M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Tent Camping near Cheltenham, PA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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State parks and public lands surrounding Cheltenham, Pennsylvania provide several options for tent camping within a short drive. Fort Washington State Park offers tent-only sites with basic amenities just 5 miles north of Cheltenham. Alverthorpe Private Park, located within Cheltenham Township itself, provides walk-in tent sites in a wooded setting, though camping is restricted to residents or those with resident sponsorship. For more established tent campgrounds, Evansburg State Park in Collegeville (about 15 miles northwest) offers tent sites with varying levels of privacy and access to creek-side trails.
Most tent campsites in the region feature dirt or grass pads with minimal grading. Fort Washington's sites require campers to park and carry gear a short distance, as the camping area sits beyond a gated access road. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering spigots while others have limited facilities. According to a recent visitor at Deep Creek Campground in Green Lane Park (25 miles northwest), "the only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public restrooms." Fire rings are standard at most locations, though some parks enforce seasonal fire restrictions. Primitive tent camping areas typically provide vault toilets rather than flush facilities, and campers should be prepared to pack out all trash.
In early fall, many tent sites offer more seclusion as crowds thin out. One camper at Goshen Pond in Wharton State Forest noted appreciation for walk-in tent sites because "you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time." For backcountry tent camping experiences, Round Valley State Park in New Jersey (about 50 miles northeast) provides hike-in and boat-in tent sites along a reservoir. A visitor described these as "truly primitive sites with only a few drinking water pumps scattered about," recommending weekday visits for maximum quiet. Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds, with Hibernia County Park offering "heavily wooded" sites popular with tent campers seeking shade and natural surroundings.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cheltenham (24)
1. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"I’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"
"The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
2. Alverthorpe Private Park
"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"
Check Availabilityfrom $1 - $100 / night
3. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"Terrific space for exploring"
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
4. Washington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
"The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping."
"The areas for that seemed well groomed, bathrooms were acceptable, and there was plenty of space. Some nice trees not too close allowed for good shade, without feeling like in a forest."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $100 / night
5. Evansburg State Park Campground
"Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek"
"You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently$9.90.The restroom facilities we're clean."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
6. Tinicum Island
7. Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
8. Batona — Wharton State Forest
"Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage. "
"The Batona Campground is in the northern area of the Wharton State Forest and is a bit removed from most trails and other campgrounds in the park."
9. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time."
"The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time."
10. Round Valley State Park Campground
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light."
Drive Time
- 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 31 min from Trenton, NJ
- 59 min from Vineland, NJ
- 1 hr 1 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cheltenham, PA
42 Photos of 24 Cheltenham Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Evansburg State Park Campground
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Batona — Wharton State ForestM
Mullica River — Wharton State ForestR
Lower Forge Camp
Blueberry Morning
Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
Round Valley State Park Campground
Bodine Field — Wharton State Forest
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Tip Tam Camping Resort
Tent Camping Reviews near Cheltenham, PA
756 Reviews of 24 Cheltenham Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
Maria Mercedes M.LegendRound Valley State Park Campground
Peaceful Wilderness Escape for Adventurous Families
There's something wonderfully special about escaping into nature where the only sounds are rustling leaves, birds singing and the gentle movement of water along the shoreline. Nestled among the wooded hills surrounding the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir, this rustic SP campground offers families a chance to disconnect from everyday distractions and enjoy a little wilderness adventure together. Unlike traditional campgrounds, the campsites are accessible only by hiking or boating, so getting anywhere here requires some planning and a willingness to travel light. Once you've arrived, you'll find secluded, wooded campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and no showers, but the beautiful reservoir, scenic hiking trails, fishing and kayaking opportunities more than make up for the lack of modern conveniences. Our kids loved exploring the woods, spotting wildlife and gathering around a crackling campfire at night to share stories beneath the stars. For families comfortable with the hike, I'd recommend choosing one of the campsites along the reservoir shoreline for the lovely water views and peaceful surroundings. Just remember that swimming is limited to the park's designated beach area. Round Valley isn't your typical family campground, but for adventurous families who enjoy hiking, camping under the stars and making wonderful memories together, it's a beautiful place to experience nature at its finest!
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms 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.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
- Adeline M.Guide
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful 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.
Kelvin R.ScoutTohickon Valley County Park
First time camping
As far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
Mary S.ScoutLums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond campground
First 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.
Guide to Cheltenham
Tent campsites near Cheltenham, Pennsylvania range from simple walk-in sites to more remote boat-in locations within a 50-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 200-500 feet with predominantly oak-hickory forests. Summer camping temperatures typically range 65-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions and fewer insects.
What to do
Hawk watching at Fort Washington: During fall migration season, the observation deck at Fort Washington State Park offers prime viewing of raptors. "From this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn, wherein you can view their splendor from the wonderfully built Observation Deck," notes camper Stuart K.
Disc golf courses: Green Lane Park features an established course popular with campers looking for recreational activities. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing," reports Benjamin C. about his stay at Deep Creek Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Round Valley State Park in New Jersey offers excellent paddling opportunities on its 2,350-acre reservoir. A visitor described the water as "crystal clear" and mentioned that "we paddled in, the water is very clean and crystal clear."
Trail exploration: Evansburg State Park provides multiple trail options for different ability levels. According to Andrew C., "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'."
What campers like
Walk-in sites for privacy: Goshen Pond Campground in Wharton State Forest receives positive reviews for its layout. Elliott B. appreciated that "I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going."
Waterfront camping options: Many campers value sites near water bodies. At Round Valley State Park, one reviewer noted their "Beautiful campsite right by the lake. Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quiet. Gorgeous sunset, beautiful views."
Wilderness camping experience: For those seeking seclusion, several parks offer more remote options. Stuart K. described Round Valley: "it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping (a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles—or if you come with your own boat."
Group camping facilities: Washington Crossing State Park provides dedicated group camping areas. "Rustic group camping nestled in nearly 500 acres of lush forest that is perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike," according to Stuart K.
What you should know
Resident-only restrictions: Alverthorpe Private Park allows camping exclusively for Abington Township residents or those sponsored by residents. As Les R. found during a cross-country trip: "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here."
Limited privacy at some campgrounds: Not all sites offer seclusion between campsites. At Green Lane Park, one visitor observed: "The sites are large but there is NO privacy. The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them."
Water access considerations: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Round Valley, Stuart K. reported there are "truly wilderness camping" sites with "a few random water pumps" and advised "while the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean."
Challenging access to some sites: Primitive campgrounds often require significant effort to reach. About Round Valley State Park, one camper cautioned: "Some of the sites are at least 3 miles to get to unless you take a boat across. Beautiful peaceful and primitive."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed areas for amenities: For families with younger children, campgrounds with accessible facilities make better options. At Evansburg State Park, Andrew C. shared: "I've taken my son, and we always have an amazing time" mentioning how they explored the trails together.
Plan for limited bathroom facilities: At many primitive sites, toilet facilities are basic at best. At Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest, a visitor noted: "There are two outhouses and one water source within the campground."
Watch for ticks: Several campers mention tick concerns, particularly in wooded areas. At Goshen Pond, one camper advised: "Great sites, great trails, lots of hiking and off road trails for dirt bike/atv/trucks. Pretty good boating/fishing. Just gotta check often for chiggers and ticks."
Consider noise factors: Campground layouts affect noise levels between sites. A visitor at Fort Washington mentioned: "Clean, great bathroom and water access. Great trails. Easy to get to," while noting there's "at least two fire pits per camp ground."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent campsites near Cheltenham have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Batona Campground, one reviewer explained: "Site are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit."
Primitive site considerations: For small RVs that can access more remote sites, be prepared for limited amenities. Meghan G. described Batona Campground: "Bathrooms are very basic. Fresh water pump is located at entrance to campground."
Seasonal access restrictions: Tinicum Island and other boat-in locations have limited accessibility depending on water levels and weather conditions. A recent visitor simply noted it's "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Cheltenham, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cheltenham, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cheltenham, PA is Fort Washington State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
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tent camping near
Cheltenham, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cheltenham, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Cheltenham, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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