Beaver Creek State Park Campground sits about 40 miles west of Pittsburgh, near East Liverpool, Ohio. The 2,722-acre park features primitive camping options with both family and equestrian sites available throughout the year. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Catch bass in Beaver Creek's waterways within the park. "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" shares Mike T. about his experience at Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Visit the pioneer village near the park office to experience the area's history. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," notes Shay D.
Hiking access: Connect directly to the North Country National Scenic Trail from the campground for extensive hiking. "Direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park," reports Tracy H. Hikers at Moraine State Park can access the trail's Adirondack shelter for backpacking overnight stays.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: The campground offers large sites with good separation in certain areas. "We camped this past weekend in site 50. It is an unbelievably spacious site under towering pine trees. The site sits back off the road and really makes you feel like you have the place to yourself," describes Matt H.
Dark night skies: Campers can observe stars without city light pollution at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" explains Matt H.
Free camping options: For budget-conscious travelers, some nearby forests offer no-cost camping. "Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore. Very quiet everytime I've camped there," reports Joe W. about Hidden Hollow Campground.
What you should know
Limited water access: Several campgrounds in the region have restricted water supply. "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!" warns Bounding Around about Beaver Creek.
Primitive facilities: Most equestrian camping sites near Pittsburgh feature basic amenities. "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites," notes Eddie at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground.
Trail conditions: Some hiking paths require maintenance in certain seasons. "Very over grown and difficult to follow the trails, but overall we were able to hike for about 3 hours without running into anyone else," shares Shay D.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for easier child entertainment. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," recommends Matt H.
Site selection for tents: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects comfort. "The majority of the campsites are also so hilly that you can't put a tent up on a flat spot. We ended up sliding downhill all night because the space we rented was on a hill," cautions Alex S. from Jefferson Lake.
Nearby fishing spots: Look for campgrounds with easy fishing access for kids. "The creek that runs through the area is beautiful and there were many people fishing along the way," mentions Shay D. about Beaver Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Tight turns: Be prepared for navigation challenges in some parks. "Any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters," warns Aaron B. about Beaver Creek's pine tree sites.
Road restrictions: Watch for vehicle limitations on certain park roads. "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!" advises Bounding Around.
Electrical hookup placement: Check the distance between the pad and electrical outlets. "Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord," notes Eddie about Jefferson Lake State Park.
