Camping in Bear Lake, PA, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Pennsylvania
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Bear Lake

97% (1177 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Bear Lake

Under $50

Top camping destinations

Lake Erie

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Nelson Ledges Quarry Park

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Allegheny National Forest

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Ohiopyle State Park

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Rainbow Falls, the most recognizable waterfall in the park with a different take on composition.

Watkins Glen State Park

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Lodi

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Sunrise over the Grand Canyon of the East

Letchworth State Park

968 campgrounds

The pond is quite large and had a canoe, two kayaks and a paddleboard for us to use

Apple Creek

71 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds near Bear Lake

99%

(69)

Steelhead Run Recreation Area

2 sites · RVs7 acres · Westfield, NY

When arriving at Steelhead Run you are greeted by the sounds of Lake Erie in a tranquil wooded setting. Only steps away from beautiful Lake Erie and Chautauqua Creek. Our location offers an array of experiences from walks along the beach, wildlife viewing, relaxing to the view of incredible sunsets and so much more. Cocktails, food, and public boat launching can be found just half a mile up the road. A quick drive inland, the historic town of Westfield provides weekend farmers markets, wineries, eateries, and antique shopping.

99%

(43)

Camp Bandur

26 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Erie, PA

We enjoy camping and like to share our passion with others.Learn more about this land:This property is a new, up and coming camping oasis. The camping area offers field camping, camping near a quiet stream or in the secluded woods. Any suggestions for improvement are welcome and big plans for attractions are in the not too distant future! All sites are accessible by vehicle.

The Heron Campground

86 sites · RVs, Tents300 acres · Sherman, NY

The Heron is a mindful community, raising conscious vibrations through art, music, farming, education and events while enriching lives and the land. You'll notice a handful of weekends that the campground is closed or would appear fully booked; those may be times that we have ticketed music festivals happening, in which case you can find that information on our main website. For more information on our farm, The Farm Store, and our festivals, visit our main website. Our many camping and lodging options allow families to relax, enjoy nature, and create memories. We have around 100 sites throughout our 300 acres, some woodsy, some with views of the rolling hills and some with electric service. The Heron grounds boast a swimming and fishing pond, and over 4 miles of on-site hiking trails. Located on over 400 acres in beautiful Chautauqua County, NY, we are a working organic farm with a shiitake mushroom yard and on-site farm store. We host educational workshops, captivating music festivals, and much more! We offer many different options for camping, from tent sites nestled in the woods to RV sites with electric hook-ups (electric site reservations are to be made on that specific listing and are limited). We allow pets, all dogs must on a leash 6ft or shorter in length and held by an adult, there is a $20/stay pet fee for pets that can be paid prior to arrival. Beach/Swimming Rules: Two adults 18 or over are required to supervise when there are children swimming. (Even if only one child is present.) No swimming outside of the designated/roped swim area. No watercraft allowed anywhere in the pond. Do not use soap in the water, we have showers! No alcohol, no glass or open containers. On-site Phone is for Emergencies only (located in the beach hut to the left of the beach area). Creating a reservation is your agreement with this rule. Local Attractions: Panama Rocks, Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua Lake Overland Trail (The Westside of Trail) over 35 miles of hiking, Chautauqua Gorge, Audubon Nature Center, Rails to Trails, Ellicottville Brewery, Southern Tier Brewery & Distillery, Lake Erie Wine Trail, and much more! Please contact us with questions and inquiries. Welcome Home!

100%

(7)

River Island Cabin & Campsites

8 sites · Lodging, Tents46 acres · PA

Located on Fuellhart Island, Tidioute, Pennsylvania Allegheny River, Allegheny National Forest, PA Wilds Perfect for kayaking, camping, fishing, tubing - all types of river trips! Go Primitive and book secluded campsites (there is a Treehouse and Canvas Bell Tent options!) Rent the cabin and island privately for your group 46 acres of Private Island on the scenic Allegheny River. PA Wilds, Gameland Access, Allegheny National Forest. We provide: HAMMOCK AND TENT CAMPSITES (view listings) CABIN AND ISLAND RENTALS (Call it a glorified cabin in the woods!) - fully equipped! - non-motorized boat rentals (Angler single kayaks and canoe) - Fishing pole and gear rentals - Tent/Hammocks - Cold Weather Sleeping Bags This is a secluded private island on the Allegheny River. It has been a family property for years and many people have created great memories here. It is great for solo campers wanting a peaceful space, kayakers on river trips, family groups (magic for kids and dogs!) *Tent camping, outdoor shower, fishing, kayaking, groomed trail paths from end to end, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor cooking, firepits, outdoor and indoor seating. Dog friendly! Supreme sunsets and starry nights! Everyone always ends up staying another day if they can get away with it! Arrive by car to our parking area where we will boat you and your gear over to the island campsite. There will be 1 round trip in the motorized john boat per group. Guests are permitted to use the aluminum canoe with lifejackets only to ferry items. PADDLE IN! KAYAKERS/CANOES/MULTI-DAY RIVER TRIP PADDLERS! Arrive by kayak or canoe off the river while you are on a paddle trip. Singles, small groups and large groups. Campsites are PERFECT for Scouts trips, team building trips with kayak rental options. Cabin rentals are great for couples, families, friends, reunions, fishing trips, large groups trips and more! Wildlife photographers must see location!

R Little Homestead

11 sites · RVs, Tents65 acres · Corry, PA

Learn more about this land: We are a working organic homestead with chickens, 2 cows, a calf, ducks, 2 cats, and a mini donkey. We have 40 wooded acres for tent camping and a large spot for RV parking with a potable water hook-up. We also have an outhouse and a pavilion with 2 picnic tables. We are centrally located 30 minutes from the Allegheny National Forest, Lake Erie, PA wine Country, and Peak and Peek resort in Findley Lake, NY.

Bean Can Landing

1 site · RV1 acre · Clymer, NY

A landing perfect for an RV or pull behind trailer. Right off Rt 426 (GPS address is 1999 Rt. 426 Clymer NY) and nestled in between the quaint town of Findley Lake and the Peek n' Peak Ski and Golf Resort. There are no RV hookups or sewer connection, but this is a simple place to pull in and camp for a few nights. Sunsets are amazing and is also a large migratory bird (Canadian Geese) path in the fall time. It is truly a sight to see. Site is ~2000 sq ft (50' long x 40' wide) and can comfortably handle a larger RV and/or trailer.

Chappel Hill Tree Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents140 acres · Grand Valley, PA

This 140-acre property is an old farmstead last farmed in the 1950's. It lies in the Allegheny Plateau region of NW Pennsylvania and is mostly hardwood forest today. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of private forestland and is very secluded. Our goal is to provide a private and secluded yet accessible camping experience where you will see more deer than people. AANR friendly. There is excellent Verizon and T-Mobile service. The skies are dark at night and the sounds of nature will surround you. Campsite 1 is near where the farmhouse and barn once stood. The site is shaded by large, old maples that once shaded the farmhouse. Old fields surround the farmstead, but the woods are a short walk away. It is the most popular campsite with an outhouse, fire ring and picnic table available. Campsite 2 is on the other side of the property. There is a fire ring but no picnic table. Both sites easily accommodate anything from tents to RV's. Each site has a separate, gated, gravel road access. These are the only 2 campsites on the property and they are far enough apart (1/4 mile) to avoid any contact should both sites be occupied. There is a 2-mile loop hiking trail on the property that traverses a variety of habitats which are home to many animals and birds. The trail is well maintained and mowed. The terrain is flat to gentle slopes. The 1/2-mile Narnia Loop trail weaves through a young spruce forest like a maze. It is so cool, literally, even on the hottest days. The Allegheny River is about 10 miles away, near Tidioute, PA, and has excellent paddling and fishing. Titusville, PA is about 15 miles away and is home to Oil Creek State Park which has great trout fishing, an excellent paved bike/hike trail, and Drake Well Museum site of the first oil well ever drilled. Finally, you will be on the doorstep to the Allegheny National Forest with all the outdoor recreation it has to offer. We hope you enjoy the peace and quiet of nature on our property as much as we have. If you are curious about more details of the history and management of the property, please ask your host, Dave Trimpey, and he will be glad to share his knowledge of the land. Learn more about this land: The property was a family farm from the late 1800's to the mid-1950's. Aerial photos of the 1940s and 1950s show much of the surrounding area was being farmed for crops and dairy cattle. Agricultural farming ended around 1956 and the farmer, Mr. Matkovich, planted acorns in many of the fields. An observant hiker may notice rows of red oak trees today in former fields which are now forests. In the 1970s the property was acquired by Lester Noll. He planted some of the remaining fields with spruce and fir for Christmas trees. The old farmhouse was still standing until it burned down in 1975. Mr. Noll sold the property to Dave and Rhonda Trimpey, your hosts, in 1992. We continued and expanded the Christmas tree business for 20 years and one point having nearly 6,000 Christmas trees growing in the fields around campsite 1. The Christmas tree part of the business ended in 2014 and management of the land now focuses on timber and wildlife. We have always used the property for personal recreation - primarily hunting, hiking and camping - and decided to open it up for others to enjoy by camping through Hipcamp in 2020.

May Farms

7 sites · Lodging, Tents97 acres · Erie, PA

Secluded area of field and trees on old family farm. Property is 97 acres. Near Presque Isle state Park and Lake Erie beaches. Hike Wintergreen Gorge near by too. The surrounding area and city offers amusement park, bicentennial tower, shopping and indoor water park. We are only about 10 minutes off I90.

100%

(2)

Goodschoolfarm

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Forestville, NY

We are a former homestead with a swimming pond, two beautiful art campers and camp spots. We have trails in the woods and are located near many places to explore: Lake Erie, Amish trail, excellent fishing and beautiful woods. We are on a dirt road very secluded and quiet but not far away from main traveling routes. Note to eclipse travelers: April is cold and often wet in Western New York, please be prepared for winter-like camping conditions. Including overnight temperatures in the 30’s and mud.

99%

(62)

Lake Erie Views

3 sites · Lodging41 acres · Brocton, NY

Great views, Local wineries & Breweries, off grid camping. Enjoy!

86%

(22)

Compass Rose Campgrounds

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents49 acres · Ripley, NY

Compass Rose Campground is 49 acres of camping fun. You can choose to go deep into the woods for a maximum camping experience or stay closer to the modern amenities. A full kitchen is available as well as bathrooms with showers. No potable water is available. The pond was created and stocked in 2022. Bring your fishing poles and rafts!! Kayaks are available for campers also. There are many, many trails available for hiking including an enchanted fairy trail. Train lovers will especially welcome the distant sounds of the iron horse passing by. Numerous activities on-site and nearby including mountain biking, fishing, boating on Lake Erie, horseback riding, many, many wineries, antiquing, pottery shops, Panama Rock (28 min), Chautauqua Institute (25 min), Lillydale (35 min), Waldameer Amusement Park and Water World (40 min), Presque Isle (40 min), Casino (30 min) and much more. The nearby towns have unique down home diners and shops. Only 4 sites per night will be rented out. Monthly discount rates are available. Please contact me for the discount code.

92%

(6)

The Highlander

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Pittsfield, PA

Rustic cabin with some creature comforts. Electric cooking range, microwave, coffee pot, small refrigerator TV and blu-ray player. Outdoor propane grill, charcoal grill and fire ring. There is no running water in the camp. There is an outhouse for toilet facilities. We provide filtered water for drinking and cooking. We also provide fire wood.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

99%

(36)

Allegheny National Forest

Sheffield, Pennsylvania

100%

(2)

Chapman State Park

Clarendon, Pennsylvania

Tionesta, Pennsylvania

96%

(19)

Cook Forest State Park

Vowinckel, Pennsylvania

Saegertown, Pennsylvania

Evangola State Park

Farnham, New York

Camping near Bear Lake guide

Overview

Looking for the best camping near Bear Lake? The area features dozens of top-rated campgrounds and places to park your RV for the night, many within a short distance of Pennsylvania hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. Whether you want a pet-friendly campsite or a family cabin rental with wifi, check out campsite photos, tips, and reviews from other outdoor enthusiasts to plan your next camping trip near Bear Lake.