2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The campground data for Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania reveals limited horse-friendly options, with most facilities lacking dedicated equine amenities. While none of the listed campgrounds offer horse corrals as indicated in their features data, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in nearby Maryland provides the closest equestrian-oriented experience. The area encompasses extensive trail networks suitable for horseback riding, though specific stall facilities aren't detailed in the provided information. Hibernia County Park offers primitive camping with sites under trees that can accommodate modest setups, potentially suitable for visitors planning day rides rather than overnight horse camping.
Trails throughout these parks connect to broader regional riding networks, particularly in Fair Hill where equestrian activities are common. Trailer parking requires advance planning as standard campsites at most facilities aren't designed for oversized vehicles. French Creek State Park Campground provides more developed camping options with electric hookups and water access, though horse-specific amenities aren't highlighted in the reviews. The wooded sites and extensive trail system create opportunities for day riding from nearby stables. Campers note that bathrooms and facilities are generally clean but vary seasonally in maintenance levels. Horse owners planning camping trips should contact these facilities directly regarding current policies for equestrian visitors, as accommodations may require special arrangements.
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"
from $3 - $60 / night
"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
Camping options with equestrian accommodations near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania remain limited but strategic choices exist within a 45-mile radius. Located in the rolling hills of Chester County where elevations range between 200-500 feet, this area experiences distinct seasonal shifts with summer highs averaging 86°F and winter lows around 25°F. Primitive camping sites often require advance booking during peak season from May through October when weekend occupancy regularly exceeds 85%.
Fishing at multiple lakes: French Creek State Park Campground offers two distinct fishing destinations. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," shares Jen R., who visited with her family.
Hiking trail networks: Hibernia County Park maintains several interconnected trails for day hiking. "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," notes Chelsea, who camped at the Lake Loop. The park offers both wooded paths and lakeside routes suitable for various skill levels.
Kayaking and boating: Water recreation remains popular at Spruce Run Recreation Area. "You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," explains Ruette W., who has camped there for over ten years. The reservoir permits non-motorized boats and limited power craft, making it suitable for beginner paddlers.
Mountain biking: Trail systems throughout the region accommodate various cycling skill levels. "There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events," reports Jen R. about French Creek's facilities.
Private, spacious sites: Mountainview Campground offers secluded camping spots with natural separation. "Our spot was #27 and pretty spacious," says Sarah. Christina H. adds that "the campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas."
Clean, well-maintained bathrooms: Facilities quality varies by season and location. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms," according to Adam and Suzanne B., who visited in February.
Wildlife encounters: Natural settings allow for animal observations. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" explains Christina H. from her Mountainview Campground stay.
Water views: Several campgrounds feature prime waterfront sites. "I love the water views. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade," notes Ruette W. about Spruce Run, adding that "the sites on the water are just so nice."
No equestrian facilities: Despite being near horse country, most campgrounds lack dedicated equine accommodations. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area allows equestrian activity but has specific limitations. "There are two primitive youth group camping areas. There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website," explains Gen F.
Seasonal bathroom maintenance: Cleanliness varies throughout the year and by campground. "I was very disappointed in the cleanliness of the women's bathroom. Let me just say I went one time and didn't go back," reports Jen R. about her French Creek State Park visit.
Weekend crowding: Expect busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday," reports Jules T. about Spruce Run, noting that "some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night."
Site selection challenges: Not all sites accommodate larger setups. Jennifer S. explains about Hibernia County Park: "We camp in a 28ft 5th wheel...though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."
Look for playgrounds: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers family-friendly facilities. "Bathrooms were clean" and there's "lots of room for a few tents at each site" according to Lindsay D., who notes it's "nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Designated children's fishing areas exist at select parks. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes Anna about Hibernia's family amenities, adding that the park is "great for families" with sites that include "a large picnic table and a fire ring with a built in grill."
Off-season camping: Consider spring or fall visits to avoid crowds. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" shares Galit P. about French Creek State Park, noting the "honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early."
Nature education opportunities: Some parks offer structured programming. "This place is a gem, even among nice state parks," writes Matt S. about Lums Pond, highlighting that it's a "beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved."
Limited hookup options: Blackbird State Forest Campground provides primitive sites without RV hookups. "RV camping is not encouraged," reports D.R., though tent campers will find "a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood."
Water access planning: French Creek has specific water sources. "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," notes Jen R.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access routes. At Mountainview Campground, "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," reports Christina H.
Site leveling requirements: Expect uneven terrain at primitive sites. Jennifer S. notes about Hibernia County Park: "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bryn Mawr, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bryn Mawr, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bryn Mawr, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Bryn Mawr, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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