Camping spots near North East, Pennsylvania offer lakeside sites with direct access to fishing, swimming, and boating on Lake Erie. The region transitions between lake plains and the foothills of the Allegheny Plateau, with elevations ranging from 573 feet at lake level to over 1,000 feet inland. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler evenings near the water.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Lampe Marina Campground provides direct access to Presque Isle Bay for fishing. "Lake Erie has the best sunsets east of the Mississippi lots of things to do from fishing for walleye or perch or just out on a watercraft," notes camper Jim L.
Sunset and sunrise viewing: Make time to watch the sky change colors over the lake. "We came for a quick visit and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Large spaces and easy access to the pier," writes Joelle V. about Lampe Marina Campground.
Beach relaxation: Sara's Campground features beachfront sites. "Having a camp site right on the lake makes for a great day of activities. Being right outside of the Isle, gives you access to kayaking, fishing, biking the amusement park, and a ton of other activities," according to Eric W.
Biking trails: Access the Peninsula trail system from several local campgrounds. "There is a bike trail that loops presque isle that starts in front of sarah's," mentions Rich E. about Sara's Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Westfield-Lake Erie KOA receives praise for its lake views. "There are sites in this section that have a partial view of the lake, but they looked like seasonal sites. All the sites looked well cared for," mentions Cynthia K.
Clean facilities: Modern, well-maintained restrooms are frequently mentioned in reviews. "The bathroom/shower house are duel toilet/showers. Not my favorite, but we didn't have any trouble getting in," notes a camper at Westfield-Lake Erie KOA.
Level sites: Lake Erie State Park Campground offers properly graded camping spots. "The campground was busy, but not over-crowded. The campground itself is well maintained and the shower houses are clean," writes Brian P., adding that "there are tent and RV sites available, with 15/30/50 amp electric service."
Star viewing: Clear nights offer exceptional star gazing opportunities. "Night sky was perfect for viewing stars!" reports John P. about Chautauqua Lake KOA.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some lakeside campgrounds experience traffic noise. "I-90 abuts the back of the property so you can hear semi trucks all night long, and there also seemed to be freight trains going through nearby with some regularity," explains Cyndi B. about Westfield-Lake Erie KOA.
Beach conditions: Lake Erie beaches often have natural debris. "For those considering camping, be aware this is not a white sand beach, it does have some rocks and drift wood that wash up. And also be aware of sand getting in your tent," warns Eric W. about Sara's Campground.
Site spacing: Several campgrounds have tight quarters. "Campground is across a really busy street, beyond a nightmarishly busy lot of snack shacks, drive throughs, and pizza joints. Beyond that there are three or four back to back lines of sites that are basically on top of each other," writes one reviewer about Sara's Campground.
Water access: Family Affair Campground has limited overnight spaces. "Over nights sights are tight to get in and hookups are shared nice stocked fising lake pool is ok," notes Rich E.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Campgrounds with play areas keep children entertained. "The kids loved the playground and the pool was very clean. The campground is spaced out nicely. Lots of room, did not feel stacked on our neighbor," reports Ryan L. about Westfield-Lake Erie KOA.
Amusement park proximity: "If you have kids this is a great place. Water park right next door," notes Kelly B. about Sara's Campground, making it ideal for families wanting entertainment options beyond camping.
Wildlife watching opportunities: Lake Erie State Park offers nature encounters. "We saw lots of wildlife (black squirrels, rabbits and birds)," writes Donna A., adding "there is comfortable space between each campsite in most cases plus lots of trees for shade."
Swimming options: When choosing a campground for swimming, note that not all waterfront sites have swim access. "There is no access to areas where you can swim/let dogs swim, but it's a short walk to a pier if you like to fish," explains Hannah S. about Lampe Marina.
Tips from RVers
Electric service types: Chautauqua Lake KOA offers full hookups with various electric options. "The sites are HUGE, plenty of space for our 30' TT, truck, and screen house," says John P., who appreciated the spacious layout.
Hook-up positioning: Some sites require extra cords or careful parking. "We have a very long travel trailer (37.5 feet). I recommend having an extension power cord handy just in case if you are this long. I was able to angle my truck as I needed a few more feet to reach the pedestal," advises Ryan L.
Multiple dump stations: For efficient departures, Lampe Marina gets high marks. "FYI - several dump stations so no waiting!" notes Joelle V.
Paved vs. grass sites: Different campgrounds offer various surface types. "Nice level paved spots. It's a small campground but the spots are spacious," writes Hannah S. about Lampe Marina, while other nearby campgrounds feature grassy sites.
