The Sharpsville area borders the Shenango River Lake, a 3,500-acre reservoir with 23 miles of shoreline at an elevation of 894 feet. Most campgrounds near Sharpsville operate seasonally between April and October due to Pennsylvania's cold winters with average January temperatures below 30°F. Local sites range from state-run facilities to private campgrounds with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Shenango Campground offers access to Shenango River Lake where multiple species can be caught. "We saw big Blue Herons, Oriels, Robins, and lot's of little song birds. There are some groundhogs there too. The lake is big and you can boat, fish, kayak & canoe in it," notes one camper.
Swimming options: At Roundup Lake RV Resort, facilities include a swimming lake with inflatables during summer months. "Beach looked inviting and lots of fun things for kids of all ages it was early October so it wasn't open," mentions a visitor, highlighting the seasonal nature of water activities.
Miniature golf: Several campgrounds provide on-site activities like mini-golf courses for family entertainment. At Sun Retreats Geneva on the Lake, "We enjoyed their beautiful put-put course and ice cream stand," according to one reviewer who appreciated these additional recreational options.
What campers like
Lake access sites: Rocky Springs Campground offers peaceful settings in a wooded environment. "This beautifully tree-filled campground is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely quiet, warm, and friendly. They have many seasonal sites that are well maintained, and several open spaces for short-term stays," reports a camper.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom cleanliness as a deciding factor in their stay quality. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, "Bathrooms were clean if a bit unique with a rope and pulley system of water delivery to the shower head," notes one visitor describing the distinctive shower setup.
Spacious sites: Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Level gravel sites with really great grassy areas. We stayed memorial weekend and it was quiet by 9 every night. They do a great job keeping the park looking beautiful," comments a satisfied guest.
What you should know
GPS navigation issues: Several campgrounds recommend using their specific directions rather than GPS, which can route RVs down problematic roads. As one camper at Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground mentioned, "It's also really easy to get to from Interstate 80."
Seasonal activities: Most rv parks in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania area host scheduled events during peak season. At Kenisee's Grand River Campground, "Multiple fishing ponds, Friday night bingo, bands, fishing tournament for kids, duck race, Christmas in July and many other activities," according to a seasonal camper.
Reservation requirements: Particularly during summer weekends, advanced booking is essential. "We got our spot from late July till they close in October," noted a camper at Rocky Springs Campground who secured longer-term arrangements when needed.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting a site at Sharpsville area campgrounds, consider proximity to play areas. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, "Our family really enjoyed staying here, and our kids especially loved swimming and fishing in the lake," with additional mention of convenient bathroom placement: "We were really happy that the bathrooms were close to the tenting area."
Scheduled activities: Kool Lakes Family RV Park provides entertainment options for children. "This very family orientated campground has a gravel road system connecting a ton of camp spots, RV locations, mobile homes, a playground, a swimming lake, and a even a fishing lake. The ground itself is huge, so kids can have fun and run around with other kids in nearby sections of the campgrounds," explains a visitor.
Fishing opportunities for children: Multiple locations offer fishing that's accessible for young anglers. One visitor to Kool Lakes Family RV Park shared: "Our kids age 4 and 8 fished from sun up Saturday to about noon and then sporadically after that throughout the day. That night we hunted large bull frogs. All catch and release."
Tips from RVers
Cell service considerations: Internet connectivity varies significantly between rv parks near Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. At Thousand Trails Kenisee Lake, one working camper advised, "Kenisee Lake RV Campground is a wonderful place to work from remotely if you have an external antenna to cellular internet."
Site selection for large rigs: Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground accommodates bigger motorhomes. "Despite the fact that it's not our normal kind of camping, in the woods, it was very comfortable. It does not feel crowded, sites were grassy and all utilities worked well," notes a visitor who initially preferred forest camping but found the open sites suitable.
Dump station logistics: When planning departure, factor in time for sanitation procedures at facilities with limited dump stations. At Shenango Campground, "There's also a two-lane dump station located near the entrance but there is no potable water," warns a reviewer who discovered this limitation during their stay.