Erie, Pennsylvania, located at the northern tip of the northwest Pennsylvania hitch, sits midway between Buffalo, New York and Cleveland, Ohio. With a population approaching 95,000, Erie is Pennsylvania's sixth-largest community. The city is the state's only port accessing the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River.
Most Americans are unaware of the historical importance of Erie. The first colonists to arrive were French troops in 1753 who built fortifications as a bulwark against British incursions into French territory. After the American Revolution, Erie grew into an important shipbuilding and fishing community. When railroad service reached the area, Erie, with its port protected by offshore islands and artificial barriers, became important as a hub for commercial traffic. The highways and freeways constructed during the 1950s enhanced Erie's profile, helping the city establish a burgeoning industrial sector that created continuous growth throughout the 20th century.
Today, RV visitors to Erie enjoy choices between over 500 restaurants, an array of campgrounds, and access to Lake Erie, one of the finest water sports areas in the United States. Reflecting its considerable history, Erie features many 19th-century homes and a significant array of architectural styles in its business district.
Popular activities in the Erie area include tours of historical buildings, such as Chandlery Corner and the Old Customs House. Those seeking to commune with nature will love the world-class Erie Zoo, the Lake Erie Arboretum, and the Asbury Nature Center. Hikers find plenty of opportunity to stretch their legs by following the pathway to Gridley Park, a secluded and elegantly maintained natural wonder protected from exploitation during all the centuries since Erie's founding. The Gulf Point Trail demonstrates the importance of shipping commerce when it leads to the two structures protecting the harbor: the Presque Isle Lighthouse and the Erie Harbor North Pier Light.
Campgrounds Near Erie, Pennsylvania
Lampe Campground in Erie features 42 RV lakefront camping spaces adjacent to Lampe Marina. Guests are welcome to take a dip in a protected area to cool off and relax after a long day on the road. Each campsite enjoys a firepit and picnic table. Visitors choose between 20-, 30- or 50-amp electrical service. Restrooms and showers are available for guests along with a coin-operated laundry facility. For those towing a boat, there is a free launching site. Bike and hiking paths lead to nearby waterfront shops and attractions.
Located 20 minutes southwest of Erie in Fairview, Pennsylvania, Presque Isle Passage RV Park and Cabin Rentals provides 121 RV campsites. Situated seven miles inland from Lake Erie, the campground offers sheltered sites even during inclement weather. Most of the sites are pull-throughs that can handle any size rig. Full hookups are available at each location with a choice of 30- or 50-amp service. Picnic tables and fire rings come with every site. This camping facility supports a robust Wi-Fi and cable TV service for those who need to keep in touch with the world while traveling. Presque Isle Passage is well maintained with gravel roads, lush grass, and concrete pads. Travelers with pets find a welcome space at this campground.
Sparrow Pond Family Campground offers more amenities than most RV camping facilities in the Erie region. Located 25 minutes south of Erie in Waterford, Pennsylvania, this campground has 192 RV campsites, 100 of which offer full hookups with 30- and 50-amp service. The remaining 92 camping spots provide water and electric service. The sites are well spaced with long concrete pads capable of handling any size rig and broad grass areas between each RV. The amenities include a heated swimming pool, a catch-and-release fishing pond, a playground, a recreation hall with a game room, clean restrooms, a laundromat, and a dump station. The facility is guarded with security gates, so families can enjoy features such as the sand volleyball court, basketball court, and hiking trails without concern.
State Parks Near Erie, Pennsylvania
About 50 minutes northeast of Erie, across the border into New York, Lake Erie State Park sits along the shores of Lake Erie. It offers 99 RV camping spots with back-in pads. The park is considered one of the top 100 family campgrounds in the United States and one of America's top 10 bird-watching spots. With magnificent views of the bluffs above Lake Erie and a breathtaking panorama of the lake, this campground is exhilarating for anyone who appreciates nature. Attractions at the park include a disc golf course, volleyball courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a baseball field.
Pymatuning State Park straddles the Ohio-Pennsylvania border with 3,512 acres in Ohio and 21,122 acres in Pennsylvania. Located about an hour and five minutes southwest of Erie, this park provides 433 camping spots for RVers with 54 offering full hookups. The park features some of the best fishing in either state for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. Winter conditions often freeze the waters solid, making an excellent ice rink for visitors to enjoy.
About an hour and five minutes southwest of Erie sits Geneva State Park in Ohio. It includes 698 acres that overlook Lake Erie. A pet-friendly facility, Geneva State Park offers 19 full hookups and 74 electric and water sites. Restrooms, showers, and a coin-operated laundry facilitate longer stays. Angling is so good in the area that its reserved fish cleaning station is seldom left unoccupied. Other popular park activities include hunting, boating, and hiking.
National Sites Near Erie, Pennsylvania
History buffs find the 75-minute drive southwest into Ohio to reach the James A. Garfield National Historic Site worth the time. Commemorating the life and accomplishments of the 20th president of the United States, the memorial includes the Garfield home, the surrounding properties, and the first presidential library in America. Activities include descriptive tours and a 15-minute biographical film of Garfield's life. You can also walk the grounds and check out the remains of the former president's 160-acre farm.
In Buffalo, New York, an hour and 40 minutes northeast of Erie, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site stands where Roosevelt suddenly found himself president after the assassination of President William McKinley. The Ansley Wilcox House on Delaware Avenue is where Roosevelt took the oath to become president of the United States in 1901. Part of the house is a museum that showcases many items, including plates, playing cards, and wine glasses, from 1901's Pan-American Exposition. The site provides tours, lectures from visiting speakers, and events celebrating Roosevelt's accomplishments.
Three hours and 10 minutes southeast of Erie, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the loss of 2,209 people after the South Fork Dam collapse. On May 31, 1889, the dam unleashed 20 million tons of water. In the visitor's center, you can watch a film entitled "Black Friday" that recreates the flood. There also are two floors of exhibits, including a slide show of old photographs of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, tactile displays, maps, and views of the former dam.
National Forests Near Erie, Pennsylvania
The only national forest in Pennsylvania is the Allegheny National Forest, which is two hours and five minutes southeast of Erie. Protecting an area of 517,000 acres, the Allegheny Forest was harvested and almost cleared of trees in the late 19th century and is now considered a second-growth area. Visitors find plenty of camping space, either in organized camps or through dispersed camping. Fishing and hiking are among the favorite activities visitors enjoy. Water-based recreation, including boating, tubing, waterskiing, and windsurfing, is also possible in the park's 12,000-acre reservoir, rivers, and streams.
In Ohio, about five hours southwest of Erie, Wayne National Forest covers nearly a million acres. Broken into three sections, Ohio's only national forest protects areas formerly undeveloped because of the challenges presented by terrain. RV travelers find many campsites available throughout the grounds, including spaces where boondocking is allowed. Hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are among the activities most often enjoyed by visitors. The more than 400 miles of trails can be used for OHV riding, mountain biking, and horseback riding in addition to hiking.
Finger Lakes National Forest is the smallest forest preserve in the United States. Located in New York, three and a half hours northeast of Erie, the forest is reachable in one day by RV travel. Over 30 miles of hiking trails reach the heights above the lakes with breathtaking viewpoints along the way. Angling in the lakes, and the streams that feed them, is a popular activity that draws urban dwellers to enjoy a bit of nature during family vacations. White-tailed deer, beavers, red foxes, and bobcats are frequently sighted in the forest.
