Best Campgrounds near Sandy Lake, PA

Sandy Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Sandy Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Pennsylvania camping adventure.

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Mercer-Grove City KOA

Mercer-Grove City KOA

16 min away

Quiet and Secluded

Quiet and Secluded

24 min away

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Best Camping Sites Near Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania (123)

    1. Goddard Park Vacationland Campground

    9 Reviews
    Petersburg, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 253-4645

    $35 - $175 / night

    2. Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest

    13 Reviews
    Boyers, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 735-2417

    3. Mercer-Grove City KOA

    9 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 748-3160

    "It’s close to the outlets and Keystone Safari. They have a fishing pond but I haven’t walked over and seen it. It’s across the street of the KOA so you could miss it if you don’t ask about it."

    "Close to where we live so it's an easy drive and a great start to the season to shake out anything that may not be working since bringing de-winterizing our camper."

    4. Shenango Campground

    15 Reviews
    Transfer, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 646-1124

    $18 - $34 / 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. Starr Farm

    1 Review
    Polk, PA
    7 miles
    +1 (412) 628-0118

    $50 / night

    "This campsite was close to an archery tournament for me. It is a huge campsite that is remote and peaceful. I will try to get this place again next year."

    6. Adventure Bound Shenango Valley

    5 Reviews
    Transfer, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 962-9800

    $57 - $67 / night

    "We stayed here as it was close to my work. We love being weekend warriors and this place is great for us. The season tenants were incredibly kind and you can tell they take care of this campground."

    "Plenty of shaded, private lots, and great lots by playground to let kids roam and still watch from a distance. All sites full hookup."

    7. Rocky Springs Campground

    4 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 662-1568

    "This beautifully tree-filled campground is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely quiet, warm, and friendly."

    "Gated entrance for security; very safe area in the middle of Amish country:closest businesses are an Amish-run nursery and a fruit/vegetable stand."

    8. RV Village Camping Resort

    2 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 662-4560

    "I highly recommend this campground to anyone that loves to be around a lot of friendly people. We are going to make this our most favorite spot in western Pa."

    "The resort is golf cart friendly and that’s how most get around. The daily sites are a bit tight which lends to noisy evenings past quiet hours."

    9. Quiet and Secluded

    3 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    15 miles
    +1 (724) 301-6949

    $22 - $75 / night

    10. Pymatuning State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Andover, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (440) 293-6684

    $27 - $29 / night

    "We love being near the water when camping and at Pymatuning most if not all sites have views of the beautiful lake and the Pennsylvania shoreline across the lake."

    "We camped on the Ohio side of the lake but spent several hours on the Pennsylvania feeding the HUGE schools of carp at the spillway."

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Showing results 1-10 of 123 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Sandy Lake, PA

461 Reviews of 123 Sandy Lake Campgrounds


  • Bettina A.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Bear Run Campground

    Options.

    This is an amazing campground with reasonable prices, an array of camping options to suit different camping needs as well as budget range. I am unsure if I just happen to have gotten lucky and decided to go camping during a special weekend, but it’s Labor Day weekend and I am loving that there is a calendar of events for campers to participate in if they choose to. Activities include wagon rides to the lake, talent show, karaoke…etc, as well as church! This was an unexpected gem as we are from Florida and were blessed enough to stumble upon the right person in a parking lot when my husband asked if they knew of any places that we could possibly camp at nearby and that gentleman told us about Moraine Park. Upon making our way out to here, we found Bear Run and have loved our experience so far. Love it!

  • Don H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Shenango Campground

    Great camping

    Great place to camp. Beautiful lake and wonderful people.

  • S
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground

    Great community

    When I first got here the 2 owners went above and beyond in so many ways. Unfortunately they didn’t have a 50 amp site available so the owner gave me 30 amp converter at no cost and also helped me hook up my gray water and black water connections. They keep the area pristine and welcome everyone as if they are family.

  • Sienna L.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    Great Getway

    This campground was great! Throughout the week in the summer it is pretty quiet. Very close to the fire tower and other things to see around it. The Knotty Pine bar and restaurant was right down the road and had great food and drink.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Wolfs Camping Resort

    Absolutely beautiful

    Super friendly staff, great location. stocked lake with catch and release fishing. Loved it.

    Stayed in May 2017

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Quiet and Secluded

    Lovely Stay at Quiet and Secluded

    Rolled up on the later side but was welcomed kindly by the owner Bill. Beautiful spot. Clean amenities!

  • L
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Follys End Campground

    Great No Frills Camp!

    This place has an old time feel that me of good times past. The sites are generally spacious, and are gravel based. The driveway to the camp seemed to be recently paved. The owner is very friendly and is on site. Camp office was geared towards fishing but was very interesting. Bathrooms were clean and the grounds looked good. Was very quiet at night and generally even on the weekend. I have not seen prices this low before. Definitely will be back to try the trout fishing!

    Pet friendly, propane available, WiFi available near office, AT&T service good, Large stream runs along the property, and it was a nice hike up it!

  • D
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Presque Isle Passage RV Park

    Good campground

    3 day stay. Clean, nice, stuff for kids. Room for big rigs, and tents. Yurts and cabins available.

  • Brian M.
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Presque Isle Passage RV Park

    Not a Campground at all

    Has to be the worst campground in Erie county, time worked stuck back in the 90s terrible terrible management got confrontation when I brought up issues that needed addressed. Very eager and quick to blame past employees? Speaking to others that claim past employees were the only reason they came and now Things have changed to where they are never gonna come back. Do yourself a favor. Your time is precious. Don’t waste your time or money here.


Guide to Sandy Lake

Camping near Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are many trails nearby, perfect for exploring. Campers at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "There are really great hikes around the area and the lake is lovely!"
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, the lakes around the campgrounds are great spots. One visitor at Pymatuning State Park Campground said, "We love being near the water when camping and at Pymatuning most if not all sites have views of the beautiful lake."
  • Kayaking and Boating: Many campgrounds have access to lakes for kayaking or boating. A reviewer at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground noted, "The lake was great for kayaking and paddleboarding."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. A visitor at West Branch State Park Campground shared, "The facilities were clean. The campground was quiet as much as can be expected."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campers enjoy the roomy sites. One reviewer at Cook Forest State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are large and it's nice to have options of sunny, grassy, shaded or wooded sites to choose from."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Clear Creek State Park Campground are noted for being great for families. A camper said, "This is truly one of my favorite state parks to camp at. The whole campground is mostly wooded with hardly a bad site."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially on weekends. A camper at Mill Creek Camping — Berlin Lake Wildlife Area remarked, "It gets loud and crowded on the weekend as usual."
  • Site Conditions: Not all sites are level, so check before booking. A visitor at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground noted, "The electric sites are very close together. We were in F4 and it was huge."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have stores or markets nearby. A camper at Tomlinson Run State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp store staff were all very friendly and helpful, but it has limited supplies."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campsite: Look for sites that are spacious and have nearby activities. A camper at Punderson State Park Campground said, "Beautiful wooded sites with lots to do for the family."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Geneva State Park Campground shared, "We love the small campers beach near site 160."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep everyone happy. A camper at Pymatuning State Park Campground noted, "There are quaint Amish shopping nearby."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Punderson State Park Campground mentioned, "Make sure you check pictures of the sites to see if they will accommodate your rig/tent."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A camper at Clear Creek State Park Campground said, "There’s no camp store in the campground, who is something they could improve upon."
  • Be Prepared for Bugs: Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially near water. A visitor at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground advised, "There were lots of mosquitoes so be prepared to bring bug spray!"

Camping near Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for family fun or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are RV rentals available at Sandy Lake campgrounds in Pennsylvania?

RV rentals are generally not available directly at Sandy Lake campgrounds. However, the nearby The Great Outdoors Family Campground and Mercer-Grove City KOA may offer rental options or can direct you to local RV rental companies. Most campers in this region bring their own RVs, as the western Pennsylvania camping areas are well-equipped for RV camping with many sites offering full hookups. If you're looking to rent an RV, your best bet is to arrange a rental from a company in Pittsburgh or Erie before traveling to Sandy Lake.

Where is Sandy Lake Campground located in Pennsylvania?

Sandy Lake is located in western Pennsylvania, in Mercer County. The Sandy Lake area is nestled between larger recreation areas like Shenango Campground to the south and Pymatuning State Park Campground to the northwest. The region is about 12 miles north of Interstate 80, making it relatively accessible for travelers. This area of Pennsylvania offers beautiful lakeside camping opportunities with proximity to the Pennsylvania-Ohio border, making it a convenient destination for visitors from both states.

What amenities are offered at Goddard Park Vacationland Campground in Sandy Lake?

Goddard Park Vacationland Campground offers a comprehensive set of amenities for campers. The campground features reservable sites with water access, flushing toilets, and is big-rig friendly for larger RVs. Facilities include both boat-in and drive-in access options, making it convenient for water enthusiasts. The campground provides water hookups and typical camping facilities like fire rings and picnic tables. For recreation, visitors can enjoy the nearby lake for boating, fishing, and swimming activities. The location near Sandy Lake provides beautiful natural surroundings while still offering the conveniences needed for a comfortable camping experience.