H
Heidi Z.
Traveler
TravelerThe Loose Caboose Campground
Nice view
The owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .
Camping near Chester Heights, PA
124 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The camping landscape around Chester Heights, Pennsylvania encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas within driving distance of Philadelphia. Ridley Creek State Park offers group camping facilities with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, while Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides more developed options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. French Creek State Park, located about 30 miles northwest, features year-round camping with a variety of accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts. The region includes several state parks and private campgrounds that cater to different camping preferences, from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks with amenities.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most facilities operating from spring through fall, though some like French Creek State Park remain open year-round. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The Philadelphia-West Chester KOA operates from April through November, while other private campgrounds have varying seasonal schedules. Weather conditions can impact camping experiences, with summer offering warm temperatures ideal for swimming and outdoor activities, while spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures but occasional rainfall. As one visitor noted about French Creek State Park, "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."
Campers report high satisfaction with the variety of natural settings available near Chester Heights. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful atmosphere and proximity to water features as highlights of their stays. At Ridley Creek State Park, the group camping area provides a natural retreat despite being close to urban areas. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA receives positive reviews for its amenities and location, with one camper describing it as "a really nice KOA not too far from downtown Philly" situated "in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills." The campground's proximity to historical sites in Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and Amish country makes it a convenient base for exploring the region. Some campgrounds like French Creek State Park offer extensive recreational opportunities including hiking trails, fishing, and seasonal swimming facilities, though recent reviews indicate some amenities may no longer be operational.
Best Campgrounds near Chester Heights (124)
1. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"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 Availability2. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
"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"
3. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"Everything was within close walking distance and the staff were extremely helpful. Pool and bathrooms were very clean."
from $59 - $86 / night
Check Availability4. French Creek State Park Campground
"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 $24 - $135 / night
Check Availability5. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
from $29 - $51 / night
Check Availability6. Tinicum Island
7. Brandywine Creek Campground
"Girlfriend and I stayed here while we visited nearby Longwood Gardens. The tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view."
"Close to Valley Forge military park, and convenient to Philadelphia by train."
8. Old Cedar Campground
"This row of sites lacked the trees for shade and privacy found at most other sites around the campground. The pool was nice and clean."
"Not close off the highway, but wooden sites. Seems as though people spend their summers there. Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice."
from $31 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Elk Neck State Park Campground
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."from $21 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Four Seasons Family Campground
"They have many amenities form a lake to swim or fish, to playgrounds,theres a convenient store and even an arcade, and the best part is all the farms around."
from $50 - $150 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 30 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 51 min from Trenton, NJ
- 53 min from Reading, PA
- 58 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Chester Heights, PA
249 Photos of 124 Chester Heights Campgrounds
OAK M.
Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
Ray L.
Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
Dave G.
Brandywine Creek Campground
J K.
Evansburg State Park Campground
Jennifer S.
Hibernia County Park
Paul Q.
Four Seasons Family Campground
Stacy D.
Old Cedar Campground
LaPlace T.
Tranquil Creekside Camp
Debbie W.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Ellen B.
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Ellen C.
French Creek State Park Campground
An V.
Cecil County Permaculture
Recent Reviews near Chester Heights, PA
895 Reviews of 124 Chester Heights Campgrounds
Nadine R.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Not my vibe
I personally did not like this campsite. First of all, our site tag was leftover from SEPTEMBER. Did no one look at any of these sites and leave someone else’s registration posted there for almost a year? Wild. Our campsite had trash leftover from previous campers. The whole campground was loud - from other campers to just the sounds from the nearby road. If you are looking for peace it is NOT here. If you’re looking to have loud music time all night with no repercussions as your kids ride around yelling and carrying on past midnight then you’ll have a blast. The pros of this campsite was supposed to be the access to Lake Atsion but we were turned away at the gate at 12:30 as they stated they were at capacity. Checking into our campsite they specifically asked if we would be utilizing the recreation area so we would have a pass for entry, but that’s seemingly not in their logistical headcount. I would not visit here again.
BGuideSusquehanna State Park Campground
A little noisy - park stuff, not campers
A beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people. The electric sites aren't all together, so you don't have RV's lined up but maybe annoying for folks who are tent camping. Avoid the locations in the mid-30's by the dumpster, both staff and campers start shaking the lid around 6:30. Between 5 AM and noon staff were driving big trucks and ATV's around with loud reverse horns, and slamming the fire pit grills, which they store sideways. Overall I had a really wonderful time, but that's largely down to good sound reduction inside the van. Almost zero cell service. I was able to get a couple of text messages in and out, but seemed to be a fluke.
Isabel Z.
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Great for families
This campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
- MMakylie P.Scout
Ringing Rocks Family Campground
incredible find
i stumbled on this searching for something almost immediately off the interstate, but with little-to-no booking available for a reasonable price elsewhere local. we detoured about 25 minutes to get here, and it is just incredible. the scenery is gorgeous, they have a camp store with oodles of stuff, there’s a huge playground, and the camping areas are dispersed well and offer beautiful scenic privacy. i wish i could make this place my home. amenities are well taken care of, they have showers in the bathroom, as well as an on-site laundry facility. they have complimentary wifi, which i appreciate with AT&T. signal is slim to none without it. overall, 5/5 stars from my family.
- TTroli R.Guide
Aberdeen Proving Ground RV Park
Bougie sites; AWFUL reservation system
BASE ACCESS REQUIRED!
Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well.
The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)
Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in.
The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion.
Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.
Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.
Carol C.ScoutOtter Creek Campground
Lovely tranquil campsites next to river
We stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.
- JJohn S.Scout
Quakerwoods Campground
Great place. Friendliest people
The staff is the GREATEST. They are knowledgeable and helpful. The grounds are clean. The shower rooms are clean and large. Laundry room is perfect. They have pull-thrus, back ins and tent sites. Dog stations are placed throughout the park. The campers are also the friendliest. You can always tell the condition of the camp by the quality of the people staying there.. everyone was respectful, courteous and friendly. We stayed in July, 2026 and would DEFINITELY stay again next time we are thru PA.
Brian M.ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Good experience
Great campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles
Guide to Chester Heights
Camping near Chester Heights, Pennsylvania offers primitive tent sites to full-service yurts within a 30-mile radius. The region sits along the Brandywine River watershed, with elevations ranging from 230 to 400 feet above sea level and an average summer temperature of 85°F. Winter camping remains available at select locations including French Creek State Park, where primitive sites stay open when temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails: French Creek State Park offers extensive trail networks for all ability levels. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," with options for both shoreline and boat fishing. The park features "two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by."
Kayaking and canoeing: Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides water recreation along the Brandywine River. "There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool." The camp's river access allows paddlers to enjoy "gorgeous river views" where "you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float."
Wildlife viewing: Ridley Creek State Park offers natural spaces for animal spotting. "Beautiful area to explore and the campground is fairly nice. Bonus points for accepting four legged friends!" Visitors report seeing various wildlife, and as one camper mentioned, "we found a lot of really unique sites around the park."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Hibernia County Park provides wooded camping areas with natural separation. "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp." Campers appreciate that "it's tiny, it's quiet, it's heavily wooded."
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park maintains modern amenities. "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms." Visitors frequently comment on the upkeep, noting the park is "a gem, even among nice state parks" with "fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved."
Swimming options: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers water recreation during summer months. "There is a pool that is open Memorial Day- Labor Day. They also have a catch and release pond." Campers appreciate that "this is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Old Cedar Campground and most nearby campgrounds fill quickly in summer. "The website, posted signs, confirmation email, and check-in instructions all included a list of strict rules regarding conduct while on property and everyone seemed to abide by them during our stay." Many campgrounds have specific booking windows, with one visitor noting "we paid $135/night for Back-in Patio Site#25. A bit pricey considering the lack of elbow room."
Weather considerations: Winter camping requires preparation as temperatures can drop into the 20s. "We were here about 10-15 yrs ago and swore we'd never go back. I'm glad we did. They've added a pool and are working on a mini golf area." Seasonal facilities often close after October, with one camper mentioning they "stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!"
Water access limitations: Some campgrounds have shared hookups or limited water stations. "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses." During peak summer months, water levels at lakes and ponds may be lower, affecting swimming and boating options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Elk Neck State Park offers family-centered sites. "This campground is very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time!" The park includes "a camp store, boat ramp, swimming, fishing and lots of great hiking," making it convenient for families needing supplies or activities.
Pet-friendly loops: When traveling with pets, choose designated pet areas. "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop." Some campgrounds provide dedicated pet exercise areas.
Activity scheduling: Plan around scheduled campground events for kids. "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids.... EVERYONE was extremely friendly." Many campgrounds offer weekend programming during summer months, including nature walks, crafts, and outdoor games.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Four Seasons Family Campground works best for specific rig types. "This place is great for rvs. They have many amenities from a lake to swim or fish, to playgrounds, theres a convenient store and even an arcade." When booking, check site length and width specifications carefully, as "many spots had trees but we couldn't get one as they stated our rig would not fit."
Leveling considerations: Bring adequate leveling blocks for uneven sites. "The sites, particularly those on the Brandywine River, have amazing views. They are close enough for you to camp with a group, but most also have a small fence between each site to clearly delineate between the sites." RVers should note that "the sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun."
Hook-up accessibility: Verify hookup locations before arrival. "A bit difficult to set up because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle." Some campers report that "there was just barely enough room for the motorhome and Jeep Wrangler. I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Chester Heights, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Chester Heights, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chester Heights, PA is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
Keep Exploring