The rolling countryside near Atglen, Pennsylvania provides a mix of camping experiences within Pennsylvania Dutch country, ranging from full-service RV resorts to state park campgrounds. French Creek State Park Campground offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts across its 200-site property about 15 miles north of Atglen. Private campgrounds dominate the region, including Philadelphia-West Chester KOA and Spring Gulch Resort Campground, which accommodate tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays in scenic settings amid Amish farmland.
Seasonal considerations affect camping options throughout the area, with many private campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. "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," noted one visitor about French Creek State Park. Full hookup sites at most developed campgrounds include electric (30/50 amp), water, and sewer connections, though primitive tent sites are more limited in the region. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and fall weekends when the area's proximity to Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Hershey attracts weekend travelers.
Campers consistently mention the contrast between campgrounds in the area - some offering spacious, tree-lined sites while others have more compact layouts. One camper described their experience at French Creek State Park: "The campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend. Sites were short (45' long). The sites that aren't ADA have more space between them." Mixed-use campgrounds near Atglen typically provide amenities such as clean bathhouses, picnic tables, fire rings, and some recreational facilities. Many campgrounds in the region capitalize on their location between urban attractions and rural landscapes, serving as convenient bases for exploring Amish country, covered bridges, and nearby historical sites while providing basic camping facilities. Water features like lakes, ponds, and the Brandywine River enhance several camping areas, offering fishing, paddling, and scenic views.
$20 - $75 / 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."
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
"Site next to us had a pipe break, they had a maintenance crew come out immediately and fix it. Amish stores/attractions close by for some entertainment also."
"Fishing pond is a joke and near by Gun Range can be annoying and tough on pets. But, over all, this place is pretty nice."
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. "
"Not too close to each other. Has a great view of the valley and Amish farms. Everyone has been very friendly. No pool but the kids seem to enjoy the playground."
"This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark. Our site(# 837) was a good size for our motor home+ toad."
"We stayed at one of the primitive tent sites with no hookups adjacent to the farm field. Watching a horse drawn equipment cutting grass while we cooked dinner was a joy."
$59 - $86 / night
"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."
"Great, convenient location. Cost friendly considering the location. Clean grounds & maintained sites. Mix of open & shaded sites, all appear to be pretty level, our site was next to stream."
"The site was right next to the creek. Shade is perfect for our dogs. Office personnel were so very helpful. Office does close at 4 but that is due to staff shortages."
$57 - $70 / night
"Located w/in walking distance of small town of Intercourse, PA, with plenty of shopping and Amish crafts. Very friendly people. Inexpensive stay."
"Within walking distance are Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside. Restaurants are nearby. Clean and quiet area."
"Tent sites are lined up along the water which is great for fishing (especially when you need to stay close to the littles sleeping in the tent). Lots of benches lined up along the water."
"Not to noisy being next to a theme park. The bath house was just remodeled so it's excellent! Good price!"
$40 - $60 / night
"As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. "
"It rained the entire time I was there so we didn’t go in the pool but the campground is walkable, I was able to go running, there are things for kids to do, some animals to go visit on our walks, obviously"
ScoutThe park is very nice however the site H2 was the site assigned to us. The distance between our Coach and the fence was 7 feet and the bathhouse was blocking the view. I do not recommend this site.
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.
TravelerGreat location a updated grounds, sites and restrooms n bath houses. Local to hershey but out of the traffic.
Great vaction site for RVs n longer stays. Quiet n comfortable RV living!
ScoutNice campground had my 6 and 7 year old. The site was pretty private and had bathrooms close. I would definitely go again.
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.
GuideWe camp here several times thru out the year. Always an enjoyable stay. Staff is very friendly and accommodating.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
The camping areas surrounding Atglen, Pennsylvania sit at elevations between 400-800 feet in southeastern Pennsylvania's Chester County. This region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the high 80s and moderate winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds near Atglen require reservations at least 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
Fishing opportunities: 15-minute drive from Atglen at French Creek State Park Campground, where anglers can catch northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye and muskellunge in two lakes. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by," notes one visitor, adding that "ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored."
Amish farm tours: 25-minute drive to Intercourse, PA where visitors at Beacon Hill Camping can observe authentic Amish life. "Surrounded by Amish farm lands and shopping locations nearby. It's not a big campground but it's friendly, clean, and well maintained," reports one camper. Another mentioned, "In the field right behind our sight, two horses hooked to a trailer took off across the field headed for the village with a dog and 6 or 8 young Amish men and boys chasing them."
Water activities: Swimming and paddling options at multiple locations, with one camper noting about French Creek State Park: "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing, where we picnicked and hung out for an afternoon."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at certain campgrounds. At French Creek State Park Campground, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports one visitor. Another adds, "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept bathrooms. At Country Acres Campground, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed," reports one camper. Another remarked, "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected."
Convenient location: The best places to camp near Atglen provide excellent access to attractions. At Old Mill Stream Campground, campers enjoy "great access to Dutch Wonderland, outlets and other Lancaster County tourist attractions." Another visitor noted its strategic position: "It was a tranquil little spot right in the thick of it so kind of perfect! Peaceful grounds and friendly people. Pretty perfect and highly recommend."
Site specifications: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "Most of the campsite options are fairly level, but are very rocky, so this is something to keep in mind if you are tent camping. We have heavy duty solid steel pegs and still had trouble pegging everything down."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance bookings. For summer weekends at French Creek State Park, expect to book 2-3 months ahead as "the campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend." At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, holiday weekends often fill 4-5 months in advance.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby industrial operations. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing." Another camper at Old Mill Stream Campground mentioned, "Off a busy road but never heard any traffic at all - guess they are far enough away."
Theme parks and attractions: 30-minute drive from Atglen to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides abundant kid activities. "Very family friendly park. Cabins, RV, Tent - full amenities. Lots of things to do. A little pricy, but worth it especially with kids," writes one visitor. Another adds, "We stayed in C1 during the hottest week in the summer (so far). The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. The water park was GREAT for kids and adults. Super clean."
Playground facilities: Most family-friendly campgrounds have play areas. At Country Acres Campground, "The pool is new and has a sloped entrance so my two year old could play by himself and loved it. Playground was close and the store was even open until 9:00."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into your camping trip by visiting nearby historical sites. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," while another camper noted it's "close to Longwood Gardens; Wilmington, Delaware; and a handful of local museums and gardens."
Site selection strategy: Choose your specific site carefully. At Mill Bridge Village & Camp Resort, "Look at the map when selecting a site. The sites in the center are like a parking lot. Small, no shade and wide open. We prefer the creek side sites."
Hookup availability: Water access varies between campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water."
Maneuverability challenges: Large rigs face accessibility issues at some campgrounds. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer reported, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Atglen, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Atglen, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 83 reviews.
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