RV Rental James A Garfield National Historic Site, OH

Just north of the park on the shores of Lake Erie, you’ll find the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve. You can bring your hiking or biking gear and explore all 450 acres of land along three miles of hiking trails. The trails bring you through the four different areas of the park, which include the Lake Erie shoreline, Mentor Lagoons Marina, Mentor Marsh, and the upland forest. Become one with nature in the lush green woods, and if you’re up for it, you can top the day off with a kayak ride on Lake Erie.

Or maybe you’d like to do a bit of fishing? Angling in Mentor is easy at Veterans Park, which offers four fishing piers. Veterans Park is only ten minutes from the historical site. It has a two-mile hiking loop that circles Granger Pond. With your valid fishing license, you’ll be able to fish for catfish, bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout. It's also a great place to see local wildlife in their natural habitat.

Another nice recreation area to discover is Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve. The one-mile beach trail takes you up the coast of Lake Erie to Headlands Beach State Park. You’ll be surrounded by dense green forest and beautiful blue water. Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve is also where birders go to catch a glimpse of some fascinating wildlife, so make sure to bring your binoculars or camera or just keep your eyes peeled.

While the James Garfield Site doesn’t have a campground, there are a few places where you can park your RV rental in Mentor. Hidden Lakes Campground is a family-friendly campground that provides standard water and electrical hookups for your camper rental. There's also Wi-Fi, a dump station, and a camp store where you'll find supplies for all your RV camping needs. The RV sites are pull-through, and the campground has public toilets and showers for guests.

Camping in an RV near James A. Garfield National Historic Site is one of the best ways to see the area. Punderson State Park is another place where you can park your RV. There are over 160 campsites to choose from, most of which come with electrical hookups, while 20 sites feature full hookups. You’ll have a ton of activities to keep you busy at the campground year-round, including an 18-hole golf course, ice skating, fishing pier, and an area for snowmobiling. There's also a ranger station, public showers, a nature center, a dump station, and flush toilets for guests.

If you decide to rent a camper near James A. Garfield National Historic Site, you might as well check out the city of Mentor, Ohio. This quaint locale boasts hundreds of restaurants and locally-owned shops. There are also a few nature preserves and state parks nearby. Outdoor enthusiasts will love Mentor for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, and easy access to Lake Erie.

Take a short drive west to Willoughby to discover Squire's Castle. Don't expect to tour lavishly decorated rooms or admire any exhibits within the castle itself. The interior of this truly unique attraction is completely bare; even the doors and windows were removed to protect the historic structure from damage. The house was built for the caretaker of River Farm Estate, which was never completed. Today, Squire Castle is a popular venue for weddings, picnics, and photography.

One of the biggest cities in Ohio is under an hour away from the national historic site. Cleveland, Ohio is a major city known for its sports teams and its culture. Just about any type of cuisine you could want is available in downtown Cleveland, including barbecue, Mexican, and pub grub. Catch a professional basketball game at the big arena, or check out the world-famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland also has a proud art and live music scene.

When your trip comes to an end, you’ll be able to fill up your tank at any of the gas stations that surround the James A. Garfield National Historic Site near Highway 20. And when you’re ready to go, I-90 is a few miles south and can take you straight to the nearest major city: Cleveland.