Meadville KOA

The Great Outdoors

Named after the Native American tribe that used to reside in the area, Erie National Wildlife Refuge is now home to more than 200 species of birds and several species of threatened and endangered freshwater mussels. In selected areas, visitors may fish for black crappie, bluegills, and bullheads. Beavers and river otters can also be spotted in the waters. Spy birds from the Deer Run Overlook or hit any one of the five nature trails for a more personal encounter with the refuge's avian residents.All these activities and more can be found at Presque Isle State Park, less than an hour's drive away when you park your rental motorhome at Meadville KOA. Near Erie, the park’s 11-mile sandy beach has its fair share of crowds, and thanks to its many unique habitats and ideal location, it has a staggering population of migrating birds. Get off land and into the water in a canoe, kayak, or boat and explore the park's many lagoons. The multi-purpose trail is a paved 13.5-mile trail that takes you on a loop around the park's perimeter right from the entrance.Bird song and sounds of rushing waters amidst more than half a million acres of wooded land beckon wilderness enthusiasts to the Allegheny National Forest in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. There are all types of trails here whatever your sport. Whether you’re into hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking, you’ll have hundreds of miles to get lost in. In the winter, the 114-mile Allegheny Snowmobile Loop is one of the most visited. If you feel like staying for a while, take your campervan rental to any of the many RV camping sites available so you can stay longer and explore the forest better.

Exploring the City

You can't miss the striking PennDOT Road Sign and Sculpture Garden, with a 1,200-foot long wall that follows the fencing of Crawford County's Dept. of Transportation office along Smock Highway. The mural was begun by an art professor with the help of college students and the community and made from used Pennsylvania road signs. The public art features colorful subjects depicting Meadville and surrounding communities.Another event not to miss is the Thurston Classic Hot-Air Balloon Event that’s been going on for more than three decades. Rent a camper near Meadville KOA and get in the thick of the festivities. Several dozen colorful balloons of all shapes and sizes go up to delight audiences of all ages. With close to a dozen gas stations and two dozen grocery and convenience stores in town, you’ll easily find what you need for camping close to the action without having to worry where to stay as the balloons fire up for the "Night Glow."Step inside the Johnson-Shaw Stereographic Museum and get a glimpse of what photography was like in Victorian times. The Keystone View Company of Meadville harnessed stereography in 1892 as a photography business that recorded important events around the world. At the museum, you'll see not only historical images but also stereoscope viewers, photographic cards, and other optical equipment.Camping with an RV in Meadville gets you close to Titusville, the site where Edwin Drake first extracted oil in 1859 on a commercial scale. The Drake Well Museum and Park sits in a 240-acre property housing outdoor exhibits that detail the journey of oil from the ground to the pipelines. Then see the full-size replica of Drake's engine house and derrick at the original site of the oil well that launched the world's modern petroleum industry.Booking a rental RV in Meadville, Pennsylvania gets you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy all the comforts and conveniences that Meadville KOA provides while remaining within arm’s reach of some of the state’s most popular sights and activities. Now that’s a great deal.