Montgomery County and Chester County offer several camping options within 30 miles of Devon, Pennsylvania. The area features rolling hills at elevations between 400-650 feet and experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with a few offering year-round operations.
What to do
Miniature golf courses: At Lake-In-Wood Campground in Narvon, families can enjoy mini golf throughout the season. "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance," notes Beth B., suggesting the course could use some updates but remains a popular activity.
Fishing ponds: Many local campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds for catch-and-release angling. "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," reports Steve R. about Spring Gulch Resort Campground, indicating fishing quality varies by location.
Live entertainment: Weekend entertainment is common at Thousand Trails Circle M in Lancaster. "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it," shares Leanne B., highlighting the family-friendly entertainment options available during peak season.
What campers like
Modern cabin accommodations: Spring Gulch Resort Campground offers newer cabin options beyond traditional tent and RV sites. "Some cabins, like those in my photos, are brand new and have everything you would need to set up house minus linens, towels, toilet paper, paper goods and toiletries," explains Phinon W., detailing the well-equipped nature of these accommodations.
Multiple swimming options: Several campgrounds feature both indoor and outdoor pools for extended swimming seasons. "There is an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site," mentions Leanne B. about her stay at Thousand Trails Circle M, appreciating the flexible swimming options regardless of weather.
Peaceful atmosphere: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers a quieter experience compared to larger private campgrounds. "Green Lane is a beautiful park with a small campground," notes Tara T., though she cautions that "spaces are right on top of each other with no tree cover between spots, so you'll definitely be right up on your neighbors."
What you should know
Elevation and terrain challenges: Sites at some campgrounds require leveling due to the rolling Southeastern Pennsylvania landscape. "We actually broke quite a few tent stakes just trying to get our footprint down," reports Phinon W. about Spring Gulch's rocky terrain.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: While private campgrounds typically offer full-service bathhouses, maintenance standards differ. "Upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter," explains Beth B. at Spring Gulch, suggesting guests should check multiple bathhouse options when available.
Seasonal crowds and reservations: Weekend occupancy rates spike during summer months at Sun Valley Campground in Narvon. "Weekend stay here and instead of leaving on Sunday, we booked another day. Great swimming pool, immaculately clean bathrooms and showers," shares Jim C., hinting at the popularity that necessitates advance bookings.
Tips for camping with families
Check activity schedules: Many campgrounds run organized activities primarily on weekends. "They had an art activity for the children, BINGO on Friday night, and a live band on Saturday night," Kim W. recalls about Robin Hill Campground, highlighting the importance of timing your stay around scheduled events.
Consider cabin rentals for first-time campers: For families new to camping, cabins provide an easier introduction. "We decided to camp in the fall and did a cabin since it was colder and we had the baby. We loved it!" explains Norm F. from Thousand Trails Circle M, detailing how cabin camping extends the season for families with young children.
Pool hours vary seasonally: Appalachian Camping Resort and other campgrounds may reduce pool operating hours during shoulder seasons. "Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week," Beth B. mentions about Spring Gulch, suggesting families should verify operating hours for water activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection and leveling: RV parks near Devon, Pennsylvania often have sloped terrain requiring leveling blocks. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else," Mary C. notes about Lake in Wood, recommending RVers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Seasonal occupancy factors: Many rv parks near Devon maintain a high percentage of seasonal residents. "90% of the people here are full time," Alan notes about Sun Valley Campground, which creates a different atmosphere than transient-focused parks.
Dump station timing: Village Scene Park in Hatfield has limited dump station hours. "There's a $20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends," Stuart K. advises, important information for weekend campers planning departure logistics.
