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Campgrounds around Cheltenham, Pennsylvania offer a mix of urban-adjacent and rural camping experiences within an hour's drive of Philadelphia. Fort Washington State Park Campground provides tent sites with electric hookups and fire rings just minutes from Cheltenham's town center, while Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, about 25 miles south, features tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Other options include Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina offering urban glamping experiences, and Evansburg State Park Campground with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options approximately 12 miles northwest of Cheltenham.
Seasonal considerations affect availability throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating from April through October. A review noted that "Washington Crossing State Park is temporarily closed for 2024," highlighting the importance of checking current status before planning a trip. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially for weekend stays during summer months. Full-hookup sites for RVs are limited, primarily available at KOAs and select state parks like French Creek State Park, which offers "a mix of no hookups, water/electric, and full hookups" according to one visitor. The terrain varies from flat, developed sites to more rugged, less-level options, particularly in state parks where rocks and uneven ground can affect tent placement.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors exploring the region. At Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest, campers appreciate lakeside locations, with one visitor recommending "site #8" for its "amazing view of the lake." Several campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities, including fishing, kayaking, and swimming during summer months. Privacy between sites varies significantly across campgrounds, with some visitors noting that certain areas can feel crowded, particularly in pet-friendly loops. State park campgrounds like French Creek provide hiking trails, boat rentals, and seasonal pools, though amenities may require driving from the campground area. Urban camping options like Alverthorpe Private Park provide unique experiences in suburban settings, though reviews indicate facilities may need maintenance and local residency requirements can limit access.
"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."
"m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly"
from $28 - $72 / night
Check Availability"They also have a catch and release pond and we found a pickleball court at a nearby city park."
"In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods"
"year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked"
from $1 - $100 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $120 - $145 / night
Check Availability"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
"We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"
from $57 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history."
"I always look forward to going because it is consistently clean, great for riding bikes and taking pets for a walk and children for a stroll PLUS it is significant historically and it is enjoyable for"
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot. Its a huge site, away from other sites."
"The campside was clean, spacious, includes the firepit and the table. While we were surrounded by other campers, we enjoyed how private it was!!! Will come back again!!!"
"We’ve stayed here a couple times in past Have family in the area Grew up in this area so very comfortable and easy access to lots of places! This visit we stayed six months may to October"
from $48 / night
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ScoutWe needed a pit stop….as a pit stop it serves its purpose…..would not stay here more than a night. Lots of seasonal run down campers. Tarps over campers. Bathrooms are neglected. Agree with previous reviewer that they have given into the seasonal camper.
ScoutChoose another campground unless you are certain you can arrive before 4pm. Otherwise, you'll not be allowed in. Owner is belligerent on this point, and from other comments, belligerent on other issues also.
We strongly recommend the nearby French Creek State Park campground.
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.
ScoutNice site. Neighbor not to close. Bring extra water hose. The connection is not very close.
ScoutWe stopped here overnight on our way down south. Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated. They had a pool and some basic playground equipment. Pet friendly. You have to enter the camping area by driving through an RV and truck storage area first. We would stay here again .
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.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
Camping sites near Cheltenham, Pennsylvania dot the suburban landscape surrounding Philadelphia, typically set within state park systems or private facilities. The region sits in the Piedmont uplands with elevations between 100-500 feet, creating a mix of rolling terrain and creek valleys. Most campgrounds operate year-round with summer humidity levels reaching 70-80% and winter temperatures averaging 25-35°F from December through February.
Hiking varied terrain: At Ridley Creek State Park, trails offer diverse experiences for all skill levels. "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back," shares Andrea R., who gave the park five stars. The park features well-maintained paths along waterways, with Mackenzie B. noting they're "well marked trails great for hiking. Pet friendly! We love walking here with our dog."
Bird watching opportunities: French Creek State Park attracts numerous bird species throughout the year. Stuart K. at Village Scene Park recommends "heading over to nearby Peace Valley Nature Center, which is only about 10 minutes away from here and features good walking trails near a small lake." Serious birders should visit Fort Washington State Park where, according to a visitor, you can "view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn" from the observation deck.
Historical exploration: Washington Crossing State Park offers educational experiences beyond camping. "Washington's crossing is beautiful and historic. We often bike along the canal there. There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area," explains Olivia M. The park commemorates Washington's famous Delaware River crossing with annual reenactments.
Privacy between sites: At French Creek State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacious layout. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R. Another visitor notes, "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."
Waterfront access: Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest offers prime lakeside camping. Alexa L. shares, "LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake." Another camper adds, "My friends and I stayed at Atsion during Cotopaxi's Questival in 2017. It was great! Very accessible, and Wharton State Forest was a beautiful backyard for a night!"
Versatile accommodations: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides options beyond standard tent sites. "My husband and I stayed for a week in one of the glamping tents. The staff was very friendly and the tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, but definitely had a good combination of woodsy and comfort," writes Jaquiline D. The KOA also features cabins, as Joshua B. mentions: "A small koa but very nice, I stayed in a cabin for my MTB race weekend."
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry. At Alverthorpe Private Park, visitors face residency requirements. "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," notes Les R. Stuart K. adds that "you'll need to be a resident in order to camp here, which was a major bummer to learn."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality fluctuates between parks. At French Creek, a camper observed, "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." In contrast, at Clarksboro KOA, Jim G. found "the showers were clean with some nice hot water but very small and difficult to change in."
Site terrain challenges: Finding level ground can be difficult at certain parks. One French Creek visitor explained, "We tented in loop D…the only bad part was that it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" At Evansburg State Park Campground, Chuck C. warns about terrain issues: "Only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite. Some are further than others."
Child-friendly activities: Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina offers unique urban glamping experiences. Stuart K. suggests that "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." At Clarksboro KOA, Nicole S. reports, "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more."
Teaching moments: Evansburg State Park provides learning opportunities in nature. Andrew C. shares, "Since he was 2 years old I've taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for 'adventures'." Many parks in the region include historical elements that children find engaging, like Washington Crossing State Park's reenactments.
Mud preparation: Pack extra clothes and shoes for children. Andrew C. warns that Evansburg can be "the muddiest State Park I've every experienced; I always bring a pair of sneakers to change out of my hiking boots, as well as a shoes and change of clothes for the little guy." After rain, many local camping areas develop significant mud patches that can challenge families with small children.
Site selection strategy: At Village Scene Park, Stuart K. advises, "There's about 2 dozen or so slots, albeit there's a decent amount of vacant land adjacent to the 2-3 strips of parallel running pavement pathways where you'll see RV's lined up on either side. So my first bit of advice would be to certainly call ahead to ensure that there's adequate 'room at the inn' here."
Hookup variations: French Creek State Park offers different utility options. A visitor notes, "There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people. All sites do not have a water hook up but there is water available and some sites have electric."
Urban access considerations: Clarksboro KOA works well as a base for Philadelphia visits. "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily," explains Jason E. Another visitor adds, "We stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family In Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was was quick and responsive."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Cheltenham, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cheltenham, PA is Fort Washington State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
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