Camping options near New Wilmington, Pennsylvania extend throughout the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania where elevations average 1,100 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights around 45-55°F. Winter camping is limited as most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October.
What to do
Fishing at Shenango Lake: Shenango Recreation Area offers excellent fishing opportunities with multiple access points along the shoreline. "Great place to camp, fish, boat, and do much more. I love the fact that you can tie your boat or wave runner right at most of the sites," notes Jim L. at Shenango Rec Area.
Trail hiking near McConnells Mill: The natural gorge and woodland trails provide scenic hiking within minutes of several campgrounds. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," writes Britt B. about her experience at Breakneck Campground.
Swimming pools and recreation: Many private campgrounds maintain on-site pools and recreational facilities. A camper at Bear Run noted: "This campground is deceptively big! The nightly RV sites are close to the park entrance and are relatively flat. The campground hosts themed events, game nights and arts&crafts. There is a swimming pool and playground for the kids."
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature creek access for wading and exploring. "We were right next to the creek, it was super spacious and super private. There's rough terrain so typically these sites are walk in but there wasn't many people so they allowed us to take our truck which was very convenient," shares Taylor S. about primitive camping at Breakneck Campground.
What campers like
Privacy options: Campers appreciate sites with adequate spacing and natural buffers. "Level, wooded sites and clean bathrooms. No area to wash dishes. Lots of space for each sites and trees for shade," reports Kelly F. about Mercer-Grove City KOA.
Themed weekend events: Many campgrounds host special events throughout the season. "Halloween weekends are a great time to visit!" recommends Terra B. about Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping. Another camper detailed: "Halloween Events include Pumpking Carving Contest, Voting On Pumpkins, Campstore Sales, T-Shirts And Apparel (Halloween Versions), Dance Party."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer lakefront or streamside sites. "The lake view loop sites #49, 39 and 31. The Old Duck loop Site #212 is waterfront and has good water access," shares B M. about Shenango Campground, providing specific site recommendations for water-loving campers.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in camper satisfaction. "Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground," states John M. about Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest. This attention to bathroom cleanliness appears consistently in positive reviews.
What you should know
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds have a reputation for evening activities and noise. "I got about 2 hours of sleep Saturday night total, and the last time I was woken up my watch said 3:48 am. Clearly there is absolutely no enforcement of the quiet hours whatsoever," reports Sara K. about weekend stays at Breakneck Campground.
Terrain challenges: The region features rolling hills which can impact site selection. "Nice campground but too hilly for kids to ride bikes," observes Pam O. about Bear Run Campground.
GPS routing issues: Several campers report navigation challenges. "We use both the RV Garmin 890 & RV Trip Wizard and both had us doing some crazy side roads to get into the KOA. Be sure to use the park's directions for an easier drive in," advises Jen O. from Mercer-Grove City KOA.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close for winter. Rocky Springs Campground operates "Apr 15 to Oct 20" while Bear Run Campground runs "Apr 15 to Oct 30," requiring advance planning for early spring or late fall visits.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground provides family-friendly amenities just across the state line in Ohio. "Our family really enjoyed staying here, and our kids especially loved swimming and fishing in the lake," writes Sabrina D., highlighting the recreational options.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled programs keep children entertained. "Plenty of activities for the kids, awesome lasertag course," notes Fred R. about Jellystone at Kozy Rest, identifying specific entertainment options beyond standard playground equipment.
Fishing opportunities: Children often enjoy shoreline fishing at Shenango Lake. "The lake is big and you can boat, fish, kayak & canoe in it. There is a boat launch onsite. There are several playgrounds, lakeside picnic shelter an Amphitheater and a nature trail onsite," explains B M. about Shenango Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Local campgrounds offer wildlife observation opportunities. "We saw big Blue Herons, Oriels, Robins, and lot's of little song birds. There are some groundhogs there too," shares B M. about their stay at Shenango Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Quiet and Secluded offers seven pet-friendly sites that accommodate varying rig sizes. Larger units should request specific sites as some areas have tighter access.
Leveling considerations: RV campers recommend checking site conditions in advance. "They keep up on the gravel and leveling which is always appreciated," notes Clean Slate D. about Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, highlighting an often-overlooked maintenance detail important to RVers.
Hookup options: Most campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. "This has to be one of, if not, the nicest campground in the area. Deb and Jim have really made this place amazing. Most everything including the hookups are brand new," explains Tadd and Justin about Rocky Springs Campground.
Weekend versus weekday stays: For quieter experiences, timing matters. "If we were to stay at this CG again, we'd come during the week and get a dry camping site on the water," advises MickandKarla W. about Shenango Recreation Area, providing strategic timing advice for other RVers.
