2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland provides primitive equestrian camping facilities within 30 minutes of Chester, Pennsylvania. The 5,600-acre property features extensive multi-use trails accommodating horseback riders throughout the year. Tent and RV camping are available with electric hookups and water access points positioned throughout the campground. Drinking water, toilets, and trash facilities serve campers, though no shower facilities are offered. The campground enforces a no-pets policy for non-equestrian animals, an unusual restriction among regional parks. Sanitary dump stations and picnic tables complement the camping areas. The facilities are maintained in clean condition year-round.
The trail system surrounding Fair Hill connects directly to the camping areas, allowing immediate access to miles of designated bridle paths. Riders can explore wooded terrain, open fields, and stream crossings on marked trails that range from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. Water access for horses exists at several points along the trail system. While Fair Hill lacks permanent horse corrals, the campground provides adequate space for portable corrals and highlines. Reservations are recommended, especially during spring and fall when trail conditions are optimal for riding. The campground operates as a group facility with specific guidelines that must be followed according to website regulations. Trail maps available at the ranger station mark water crossings, rest areas, and connecting paths to maximize riding opportunities.
"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
"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 - $75 / 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
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"
from $3 - $60 / night
"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
ScoutRestrooms 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.
GuideBeautiful 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.
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.
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area features over 5,600 acres of mixed-use trails located just 30 minutes from Chester, Pennsylvania. The area sits within Maryland's northern piedmont region, which consists of rolling hills, stream valleys, and hardwood forests. Camping options near Chester range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV facilities, with most campgrounds open from April through October.
Trail hiking: Hibernia County Park offers extensive trail networks for day hikers. "Great walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," notes Chelsea, who found the wooded setting ideal for weekend excursions. The park features trails that connect directly to camping areas with multiple distance options.
Fishing opportunities: Several water bodies near Chester provide fishing access. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," according to Sandy E. The area contains multiple ponds and lakes within a 30-minute drive.
Mountain biking: The region offers various terrain levels for cyclists. At French Creek State Park Campground, "There are trails for mountain biking or hiking," explains Jen R., who visited with her family. Many trails connect between recreation areas, allowing for longer routes.
Spacious campsites: Campers frequently mention the generous site dimensions. "The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern," notes Adam and Suzanne B. about Lums Pond, highlighting the room for equipment setup.
Privacy between sites: Natural barriers create separation at many campgrounds. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking!" reports Lindsay D., who appreciated the secluded atmosphere.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high across multiple parks. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," writes Mark about their stay at Lums Pond, noting the well-kept amenities.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond, where securing weekend dates can be challenging without advance planning.
Alcohol policies: Rules vary significantly between parks. While Blackbird State Forest Campground permits alcohol, many state parks like French Creek and Hibernia County Park prohibit it entirely, with rangers conducting regular patrols.
Amenity variations: Facility access differs between locations. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," warns Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park. Some sites offer only pit toilets while others provide full shower facilities.
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)," shares Mark about Lums Pond, where child-friendly recreation options include age-appropriate equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chester, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chester, PA is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chester, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Chester, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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