Camping near Bala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania offers access to natural spaces within the heavily forested Delaware Valley region, where elevations range from 200-400 feet above sea level. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer brings humidity and temperatures in the mid-80s. Most camping options sit within 45 minutes of Bala-Cynwyd, positioned along waterways like Ridley Creek and the Wissahickon.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park Campground contain northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, and several panfish species. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run," noted one camper.
Birdwatching for seasonal migrants: Militia Hill at Fort Washington State Park offers excellent raptor viewing opportunities from the observation deck. "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," explains one visitor who spotted Dark-eyed Juncos, Osprey, Cooper's Hawks, and Bald Eagles.
Creek exploration with kids: The shallow waters at Ridley Creek State Park provide safe water play areas. "There are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a great picnic area with grills," notes a repeat visitor who enjoys walking with their dog through the park.
Disc golf through wooded terrain: French Creek State Park offers a challenging course set among trees. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!" reports one frequent visitor who enjoys multiple activities at the park.
What campers like
Group camping facilities: Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest offers spacious group sites. "Very spacious and open - which is good in some ways but I had to account for shade as well as a place to rig a ridgeline for my tarp," explains one camper who found the waterfront sites particularly appealing. "I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake."
Dog-friendly hiking trails: The walking paths around Evansburg State Park accommodate four-legged companions. "It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors," mentions a visitor who also appreciated the clean restroom facilities and available maps at different parking areas.
Cell service for planning: Unlike some remote camping areas, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA maintains strong connectivity. "Wifi was fairly fast but was prone to disconnects. Lots of shopping nearby, fortunately for me because I had to run to Home Depot for a quick repair item," reports a camper who found this practical aspect helpful during their stay.
Secluded campsites with privacy: French Creek State Park offers sites with natural separation. "There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well. There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets," reports a regular visitor who appreciates that "there are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
What you should know
Residential camping restrictions: Alverthorpe Private Park limits camping to township residents only. "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," noted a disappointed traveler during a cross-country road trip who couldn't access the facilities.
Primitive bathroom facilities: Many state parks offer basic amenities only. "Bathrooms are primitive and non-flush, so BYOTP as it's campground chic here, not hotel lobby convenient," explains one camper about facilities at Fort Washington State Park.
Carry-in/carry-out policies: Most state parks near Bala-Cynwyd enforce strict trash management. "Carry-in / carry-out trash policy means becoming one with your garbage until civilization or squirrels show up," advises a regular visitor who recommends preparing for this requirement.
Site selection for large tents: Pay attention to terrain when booking. "Many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent," warns a visitor at French Creek State Park who found significant variation between camping loops.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Old Cedar Campground offers multiple kid-friendly amenities. "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all. There was also activities for the younger kids - making slime," shares a grandparent who spent several weeks at the campground.
Water activities for various ages: Facilities with lakes and pools provide multiple recreation options. "We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets," explained a family who appreciated having both a lake and pool available for children.
Scheduled weekend activities: Some campgrounds maintain regular programming. "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," reports a family visitor who found the structured offerings valuable.
Access to emergency services: Maintain awareness of proximity to medical facilities. "Cell service is 'iffy' at best, depending on how hard the woods are trying to keep you offline," notes a camper about Fort Washington State Park, suggesting that families should know where reception is available in case of emergencies.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup details: Village Scene Park offers full-service options for those needing power. "Amenities include: 30/50 electrical amp on all sites, private mailboxes, public water and sewar hook-ups, 24 hour coin-operated laundry, WiFi (albeit quite low speed), restroom/shower facilities," details a visitor who found the park a convenient base for exploring Philadelphia.
Dump station scheduling: Check operating hours before planning departure. "Oh, and there's a $20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends (to our chagrin, we found this out too late!)," warns an RVer who experienced this unexpected limitation.
Site width constraints: Be aware of space limitations when reserving. "Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs," cautions a visitor about Village Scene Park who found the limited space a challenge for larger vehicles.
Urban camping atmosphere: Expect residential settings rather than natural surroundings. "One moment you are slowly passing stately homes in pristine residential surroundings and the very next, you'll pull into this nicely shielded protected neighborhood park," describes a visitor who found the transition from suburban streets to camping an interesting contrast.
Legend
