Glamping in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania brings a unique outdoors experience within the rolling hills of southeastern Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 200-500 feet. Located in the Brandywine Creek watershed, this region experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 85°F and mild winters. Campers find natural conditions influenced by the area's humid continental climate, with thunderstorms common during summer afternoons.
What to do
Fishing in calm waters: At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, visitors have direct access to fishing opportunities along the Brandywine River. "Fishing available!!! Big sell for me," notes Craig W., highlighting one of the key attractions at this location during warmer months.
Canoe adventures: Many campgrounds offer water activities, particularly during peak season. "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," explains a visitor to French Creek State Park Campground.
Hiking accessible trails: Trail networks connect throughout the region's parks. "There are a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles," writes a camper about Hibernia County Park. Trails typically range from beginner-friendly flat paths to moderate inclines through wooded areas.
Miniature golf family fun: Family activities abound at campgrounds within 30 minutes of Chadds Ford. "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others. Nice playground for the kids and a small arcade," shares a visitor about Lake-in-Wood RV Resort.
What campers like
Luxury glamping amenities: Premium glamping accommodations provide comfort while maintaining natural surroundings. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved." The park features yurt accommodations with electricity for year-round glamping options.
Peaceful countryside views: Campers consistently mention the scenic aspects of camping near Amish country. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, visitors enjoy "unobstructed views of the Amish farmland and lots of room." One camper called it the "Best kept secret in the area. Peaceful, beautiful valley views of Amish country."
Swimming options during summer: Many campgrounds feature pools that operate seasonally. "The pool was nice and clean," notes a camper at Old Cedar Campground. These swimming facilities typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day, providing relief during humid summer months.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting provides chances to observe local fauna. "If you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty," writes a visitor to Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
What you should know
Varying site sizes and privacy levels: Campgrounds in the region offer different site configurations. At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, "the sites are kind of crowded together and bare," according to one camper, while others note good spacing at different locations.
Seasonal operation schedules: Most campgrounds have limited availability during winter months. "This park is only open on the weekends, in season," notes a camper about Hibernia County Park, which typically operates May through October.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and availability of facilities differs between parks. "The bath house in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend, however it is definitely in need of an update," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Booking windows fill quickly: Popular campgrounds require advance planning. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a camper regarding Lums Pond State Park Campground, especially for weekend reservations during peak summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: When camping with children, proximity to play areas matters. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville, "the water park was GREAT for kids and adults. Super clean. Lots to do. Well worth a week," mentions one visitor, highlighting the family-focused amenities.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Several parks offer dedicated fishing areas for younger anglers. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes a camper at Hibernia County Park, providing an easier experience for beginners.
Seasonal family activities: Many campgrounds schedule organized events for children. "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids... EVERYONE was extremely friendly," shares a visitor to Old Cedar Campground about their summer programming.
Fire safety with children: Campgrounds have specific fire ring designs that can be safer for families. "The premium sites are nice with patio furniture on a paver patio and seating around a built in fire pit," notes a visitor to Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, describing the upgraded fire containment options.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds present navigation difficulties for larger rigs. At Hibernia County Park, a camper advises: "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room."
Hookup configurations: Water and electrical hookups aren't standardized across campgrounds. "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," warns a visitor to Old Cedar Campground.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies throughout the region's campgrounds. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," shares an RVer at Lums Pond State Park.
Road width considerations: Interior roads can be challenging for large units. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," notes a camper at Lake-in-Wood RV Resort, highlighting a common concern for drivers of larger rigs in wooded settings.
