Fort Washington State Park Campground, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some historical significance. This campground is surrounded by nearly 500 acres of well-kept landscapes, perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the rich history of the area.

The campground offers a range of basic amenities, including picnic tables and fire rings, making it a cozy place to set up camp. Visitors have noted the cleanliness of the facilities, with decent access to drinking water and restrooms. One camper mentioned, “There’s at least two fire pits per camp ground,” which is great for evening gatherings.

For outdoor activities, the park boasts over 3.5 miles of trails, ideal for hiking and biking. Birdwatchers will be thrilled with the variety of species that can be spotted, especially from the Observation Deck. As one reviewer pointed out, “If you call yourself a bird watcher, you’ll be particularly interested,” highlighting the park's appeal to nature lovers.

While camping is primarily group-oriented and requires reservations, the park's proximity to local dining options and attractions makes it a convenient base for exploring the area. Whether you're here for a quiet weekend or a more active adventure, Fort Washington State Park Campground has plenty to offer.

ORGANIZED GROUP TENTING: This rustic area is open year round and has a maximum capacity of 220 people. Groups must call the reservation system to reserve a site. 

To reserve a group tent campsite, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day holidays.

Fort Washington State Park Campground

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Fort Washington State Park is just north of Philadelphia. It's almost 500 acres filled with trails, woods,and river. I usually go to the parking right off of Militia hill rd.and Skippack Pike intersection. It's an easy walk to the river trail and dogs are allowed everywhere.

Not a campground, but beautiful park

There’s at least two fire pits per camp ground. There’s only group camping. The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over.

Clean, great bathroom and water access. Great trails. Easy to get to. Easy 

Very nice

Bird viewing 

Great historical park along Washington's route to Valley Forge - however, camping is group camping by reservation only, not nightly camping for individuals. Come for Militia Hill, hawk watching, cross country ski, or disc golf, and the trails along the Wissahickon Creek. 

Great park, BUT not a campground

If, like me, you are trying to explore the wonder and splendor of Valley Forge and have stumbled across Fort Washington SP enroute, then what a little gem you have discovered. Replete with recreational facilities that would put most SPs to shame, Fort Washington is comprised of 492 acres of unbridled, very well-manicured landscapes that offer up great spots for birding, hiking and exploring. This very place lies in significance from the Revolutionary War when it housed troops led by then General George Washington on the way to Valley Forge. 

  

Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you’ll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn, wherein you can view their splendor from the wonderfully built Observation Deck that sits opposite the main parking area that you will first encounter when arriving here to the park.  Other birds include: Dark-eyed Junco, Common Loon, Blue Heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagles, Great Horned &amp; Barn Owls, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Rusty Blackbird, Red-wings Blackbird, Swainson's Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Red-Belly Sapsucker as well as the Rose-breasted Gosbeak and Bald Eagle.

  

As far as the actual campground is concerned, accessing Fort Washington SP from the eastside, you’ll enter the park from Route 73, where you’ll head west on Militia Hill Road before following the signs to the park, where after a good half mile of meandering paved roads, you’ll arrive at the Militia Hill Picnic Area, where you’ll see the raised bird-watching platform on your left and decent parking on the right. From here, you’ll have to hike up past the restroom facilities where you’ll find a paved road, but one that has been locked with a gate, so carry your gear with you. The dozen or so scattered sites are very well shaded, fairly clean with decent, not great, amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings and stand-up BBQ grill. There were also a few scattered water spigots and drinking fountains. Other than these basic amenities, you should be prepared to bring your own gear for all your camping needs. 

  

Fort Washington campground is located smack dab in the middle of five nearby hamlets, including: Flourtown, Whitemarsh, Five Points, Plymouth Meeting and Lafayette Hill. What we enjoyed most about this natural enclave completely surrounded by some rather dense suburban sprawl was a very welcoming SP that has some really great hiking trails – in fact, there’s 3.5 miles of trails to explore. On the amenities front, in addition to hiking trails, there’s designated biking areas, areas with water and modern restrooms (complete with sky lights), picnicking areas, shelters and pavilions, volleyball court, ballfields, disc golf course, hawk watching deck, children’s playgrounds, sledding area and cross-country skiing trails. 

  

In the event that you are up for some decent späzierengehen (German for a very good, long walk), then follow the multi-purpose trail that parallels the Wissahickon Creek, where heading eastward you will eventually come across Mather’s Mill, followed by the PA Historical &amp; Museum Commission Site, located just south of 276. North of this location, you’ll discover another series of historically significant sites over by Fort Hill, where you’ll come across the Clifton House followed by the Historical Society Building. Should you instead head westward, you will follow the multi-purpose trail where again, you just want to straddle the creek that runs through here where the trail mirrors, where eventually you will cross West Valley Green Road, before arriving at the Flourtown Day Use Area where all of the sports fields, shelters and restrooms are at. In all, there are 6 different trails that you will enjoy ranging from beginner to difficult. 

  

Insider’s tips? Sure, here’s a few: (1) When you grow tired of staring into your roto-molded cooler looking for what might be that next camping meal, then fret not, there’s a ton of dining options that surround you here, of which, I recommend: Tamarindos for enchiladas and Margaritas, Scoogis Italian Kitchen &amp; Bar for some homemade short rib ravioli or a monster tomahawk pork chop along with a very nice Soave as well as Magerks, which has some OUTSTANDING Philly eats like cheesesteak eggroll, cheesesteak nachos, cheesesteak salads, cheesesteak mac &amp; cheese (OK, I think you get the picture!) all washed down with the local Ale; (2) After a great night out under the stars, you’ll want to wake up early to hit those amazing hiking trails you’ll find here at Fort Washington SP, of which I highly recommend Militia Hill DUA Loop, which is great for birdwatching that will allow you to check out warblers, woodpeckers, various hawks and red thrushes; (3) Should you need to let the kids unwind for a bit to run around and explore, I would suggest a trip over to Legoland Discovery Center, which will let you and the kids build with the famous toy bricks to your heart’s content; and (4) If the amazing nature you are surrounded by isn’t enough, have no worries, explore more of the surrounding natural offerings, such as Briar Bush Nature Center where there’s some great trail hiking as well as Morris Arboretum&amp; Gardens, which is just beautiful. 

  

Happy Camping!

Photos of Fort Washington State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers