region maintain clean facilities with shower houses, though amenities vary considerably between locations. Cell service can be spotty, with T-Mobile coverage noted as weak at several parks. Weather conditions remain relatively mild from May through October, with occasional summer thunderstorms. Winter camping is available at select locations like West Branch, though with reduced services. Many campgrounds close or operate with limited facilities from November through April.

Lakefront camping dominates the region's offerings, with fishing, boating, and swimming available at most locations. Campers frequently mention the quality of waterfront sites at Mosquito Lake, where "the site was spacious, but not as private as some others." Pymatuning State Park receives praise for its lake views and wildlife watching opportunities, including bald eagles and various bird species. Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with West Branch described as busy with boat traffic during summer days but quieter at night. The Youngstown ARS FamCamp offers a more peaceful setting, with one visitor noting it's "pretty quiet, probably more air traffic when it's warmer as it's mostly private planes at the actual airport." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, beaches, and hiking trails are common at the state parks.

Best Camping Sites Near Youngstown, Ohio (136)

    1. West Branch State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Ravenna, OH
    25 miles
    Website

    "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"

    2. Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Sharpsville, OH
    7 miles
    Website

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Our family really enjoyed staying here, and our kids especially loved swimming and fishing in the lake. In the evening, we bought some firewood from the campground owners for our bonfire."

    "The only downside for us is that we're full-time and this is close to "home." We don't really use the amenities, so we can't validate having to pay for anyone to visit us only at our rv."

    3. Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area

    22 Reviews
    Berlin Center, OH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 547-8180

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Lots of playgrounds and you can access the lake for swimming and fishing from just about anywhere. The sites are well spaced and feel private, until you get closer to the lake."

    "The people next to us parked their boat right behind their site. We even seen a doe and 2 fawn right here at our site!"

    4. Shenango Campground

    14 Reviews
    Transfer, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 646-1124

    $24 - $38 / night

    "The Shenango Recreation Area is a large campground with some 300 plus sites located on a lake in western Pennsylvania. Access to the campground is fairly easy and about 12 miles north of I-80."

    "Most spaces are shaded and if not on the water, close to the water. We took kayaks - endless places to put into the water including from many sites. Easy 1.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh."

    5. Mosquito Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Cortland, OH
    21 miles
    Website

    "This park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are some what private. There are many trails and even a fog park next to the lake."

    "The group next to us seemed a little rowdy when we first pulled in, but by 10:00 there was no noise anywhere near us. "

    6. Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground

    2 Reviews
    Struthers, OH
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 330-1901

    $35 / night

    "My first camping location and review. Camping in a tree farm has been cool!

    I called the number listed and left a message. See the friendly manager walking the farm."

    7. KOA Lake Milton Berlin Lake

    8 Reviews
    Lake Milton, OH
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 538-2194

    "My 2 boys had so much fun at the lake and the playground and the bounce pad ect ect! The owners and all the staff were extremely friendly and helpful and always around interacting with the guests."

    "Very nice lake and inflatables in swim area. Good fishing lake as well. Lake milton is a jump down the road for boating."

    8. Not Available

    1 Review
    Youngstown, OH
    2 miles

    $5 - $35 / night

    9. Youngstown ARS FamCamp

    1 Review
    Cortland, OH
    12 miles
    +1 (330) 609-1501

    $12 - $15 / night

    "Thankfully Youngstown, Ohio isn't really a vacation destination. Only 5 Sites are full hookup. The rest are water/ electric. It's attached to the Youngstown Regional Airport."

    10. Beaver Creek State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Negley, OH
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 385-3091

    $18 - $50 / night

    "Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe. "

    "direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park"

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Showing results 1-10 of 136 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Youngstown, OH

714 Reviews of 136 Youngstown Campgrounds



Guide to Youngstown

Camping near Youngstown, Ohio, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Nice stretch of forest...great views, trails for different skill levels."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Pymatuning State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A visitor noted, "Beautiful lake on the Ohio/PA border...clean bathrooms/showers."
  • Playgrounds and Beaches: Families will love the playgrounds and small beaches at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground. One camper shared, "Great showerhouses and very nice playground."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. A review for West Branch State Park Campground stated, "The facilities were clean...the campground was quiet."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A visitor at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp sites were fairly spacious and level."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One review for Silver Springs Campground noted, "The campground attendant was a very friendly man who asked several times if we had questions about the area."

What you should know

  • Site Variability: Not all sites are the same. A camper at Geneva State Park Campground pointed out, "Not all campsites are the same...some areas are closer together."
  • Weather Considerations: Be prepared for rain. A visitor at Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA shared, "Our tent leaked horribly bad...we had to pack up and leave."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A review for Tomlinson Run State Park Campground mentioned, "Facilities are older but well kept."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One family at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground enjoyed, "We rented a motor boat and paddleboard...had a beautiful large area to set up two tents."
  • Pack for Rain: Always have rain gear handy. A camper at Punderson State Park Campground advised, "There were lots of mosquitoes so be prepared to bring bug spray!"
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. A visitor at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground noted, "There were numerous playgrounds and activities for kids."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to check the level of your site. A review for Pymatuning State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites seemed pretty level from side to side."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A camper at Silver Springs Campground said, "The campground can get very muddy during the wet season."
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations. A visitor at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Dump station has 2 lanes which was nice when checking out."

Camping around Youngstown, Ohio, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Youngstown, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Youngstown, OH is West Branch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 67 reviews.

What parks are near Youngstown, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Youngstown, OH that allow camping, notably Michael J Kirwan Lake and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.