2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
French Creek State Park Campground near Chester Springs offers camping with diverse horse-friendly accommodations for equestrians traveling through Pennsylvania. The campground features designated primitive sites in Loop C that permit pets, essential for riders planning overnight stays with their horses. Trails surrounding the park connect to the larger regional trail system, allowing access to natural riding areas with varying terrain and difficulty levels. The sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and parking areas that can accommodate vehicles with horse trailers. Bathrooms with showers and dish washing stations are available in the campground loops. Sites are spacious with level, paved areas for setting up camp, with enough surrounding space for horses to remain comfortable during overnight stays.
Located approximately 15 miles southeast of Reading, French Creek State Park spans 7,526 acres across Chester and Berks Counties, providing substantial room for equestrian activities. Riders access the network of hiking and horseback riding trails directly from the campground, with routes varying from beginner to more advanced terrain. Water access points are available throughout the park for horses, particularly near Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons from May through October when the campground reaches full capacity. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere with park rangers regularly patrolling the grounds, ensuring safety for both riders and horses. Many equestrian campers note the campground's cleanliness and well-maintained facilities despite its rustic nature.
"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
"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
"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
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"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!"
"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
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.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
French Creek State Park encompasses 7,526 acres of forest land with varying topography ranging from gentle slopes to steeper hillsides. The park sits at elevations between 250 and 500 feet, with humid continental climate bringing hot summers and moderately cold winters. Most campsites are situated on level, cleared pads while the surrounding forested areas create natural separation between neighboring sites.
Hiking trails for all levels: French Creek State Park offers multiple hiking trails for equestrians and non-equestrians alike. "There are trails for walking, hiking or biking as well! There are a ton of picnic tables too so you can take a lunch and just sit by the lake to relax and have a bite to eat," notes a visitor to French Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The park's lakes provide various fishing options throughout the year. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," according to one camper.
Winter camping: For those seeking equestrian camping near Chester Springs, Pennsylvania during colder months, some campgrounds remain open. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," reports a visitor to French Creek.
Explore nearby attractions: When taking a break from trail riding, visit historical sites in the area. "If you can't find enough to keep you busy at the campground or park there are a few attractions nearby... Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead," mentions a French Creek reviewer.
Privacy between sites: At Hibernia County Park near Coatesville, campers appreciate the 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," describes a visitor.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good bathroom conditions. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, a camper notes, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Natural surroundings: Rustic camping options provide an authentic outdoor experience. At Mountainview Campground, a visitor shared, "This place was just so calming and quiet, it was really just such a relaxing place to be. There was no irritation from loud, busy nearby roads, no city noise, no people yelling or stomping about."
Wildlife encounters: The regional forests offer glimpses of native fauna. "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," describes a Mountainview Campground guest.
Reservation requirements: For popular equestrian camping destinations near Chester Springs, planning ahead is essential. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a visitor to Lums Pond State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chester Springs, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chester Springs, 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 Chester Springs, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Chester Springs, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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