The camping areas surrounding Atglen, Pennsylvania sit at elevations between 400-800 feet in southeastern Pennsylvania's Chester County. This region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the high 80s and moderate winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds near Atglen require reservations at least 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15-minute drive from Atglen at French Creek State Park Campground, where anglers can catch northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye and muskellunge in two lakes. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by," notes one visitor, adding that "ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored."
Amish farm tours: 25-minute drive to Intercourse, PA where visitors at Beacon Hill Camping can observe authentic Amish life. "Surrounded by Amish farm lands and shopping locations nearby. It's not a big campground but it's friendly, clean, and well maintained," reports one camper. Another mentioned, "In the field right behind our sight, two horses hooked to a trailer took off across the field headed for the village with a dog and 6 or 8 young Amish men and boys chasing them."
Water activities: Swimming and paddling options at multiple locations, with one camper noting about French Creek State Park: "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing, where we picnicked and hung out for an afternoon."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at certain campgrounds. At French Creek State Park Campground, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports one visitor. Another adds, "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept bathrooms. At Country Acres Campground, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed," reports one camper. Another remarked, "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected."
Convenient location: The best places to camp near Atglen provide excellent access to attractions. At Old Mill Stream Campground, campers enjoy "great access to Dutch Wonderland, outlets and other Lancaster County tourist attractions." Another visitor noted its strategic position: "It was a tranquil little spot right in the thick of it so kind of perfect! Peaceful grounds and friendly people. Pretty perfect and highly recommend."
What you should know
Site specifications: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "Most of the campsite options are fairly level, but are very rocky, so this is something to keep in mind if you are tent camping. We have heavy duty solid steel pegs and still had trouble pegging everything down."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance bookings. For summer weekends at French Creek State Park, expect to book 2-3 months ahead as "the campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend." At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, holiday weekends often fill 4-5 months in advance.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby industrial operations. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing." Another camper at Old Mill Stream Campground mentioned, "Off a busy road but never heard any traffic at all - guess they are far enough away."
Tips for camping with families
Theme parks and attractions: 30-minute drive from Atglen to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides abundant kid activities. "Very family friendly park. Cabins, RV, Tent - full amenities. Lots of things to do. A little pricy, but worth it especially with kids," writes one visitor. Another adds, "We stayed in C1 during the hottest week in the summer (so far). The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. The water park was GREAT for kids and adults. Super clean."
Playground facilities: Most family-friendly campgrounds have play areas. At Country Acres Campground, "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it. Playground was close and the store was even open until 9:00."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into your camping trip by visiting nearby historical sites. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," while another camper noted it's "close to Longwood Gardens; Wilmington, Delaware; and a handful of local museums and gardens."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose your specific site carefully. At Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort, "Look at the map when selecting a site. The sites in the center are like a parking lot. Small, no shade and wide open. We prefer the creek side sites."
Hookup availability: Water access varies between campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water."
Maneuverability challenges: Large rigs face accessibility issues at some campgrounds. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer reported, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road."
