The best mountainous campgrounds near Erie, Pennsylvania

Walk along the Lake Erie shoreline in Erie, Pennsylvania, and you may be able to spot Canada off in the distance. Erie, PA sits right on the edge of the country, but there’s no need to leave the city anytime soon. With a lighthouse, zoo, and plenty of museums, Erie has more than enough to keep campers busy. Camp for a few days, and you’ll quickly get the lay of the land and the lake. Campsites—from family-friendly resorts to romantic cabin campgrounds—surround the city, so you can wander Erie’s parks and beaches to your heart’s content.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Erie

Walk along the Lake Erie shoreline in Erie, Pennsylvania, and you may be able to spot Canada off in the distance. Erie, PA sits right on the edge of the country, but there’s no need to leave the city anytime soon. With a lighthouse, zoo, and plenty of museums, Erie has more than enough to keep campers busy. Camp for a few days, and you’ll quickly get the lay of the land and the lake. Campsites—from family-friendly resorts to romantic cabin campgrounds—surround the city, so you can wander Erie’s parks and beaches to your heart’s content.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Erie

1. River Island Cabin & Campsites

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(17)

47mi from Erie · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging

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) - 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. 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!

2. Charming Farmhouse On Working Farm

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44mi from Erie · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

A 4bd 1bath farmhouse on a working farm backing onto hundreds of acres of Pa State Game Lands property. Conveniently located near the best hunting, fishing, hiking and biking trails Pennsylvania has to offer. This 100 yr old farmhouse is on a 284 acre working farm. Approximately 15 mins from Tidioute and the Allegheny River and about 7 mins from the Brokenstraw creek.

3. Hardscrabble Nature Preserve

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27mi from Erie · 1 site · RV

CONSTRUCTION ALERT BEGINNING AUG 11th. Barn raising behind the campsite. Will not obstruct the view. A Nature Lovers Paradise. 40 acres of private land on a rural road with a developed driveway 30 amp service and Amish rain shelter. Breathtaking views of lake Erie sunsets and Canadian windmills. A gentle breeze and stargazing welcomes you. Nearby activities include horseback, riding, wine tasting, breweries, Chautauqua Institution, Amish markets, rural bike riding, hiking along the Chautauqua gorge. Limited man-made light perfect for stargazing. Serenade by farm animals nearby with plenty of deer, crickets and silence except for the Fourth of July. Bear, Deer, coyote, song birds, bunnies abundant. NO AGGRESSIVE DOG BREADS that will chase or hunt the wildlife. Rustic picnic table on site. NO FIREWORKS. Firewood can be picked up in town or forged on the property. No cutting down or damaging trees. This is a quiet area not for any loud noises or partying. One night fee charge if garbage is left behind (that includes cigarette butts). Port-a-potty on site. Sorry about all the rules but, you never know. Back acres provide plenty of hiking and a secret beaver dam. The driveway newly installed 2022 and directly off the road. Will need levelers because there is a mild incline. LEAVE NO TRACE. GARBAGE IN/GARBAGE OUT. Send me a picture of your set up!!! Enjoy

4. Wheels & Paddles Campground

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47mi from Erie · 5 sites · Lodging

We are located on 11 acres, providing cabin rentals on the Allegheny River, surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest in Northwest Pennsylvania, Tidioute - Warren County. We invite all motorcyclist, adventure riders, those towing motorcycles, ATVs, 4 wheelers and cyclists. We invite all canoe and kayak folks, tubers, floaters and those transporting their non-motorized watercraft. We have cabin/shelters with interior electric and bath house facilities. Wifi, phone/laptop charging and electric in cabins and at bath house. Each cabin comes with a table, chairs, fire ring, parking space and a view of the Allegheny River. We do have tent site available as well, email us at wheelsandpaddles@gmail.com for more information.

5. Big Sky Relaxation Station

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44mi from Erie · 12 sites · Tents, RVs

Our 75 acre property is located on a hilltop near Chautauqua Lake affording “ big sky” views and spectacular sunsets in a secluded natural setting . Our campsites range from partially wooded ,partially open meadow sites you access in your vehicle, to more remote sites accessed on foot . Most sites will be mowed in some areas and surrounded with woods and natural areas and views . Most sites have room for several tents , and some can accommodate campers and moderate size RVs. Traveling with your horses ? We can accommodate you and your horses . Sites are available where you can have your horse trailer right at your site , and have your equine pals right with you . You can also ride our walking trails . We have 2 12x12 barn stalls and warm water wash rack if you would like to rent a stall during your stay . All sites are located far apart affording you privacy and a true wild experience . Note : though we will accept campers anytime of the year , Nov. - April is normally quite wet or deep snow ( greatly limiting vehicular travel to camping areas ) . Between Nov 1 and May 1 you may be restricted a 4 acre open area for your vehicle . Wooded , open , half and half sites available . Rock fire rings , free fire wood . All sites are far apart , you likely won’t see other campers unless you go looking for them ! We offer privacy and nature’s beauty at its best . Spectacular sunsets , 360 degree star filled night sky with no light pollution . Our property abounds with wildlife and wild flowers . This weeks sightings have included Barred Owl , Pilated Woodpecker , Black Bear ,Red fox, Wild Turkeys , kestrel and deer with red wing blackbirds hitching a ride on back ! We have a network of trails for walking, enjoying nature and viewing wildlife . Nearby activities and attractions include Chautauqua lake and surrounding attractions , Amish Country , Allegheny State Park , Allegheny National Forest,National Comedy Center , canoeing and Kayaking , hiking , fishing . We offer FREE firewood and fresh well water access to all campers and your pets are welcome here . We look forward to meeting and hosting you and will do all we can to make your experience all you want it to be !

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

N

Nicole

August 2025

22 ft Class B

With pets

3 nights at Hardscrabble Nature Preserve

AMAZING STAY AND VIEWS! Host, Diane, was great! She shared local happenings and restaurants. The property was secluded, yet minutes away from downtown Westfield and local wineries/attractions. There’ a Love’s gas station nearby and off I-90 with a dump station, so very convenient. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK!

Eric

July 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hardscrabble Nature Preserve

Lovely, quiet, and private are all apt descriptions for this property. I appreciated the solitude. Hardly a car came down the road and no planes passed overhead. It was quiet except for the sounds of nature. Really nice little spot.

R

Robert

June 2025

18 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Hardscrabble Nature Preserve

Nice site, awesome views! Easy access and right off I-90 (NYS Thruway)

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best mountainous camping near Erie guide

Where to go

Presque Isle State Park

If there’s one must-see in Erie, PA, it’s Presque Isle State Park. Campsites around the park run the gamut, so you can park your RV at a site with full hookups or simply park yourself at a cabin of your choosing. From your tent with a lakefront view, it’s easy to forget that Lake Erie is a lake—and not its own, vast ocean.

Erie Bluffs State Park

Head west of Erie, and you’ll stumble into Erie Bluffs State Park just miles before the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. After you check into your cabin with a picnic table, enjoy a leisurely lunch amidst the park’s bluffs. You didn’t think it’s called Erie Bluffs State Park for no reason, did you? If you’d rather an action-packed getaway, the park offers hiking, fishing, and, in the colder months, cross-country skiing.

East of Erie

If you’d rather venture toward New York, follow the shoreline east of Erie. Along the water, you’ll find Shades Beach Park, where playgrounds, beaches, and trailheads all come together. Further inland, family-friendly campsites near Six Mile Creek Park offer even more hiking trails, each with unique scenery. Rent a campsite with running water, wifi, and onsite bathrooms, and you’ll embrace all things nature with all things convenient.

When to go

Erie, PA camping was made for warm weather, when beach camping is at its best. If you enjoy swimming, boating, kayaking, or just generally exploring the great outdoors, come to Erie in the summer, when you can make the most of the area’s nature. Many campsites, however, remain open year-round. Book a yurt with bunk beds or a cabin with electricity, and we promise: beach weather will be nothing more than an afterthought.