The best waterside camping in Presque Isle

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It's easy to see why Presque Isle is a National Natural Landmark. The 3,200-acre peninsula is a mesmerizing wild haven jutting from the shores of Erie, Pennsylvania. With year-round recreation options to spare, it's a must-visit on Lake Erie.

Ready to explore Presque Isle State Park? The 13 sandy swimming beaches and 21 miles of trails are a great start. You can also gawk at the pristine shoreline from Peninsula Drive—keep an eye out for the historic lighthouses. Canoeing, biking, inline skating, and hiking are a few other ways to see the park.

The park itself offers no camping since it's day use only. Luckily, the region boasts tons of private RV parks with full hook-ups and campgrounds with tent camping around Erie and Fairview. Fire rings, picnic tables, and even Wi-Fi are a few amenities to enjoy.

Once you've found your home base, discover the calm waters of Presque Isle Bay. The state park's 500-slip marina is ground zero for water skiing, wakeboarding or just cruising while ospreys fly overhead. Trout, muskie, and walleye fishing is also big here, so don't forget your tackle.

For viewing local wildlife, head to Gull Point Natural Area. Situated on the far end of Presque Isle, it's been named one of the best birding spots in the United States. You definitely want to bring your camera and binoculars.

Keep in mind Presque Isle isn't the only park in the area. Just 12 miles west of Erie, you come to Erie Bluffs State Park. Stop here to explore 5+ miles of trails and take in fantastic views from a 90-foot bluff.

While this Lake Erie paradise can get crowded, Memorial Day through Labor Day is still a great time to visit. The weather is warm, and recreation options such as state park rental bikes are still available.

Pennsylvania winters are cold and snowy, meaning many campgrounds are only open seasonally. On the other hand, a heated cabin gives you access to the region's best winter recreation. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and wind skating (think kite surfing meets ice skating) are just a few options.

99% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Presque Isle

1. Spring Arbour Magic Forest &Trails!

97%
(359)
13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Walsingham, ON
Pitch your tent in our picturesque Carolinian forest in the heart of Norfolk county! Choose from 9 tent sites and 1 lodging site spread across 10 acres of wooded area on our 49 Acre farm. Well-kept trails to explore throughout. We are proud to have made the runner-up list for best Hipcamp in Ontario 2023 The terrain is mostly flat but interesting. Campsites are private with good separation from each other. Sites contain a picnic table and fire pit. Campfires are permitted according to our approved burn plan before midnight. 5G/LTE cellphone service is good for Bell, Rogers and Telus networks. FREE Firewood can be gathered on the forest floor or pay for on-site pre-cut wood. Outhouses are close to campsites....but not too close 💩 Port Rowan is only 12 minutes away by car, most amenities can be purchased only 1 minute away at the local Busy Bee gas station. We are situated in the middle of a Recreation Hotspot! Our site is within 3 minutes of paddling the Big Creek, 3 to 10 minutes to several A+ hiking trails, 15 minutes to amazing freshwater beaches of Long Point and Turkey Point, and the area is abound with cycling trails, motorcycle routes, geocaching, boat launches (we have room here for your boat!), cider/wine tours, and more! We are the perfect basecamp for everything the Long Point Bay area has to offer We have some great watering holes nearby like burning kiln winery, hounds of Erie and Charlotteville brewing company. Birders Paradise! The ‘Long Point Birding Area’ in Norfolk County is one of Canada’s premier birding locales. With over 400 species of birds observed, Long Point looms large as one of the most exciting places on the continent to observe our rich birdlife. For all tourism options check out https://www.norfolkcounty.ca/visiting/ We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$35
 / night

2. Hicks Haven

100%
(37)
5 sites · Tents, Lodging · Vienna, ON
On Trans Canada Trail, this haven is the perfect getaway. Enjoy serene acreage bordered by ravine, farmland and apple orchards. Watch the sunset at the Sunset Lounge overlooking corn fields. If renting The Love Shack your morning coffee awaits at the Paris cafe while birds and frogs serenade you. Spend your day at the beach and return home to a hot shower and bbq. A Provincial Park pass is provided free with accommodation of The Love Shack. There is a queen sized bed and a small loveseat in the accommodation. A fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom with flush toilet and even air conditioning for those that wish. An oasis with all the comforts of home! Should you wish to tent, the property is yours to enjoy with Natures Nook. Bring your camping gear and let nature absorb your senses. There is an outhouse for tenters and a Berkey water filtration system for drinking water. There are various chairs around the property and a dining area (sitting 5) A communal firepit is available for your enjoyment. Additional tenting is available for family/friendship gatherings on the property. Life is good!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$40
 / night

3. Private EPIC Waterfront Group Camp

100%
(7)
1 site · Lodging · Port Burwell, ON
Welcome to Birdwell Bluffs, a one-of-a-kind Foraging Farm on Lake Erie offering Costal Camping experiences for PRIVATE GETAWAYS (1 to 4 people in our charming Lakefront Cabin or LARGE GROUPS (of up to 30 people!) along one of Canada's most unique shorelines. This place will be ALL YOURS! Completely SECLUDED, PRIVATE and GORGEOUS! No sharing with other campers or guests, we ONLY book to ONE Group at a time to ensure you have the BEST possible stay. As stewards of one of Canada’s most vulnerable ecological corridors, our mission is to protect and celebrate the rare biodiversity of the Costal Carolinian forest while inviting others to experience land and water in harmony. We practice light-touch agro-tourism, regenerative foraging, and place-based learning—offering immersive experiences that deepen our shared connection to nature. Every trail we walk, every plant we nurture, every bird we protect—it all begins with ecological respect and the belief that conservation is a lived relationship. The Land Perched atop massive 80-foot clay cliffs overlooking the warm, shallow waters of Lake Erie, our Foraging Farm is home to some of the most pristine shoreline left in Southern Ontario. From the sun-soaked sandy Private Beach below to the rare Carolinian forest above, Birdwell Bluffs is a sanctuary for humans and wildlife alike. Our soil is rich in natural clay, believed for generations to offer skin-soothing and detoxifying benefits. In summer, the lake warms to a silky embrace, perfect for swimming, floating, or simply watching the eagles circle overhead.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
CA$207
 / night

It's easy to see why Presque Isle is a National Natural Landmark. The 3,200-acre peninsula is a mesmerizing wild haven jutting from the shores of Erie, Pennsylvania. With year-round recreation options to spare, it's a must-visit on Lake Erie.

Ready to explore Presque Isle State Park? The 13 sandy swimming beaches and 21 miles of trails are a great start. You can also gawk at the pristine shoreline from Peninsula Drive—keep an eye out for the historic lighthouses. Canoeing, biking, inline skating, and hiking are a few other ways to see the park.

The park itself offers no camping since it's day use only. Luckily, the region boasts tons of private RV parks with full hook-ups and campgrounds with tent camping around Erie and Fairview. Fire rings, picnic tables, and even Wi-Fi are a few amenities to enjoy.

Once you've found your home base, discover the calm waters of Presque Isle Bay. The state park's 500-slip marina is ground zero for water skiing, wakeboarding or just cruising while ospreys fly overhead. Trout, muskie, and walleye fishing is also big here, so don't forget your tackle.

For viewing local wildlife, head to Gull Point Natural Area. Situated on the far end of Presque Isle, it's been named one of the best birding spots in the United States. You definitely want to bring your camera and binoculars.

Keep in mind Presque Isle isn't the only park in the area. Just 12 miles west of Erie, you come to Erie Bluffs State Park. Stop here to explore 5+ miles of trails and take in fantastic views from a 90-foot bluff.

While this Lake Erie paradise can get crowded, Memorial Day through Labor Day is still a great time to visit. The weather is warm, and recreation options such as state park rental bikes are still available.

Pennsylvania winters are cold and snowy, meaning many campgrounds are only open seasonally. On the other hand, a heated cabin gives you access to the region's best winter recreation. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and wind skating (think kite surfing meets ice skating) are just a few options.

99% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Presque Isle

1. Spring Arbour Magic Forest &Trails!

97%
(359)
13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Walsingham, ON
Pitch your tent in our picturesque Carolinian forest in the heart of Norfolk county! Choose from 9 tent sites and 1 lodging site spread across 10 acres of wooded area on our 49 Acre farm. Well-kept trails to explore throughout. We are proud to have made the runner-up list for best Hipcamp in Ontario 2023 The terrain is mostly flat but interesting. Campsites are private with good separation from each other. Sites contain a picnic table and fire pit. Campfires are permitted according to our approved burn plan before midnight. 5G/LTE cellphone service is good for Bell, Rogers and Telus networks. FREE Firewood can be gathered on the forest floor or pay for on-site pre-cut wood. Outhouses are close to campsites....but not too close 💩 Port Rowan is only 12 minutes away by car, most amenities can be purchased only 1 minute away at the local Busy Bee gas station. We are situated in the middle of a Recreation Hotspot! Our site is within 3 minutes of paddling the Big Creek, 3 to 10 minutes to several A+ hiking trails, 15 minutes to amazing freshwater beaches of Long Point and Turkey Point, and the area is abound with cycling trails, motorcycle routes, geocaching, boat launches (we have room here for your boat!), cider/wine tours, and more! We are the perfect basecamp for everything the Long Point Bay area has to offer We have some great watering holes nearby like burning kiln winery, hounds of Erie and Charlotteville brewing company. Birders Paradise! The ‘Long Point Birding Area’ in Norfolk County is one of Canada’s premier birding locales. With over 400 species of birds observed, Long Point looms large as one of the most exciting places on the continent to observe our rich birdlife. For all tourism options check out https://www.norfolkcounty.ca/visiting/ We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$35
 / night

2. Hicks Haven

100%
(37)
5 sites · Tents, Lodging · Vienna, ON
On Trans Canada Trail, this haven is the perfect getaway. Enjoy serene acreage bordered by ravine, farmland and apple orchards. Watch the sunset at the Sunset Lounge overlooking corn fields. If renting The Love Shack your morning coffee awaits at the Paris cafe while birds and frogs serenade you. Spend your day at the beach and return home to a hot shower and bbq. A Provincial Park pass is provided free with accommodation of The Love Shack. There is a queen sized bed and a small loveseat in the accommodation. A fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom with flush toilet and even air conditioning for those that wish. An oasis with all the comforts of home! Should you wish to tent, the property is yours to enjoy with Natures Nook. Bring your camping gear and let nature absorb your senses. There is an outhouse for tenters and a Berkey water filtration system for drinking water. There are various chairs around the property and a dining area (sitting 5) A communal firepit is available for your enjoyment. Additional tenting is available for family/friendship gatherings on the property. Life is good!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$40
 / night

3. Private EPIC Waterfront Group Camp

100%
(7)
1 site · Lodging · Port Burwell, ON
Welcome to Birdwell Bluffs, a one-of-a-kind Foraging Farm on Lake Erie offering Costal Camping experiences for PRIVATE GETAWAYS (1 to 4 people in our charming Lakefront Cabin or LARGE GROUPS (of up to 30 people!) along one of Canada's most unique shorelines. This place will be ALL YOURS! Completely SECLUDED, PRIVATE and GORGEOUS! No sharing with other campers or guests, we ONLY book to ONE Group at a time to ensure you have the BEST possible stay. As stewards of one of Canada’s most vulnerable ecological corridors, our mission is to protect and celebrate the rare biodiversity of the Costal Carolinian forest while inviting others to experience land and water in harmony. We practice light-touch agro-tourism, regenerative foraging, and place-based learning—offering immersive experiences that deepen our shared connection to nature. Every trail we walk, every plant we nurture, every bird we protect—it all begins with ecological respect and the belief that conservation is a lived relationship. The Land Perched atop massive 80-foot clay cliffs overlooking the warm, shallow waters of Lake Erie, our Foraging Farm is home to some of the most pristine shoreline left in Southern Ontario. From the sun-soaked sandy Private Beach below to the rare Carolinian forest above, Birdwell Bluffs is a sanctuary for humans and wildlife alike. Our soil is rich in natural clay, believed for generations to offer skin-soothing and detoxifying benefits. In summer, the lake warms to a silky embrace, perfect for swimming, floating, or simply watching the eagles circle overhead.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
CA$207
 / night

Public campgrounds in and near Presque Isle

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