Conneaut Lake Park

For some good old-fashioned fun for the family, point the RV toward Northwestern Pennsylvania. Conneaut Lake Park has a bunch of rides, games, and a water park to enjoy.

Event information

Conneaut Lake Park began in 1892 as a fairground and exposition named Exposition Park. Back then, it had a bathhouse, convention hall, and a dance hall. The first amusement ride was the carousel, which opened in 1899. Soon after, several other rides and a midway with games followed with a total of 27 rides and three coasters.

Being right on the lake makes it an even more popular attraction, and the added water park brought in even more visitors. Another unique tidbit is that you can bring your furbaby. Just make sure they are on a leash at all times.

Guests to Conneaut Lake Park may be surprised at all of the attractions, some that make it a unique experience. First of all, it has a large beach on the lake, which is Pennsylvania’s largest natural lake. It also has a wooden coaster that was constructed in 1937, which places it among the oldest of wooden roller coasters in the country.

The pony track for the little kiddos is another unique attraction that most theme parks just don’t have anymore. Being a smaller park than many, Conneaut Lake Park has retained its cozy and family-like feel, and the visitors love that.

What would a park be without food, right? Visitors can grab all kinds of foods at the Midway Grille, Spud Stop, or the snack bar at the water park. Another nice part of the park is that you can camp here.

Just leave your rig in one of the 74 RV sites so you don’t have to leave after your fun day at the park. Also, 56 of these have full hookups, while the rest have water and electricity. Make a reservation early, though, because this is a popular option.

Tickets

Another unique thing about Conneaut Lake Park is that there is no cost to enter. Getting into the park is absolutely free! Those who want to ride the rides can buy a wristband from the ticket booth by the Log Cabin Gift Shop. In recent years, the wristband has been around $12 for all the rides all day long and about $12 for the rides at the water park. Guests may also be able to buy a combo for under $25 and save some cash.

Explore Conneaut Lake Park RV Rentals


Transportation

Driving

Conneaut Lake Park is near PA-18 just off of PA-618, only 45 miles south of Erie and west of I-79. Those who are coming from the south or west can take US-6 or US-322 instead. Stop in Erie while you are in the area, and visit the Waldameer Park and Water World, the Erie Art Museum, or just take a walk along Lake Erie’s shoreline. Presque Isle State Park is also a popular place to visit in Erie.

Parking areas

The parking area for Conneaut Lake State Park is just across from the park on Reed Avenue. Daytime parking has been free in recent years, and it is just a short walk to the gate. Right next to the parking lot guests can enjoy a meal at one of the pavilions before, during, or after their visit to the park. RVers can head straight to the campground for overnight parking.

Public Transportation

Located in Crawford County in the northwestern section of Pennsylvania, there is no bus or shuttle service in the area that takes visitors to the park. However, there are taxi-cab services, private shuttle services, and rideshare apps to get visitors to where they want to go. Travel by RV, campervan, or tow vehicle may be preferred since public transportation is limited.

Where to stay

Onsite

RVers camping at Conneaut Lake Park's Camperland just have to walk across PA-618 to get to the attraction, which makes it very easy to get to the fun. The campground has 74 campsites for RVs and 56 of them have full utilities. The other 18 have electric and water but no sewer. Guests also have access to the playground, store, showers, laundry, and restrooms. Be sure to book a spot in advance because they fill up fast during the busy season from May through August.

Nearby

For those who could not get a reservation or do not want to be so close to the action, Pymatuning State Park is only 15 miles to the southwest. There should be no problem finding a spot since they have over 400 campsites. Another fantastic place to camp is the Andover / Pymatuning Lake KOA, just 19 miles from Conneaut Lake. The KOA has over 100 sites with electric for rigs up to 45 feet long. Kids will love the playground, games, and pool and the adults will love the adult lounge.

Getting around

Conneaut Lake Park is a bunch of fun in a compact space, so getting around should not be a problem. With just 200 acres, the park is fairly easy to navigate. For those with mobility limitations, wheelchairs are welcome as are strollers for those with kids. The park has a plethora of benches and other seating areas to take a break when needed as well.

What to pack

Clothing

Pack shorts and summer tops if you plan to come between June and September because the temps in summer are typically in the 80s. However, it gets much cooler at night, so it is best to also pack long pants and hoodies or a jacket. In fact, in May, it has been known to drop into the 40s, so you may even need a coat.

Gear

Conneaut Lake Park does not have any restrictions on bags or backpacks, so guests can bring what they need into the park. However, it is good to remember that some items cannot be taken on rides if they are bulky or may become airborne during the ride. Many visitors use fanny packs or just put their needed items in their pockets. No coolers, food, or alcohol are allowed inside the park.

Health & Safety

Grab a pocket-sized bottle of sunblock or sunscreen to reapply throughout the day and a water bottle, as long as it is not in a glass container. Sunglasses and hats are also important to keep the sun off faces and out of eyes. Just remember that these items will have to be removed on some of the rides.

Where to eat

Cooking

Be sure to pack the basic cooking and eating needs like pots and pans as well as plates, napkins, wet wipes, and plastic cutlery. It is also a good idea to have extra water, aluminum foil, food storage items, trash bags, and cooking spray. Always plan for anything by bringing along a camp stove or portable grill just in case it is needed.

Restaurants

When hunger hits and the food at the park just won’t satisfy, don’t worry. There are quite a few eateries within a few miles. To the west of the park, RVers can find an Italian restaurant, breakfast shop, and a diner. To the south, there is another diner, a pizzeria, a full-service eatery, and an American-style kitchenette. On the eastern side of the lake, there are a couple of pubs that have some good food, and there are also two American restaurants and a seafood place. A tavern, Asian cuisine, and several fast food drive-thrus are available as well.

Vendors

Visitors will be able to smell the delicious aroma of pretzels, corndogs, and other carnival food before even getting out of their vehicles. Conneaut Lake Park has several choices of where to eat. The Midway Grille, near the park office, has all types of foods from burgers and fries to cotton candy and funnel cakes. The Blue Streak Spud Stop is famous for its tasty fries, and the snack bar at the water park has pizza, tacos, and sweets for all. The park also offers several gift shops to grab some souvenirs for you and a friend.

Safety

Security

Be prepared to have your items like purses and backpacks searched upon entry. Prohibited items include glass containers, bikes or skateboards, sharp objects, or alcoholic beverages. Also, of course, do not bring in any drugs or weapons. For those who need help from security for any reason, head to the Log Cabin Gift Shop.

Weather

Depending on what time of year you visit, the weather in this part of Pennsylvania can be drastically different from the rest of the country. In May, the lows are commonly in the 40s with highs only in the upper 60s. June is a bit better with averages of 77 for the high and 54 for the low. July and August are nice with an average of 81 for the high and 58 for the low. Rain is common during the summer as well, so pack the ponchos and consider downloading a weather app.

Medical

In the case of an injury or illness, the park provides first-aid for minor issues at the Log Cabin Gift Shop. However, for anything more than a scratch, it is best to head to the nearest medical center. There is a health center just three miles from the park on PA-18 and another about nine miles away on US-322.