Best Tent Camping near Chester, PA

Tent Camping Reviews near Chester, PA

719 Reviews of 24 Chester Campgrounds

• 

  Ra F.

  Scout

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

  OK, but camping gets a low rating.

  The park is lovely, but the camping facilities are subpar, primitive and lack any kind of privacy. I bike toured there. The only potable water was from a near-broken water fountain at the public rest rooms and no electrical connection to recharge electronics. There was also a fair amount of road noise at night. Bathhouse OK, but just basic. Tent spots are just lined up against one another facing a service road.

• 

  W L.

  Ranger

  Mar. 15, 2022

  Parvin State Park Campground

  Great location; Easy camping for newbies

  We stayed for a weekend and were very happy with our cabin - a pleasant surprise was how incredible the bathroom inside there was - we're talking spectacularly clean! There was a shower stall w/built-in shelves that seemed brand new (no mildew on the shower curtain, no stains, etc.). The small sink had a mirror above it that opens for a medicine cabinet. Plenty of toilet paper but you need to bring your own soap/shampoo/towels.

  The cabin featured a separate kitchenette area with regular size fridge, sink, electric stove with oven and some counter space/cupboard and rack for a hand towel. A fire extinguisher was within easy reach. The main area had two Adirontack chairs, table with benches, electrical outlet and wide barn doors (designed to open fully but ours were nailed shut so only a regular door width opened). There was a wood stove which, in August, we did not utilize (and I'd recommend bringing a small fan or two if you come in the summer, it was hot). There was a chalkboard (no chalk).

  While we did not think we'd be using the narrow screened in porch it did rain and we were glad to have it. Also inside were two little rooms with bunk beds. I felt claustrophobic in there, imagining spiders and all sorts of creepy things living in there and opted to sleep in the car. Which reminds me - warning - there are tiny deer ticks. Don't go out to the car in the dark when the dew is on the grass w/o covering your feet and ankles, you will get deer ticks. Not like it happened to me or anything, wink wink. That being said, the bunks were clean, if well-used. Bring your sheets/pillows/sleeping bag for them. 

  Outside, to the back of the cabin, was a small deck with picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Beyond that you will find a path to the lake with beautiful swans.

  We walked the path around Thundergust lake after dinner and here is another warning: bring super-woodsman-strong-do-not-mess-with-me bug spray. While we all can get mosquito bites, these babies were like Rambo mosquitos on sterioids - one bite would leave a welt swollen a quarter inch above your skin and an inch and a half long. One bite. Now imaging a dozen of them and you can see why my friend was miserable the next day. We also found the "spotted lantern fly" a pest that is non-native and wrecking havock, which we promptly crushed with a hiking boot.

  The swimming area of Parvin Lake was closed due to COVID, but we did a few hikes. There are maps available in the ranger's office - and some pretty cool tie-died t-shirts, too. (I got the turquoise). Anyway, the trails were pretty busy - lots of locals out getting a walk, run, or dog walk in. The hikes were easy, with level, sandy trails that were well-marked. There is a lot nearby the camping area, (like Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy where you can feed the animals and purchase some fantasic dairy products, yarn, and meats) or the Jersey Shore, or Amish markets.  So, while you can have the camping experience you will never feel "alone in the woods", which is why it's a great choice for new campers. Also  families who want the option of day trips close by. Some people had kayaks out on one of the lakes.

  While a bit worn from the weather, it was nice to read about the foliage/native plants as we walked the trails. We also caught the end of the blueberry season and I was able to collect enough to make a small batch of jam when I got home.

  My four-star rating comes from personal preference for more solitude when I camp. The other side of the same coin is the other negative impression I left with - there was a lot of trash/litter no matter where we were in this park. "Leave no trace" is not practiced here by the visitors, and while the park keeps the cabins COVID-spotless, the grounds are not maintained with the same stringency. In all fairness, the visitors should stop throwing bottles, wrappers, etc. on the ground. Signage and some volunteer days might help.

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• B

  Brett C.

  Scout

  Jul. 29, 2018

  Tohickon Valley County Park

  One stop shop for adventure!

  This place is amazing! everything you could want, from tent and RV camping to cabin rentals. They also have a pool and playground. some of my favorite parts of this park are a good 100’ rack wall perfect for climbing, great fishing, trails for miles that even connects to the AT, and when scheduled they open the dam up stream for som world class whitewater rafting.

  As for some things that aren’t listed. this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park, however that all depends on how open you are about it and the Park rangers. Cell phone service is limited last time I was up there in 2012 only people with Verizon Wireless had any reception. Also there is no WiFi. No hookups or camp store.

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• 

  Napunani

  Legend

  Jun. 25, 2022

  French Creek State Park Campground

  Campsites Jammed Closely Together

  PROS 

  Reserved 328 days prior to arriving

  $13.50 senior discount 

  Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful 

  Site C3 parking pad level asphalt 

  Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable 

  One hook lantern pole 

  Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival 

  Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites 

  Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center. 

  Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP 

  CONS

  $6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation 

  Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching 

  Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together

  Pitiful low water pressure  in Loop C

  Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level 

  Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking 

  Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday 

  Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable) 

  Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced

  Lots of barking dogs 

  No wood sales in park 

  No WiFi 

  1 bar Verizon

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• 

  Jim N.

  Guide

  Apr. 29, 2019

  Hibernia County Park

  Hidden gem

  A nice primitive campground - good for a quick trip away. The campground is a county run one that works on a first come first serve basis, which is fine if there are others close by. They are wooded sites and have 2 loops. There is no store, but there a places close to get supplies. The park is dry, no alcohol. No hook ups either. There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends.

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  Feb. 14, 2025

  Little Red Barn Campground

  Nice family-run campground

  General: 132-site campground with a mix of no hookups or water and electric. Six of the sites are “field sites” – on grass. Our site was chosen for us. 

  Site Quality: Varies. Sites 68 and 69 are next to the field sites and aside from having electricity and water and a faint gravel camper pad, there is not much to distinguish them from the field sites (which have electricity but no water). Our site was almost level but in order to reach the electric connection, we were sloped slightly downhill side-to-side. The FHU sites are wooded but close together.

  Bath/Shower house: Clean with soap and paper towels. The shower had nice hot water. 

  Activities/Amenities: The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. There is also a separate kiddie pool. We were there the Thursday after Memorial Day and had the pool to ourselves. Other amenities include laundry, a game room, golf cart rentals, and sports equipment (basketballs, volleyball, soccer, football, horseshoes, bocce ball, ping pong) are available. Propane fill-ups, firewood, a camp store, and a dump station (including on-site for a fee) are all available. Free WiFi, although not the strongest signal. 

  Had we not needed an electric hookup for our computers, I would have much preferred the primitive sites – they are private and shaded but they are a hike to the bathroom. There is one vault toilet in this area. Our site had no shade, and it was a very hot day when we were there. I was surprised at the lack of camping options in this area.

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• 

  Max C.

  Traveler

  Oct. 14, 2019

  French Creek State Park Campground

  Gorgeous in the fall

  Stayed in B-08 on mid October and had a great trip. The site was non-electric and it seems most of the outer side of this loop is basic camping with the inside of the loop having power. The other loops offer full hookups but opting for this area kept us from being surrounded by massive RV's. Easy back in spot for our car, partially shaded, decent brush cover between sites and able to keep tent about 20 yards from the road on a crushed rock pad. I will say this site has a little bit of slope but nothing that affected our sleep. The fire ring is very high sided and if you're not sitting on a higher camp chairs you kind of miss the fire. Picnic table was sturdy but easy enough to move lnto place to fit our needs. Tons of hike mg within the park including some historic sites at Hopewell Furnace like the blacksmith shop and old residences. Checked in a. It before the stated 3pm time without issues. Very few rangers seen during stay but it is after labor day and most of the seasonal attractions like the pool etc were closed for the season. Very clean bathrooms with easy to use dish sinks on the outside. Overall for a trip that within 75 minutes of Philly you can't go wrong for a quick jaunt out of town.

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• 

  Tara T.

  Scout

  Jun. 26, 2021

  Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park

  Easy Camping

  Green Lane is a beautiful park with a small campground. The spaces are right on top of each other with no tree cover between spots, so you’ll definitely be right up on your neighbors. The fire rings are big and frustrating, the fire sits on a lifted grate so you go through wood like crazy. Lovely park, lovely rangers, but not my favorite spot.

• E

  Echo

  Guide

  Sep. 23, 2021

  Elk Neck State Park Campground

  Good Intro to Camping

  I booked a tent site as my first introduction to the park. Setting up a reservation was incredibly user friendly, park staff was fantastic at getting us checked in, and the camp store was well stocked and priced. 

  Our site, however, left something to be desired. The sites were all very close together, and the tent pad areas were fairly small. You can drive right up to your site and park there, which is incredibly convenient in terms of unpacking and set up. Around our site was pretty loud with neighbors at all hours, regardless of quiet hours, and balls being kicked into our tent pad area from surrounding visitors. There were some bottle caps and garbage on our tent pad upon arrival.

  I think if you had kids and were looking for a "not so quiet" get away into nature, this would be a fantastic spot. There were larger and more private sites on our loop, and if I returned I would prioritize getting one of those. There are also more loops than the one we were on. 

  The firepit had an adjustable height grill grate, and there was a picnic table at each site. Firewood ran $5 a bundle at the camp store.  Ice and potable water was also available. 

  There was a nearby dumpster that was easy to use. Disappointed that there did not seem to be a recycling receptacle. Bathrooms were nice, the handicapped shower was very spacious. No shortage of hot water. 

  We hiked all available trails from the trail map, though it seems there were more than listed, and a portion of the park is closed following previous tornado damage. We saw an abundance of herps, gorged ourselves on pawpaws, and generally foraged and tracked a ton of interesting wildlife. The trails themselves were pretty, but the rankings somewhat misleading. The "hard" trails would be hard in comparison to a flat gravel path, but in terms of general hiking, were comfortable with only a couple mildly steep or narrow points. I am unsure if the ranking system is for general hiking or in terms of ADA accessibility, however. If accessibility, it makes a lot of sense. For hiking? Less so; I'd rank the trails as a normal difficulty for their 'hard' trails. 

  The beaches were lovely! We did not get the opportunity to kayak, swim, or fish, but are hoping to do that sometime in the future. Was still relaxing to sit out with a book and watch the water.

  I do feel like we explored most of what the park had to offer, so while I would be happy to return it feels less urgent to do so. I think I would be better equipped to pick a site (or explore a cabin!) the next time which would resolve my minimal issues. Given the relaxed atmosphere of the trails, close amenities, etc. I think this would be a good choice to bring friends who are new to the camping scene, or for families.

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