Downingtown is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Downingtown is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Downingtown and user-submitted reviews.
In Pennsylvania, the once industrious geography of North Coventry and Warwick now serves as home to 7,730 acres of protected wilderness known as French Creek State Park. Right in the heart of the Schuylkill Highlands, the park’s boundaries make up the largest mass of forested space between anywhere in Washington D.C. and New York City. The diverse land consisting of forests, wetlands, marshes, and sleepy bluffs throughout have become a top destination for the people of southeast Pennsylvania to hike, fish, camp, and bike.
At a point long ago, before the industrial revolution, the land was once dominated by ancient forests of American chestnut. Sadly, in 1771 foresters started to clear these trees, in order to create charcoal for the furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. However, the forests were still allowed to regrow, with routine clearing scheduled every 25 years thereafter. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883, and its impact on the regional environment was undeniable. The once wooded hillsides, towering trees, and babbling brooks that once existed now appeared as a barren wasteland in many areas. The ecological outlook was looking dim, that is until President Roosevelt started the CCC in 1993 as a response to economic turmoil created by the Great Depression.
During the same time, Governor Gifford Pinchot invited the CCC to assist in reclaiming this special land, and they subsequently worked to clear the forests and streams of brush. To commemorate the work, they began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace as well as the creation of many of the facilities still in use today at the park. Among these facilities are several tent camping areas, two group camps, picnic shelters, two small dams and lakes, and even the extensive network of roads and trails that snake throughout the park.
Today, the second growth has brought with it a rebirth of life and wonder to the region. This massive expansion of protected land is now home to a multitude of rare animals and plants, not commonly found in the region. For example, French Creek State Park is an Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society, and an Important Mammal Area as designated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Pine Swamp is a State Park Natural Area. The park is now known for its diverse fishing, large abundance of wild game for hunt, and it’s plethora of outdoor recreation activities available within.
Visitors to the park have a few options for overnight accommodations. The campground itself is well suited for both large and small groups, as well as individuals. In total, 201 modern sites accommodate thousands of visitors annually. The campground also boast a range of amenities, including a centrally located shower and toilet facility. Additionally, there are ten cozy cabins with heat and electricity. Finally, there are two historic group camping CCC Cabins available. The facilities include dining halls, central washhouses, and cabins for campers and staff.
$23 / night
The newly-renovated campground offers sites with three-point hookups (water, electric and sewer), as well as four horse campsites without hookups. If you prefer a bed to a bedroll, stay in one of our yurts! These round stationary structures with canvas walls feature a single and double bed bunked together, a double bed-sized futon, an outdoor seating area, and outdoor deck.
Campgrounds at Cape Henlopen, Killens Pond, Lums Pond and Trap Pond State Park are open year-round. The Cottages at Indian River Marina are also open year-round, and the campground at Delaware Seashore State Park is open year-round, although during the winter months, it is open for self-contained units only.
The Division of Parks and Recreation has a Central Reservation Service. Although reservations are not required, we strongly recommend that you make one to ensure that accommodations are available. There is no additional expense to make a reservation.
Reservations can be placed for campgrounds, cabins, yurts, the Cottages at Indian River Marina, and Fort Delaware tours, and Killen's Pond Waterpark..
$6 - $42 / night
Lake In Wood Camping Resort is “home to the gnomes” because it is a friendly place, built to suit the lifestyles of today’s campers (even the knee-high ones). From a weekend in your tent to a beautiful cabin rental, this resort becomes a treasured “Home Away from Home!”
The resort features a magnificent entertainment hall with a beautifully restored pipe organ for hosting grand parties and resort gatherings. Other pavilions are available for smaller groups (the Gnome Bridge Club are regulars). Adults can enjoy the picturesque views and intimate setting of the lake-view terrace.
$40 - $60 / night
Located on 63 lush, wooded acres that adjoin a scenic, 100-acre county park in Southern Lancaster, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Quarryville, Pennsylvania offers a breathtaking camping experience the whole family will enjoy! When our campers aren’t busy swimming and splashing at Yogi Bear’s Water Zone or bouncing high on our jumping pillows, they can enjoy endless outdoor attractions that will keep everyone busy from dawn ’till dusk. Just a short drive to any of the Amish Country and Hershey area attractions, Jellystone Park™ is the perfect spot to start making camping memories that will last a lifetime!
The campground is open Friday and Saturday nights only. Two camping units are permitted at each site, one unit must be a tent. Sleeping in personal vehicles is not permitted.
$15 - $50 / night
At Philadelphia South/ Clarksboro KOA enjoy the peaceful, country campground experience and the convenience of Camden, NJ and downtown Philly only a short 20 minutes away.
If you live in the City of Brotherly Love, sometimes it is nice to have a nearby rustic escape. Or, perhaps you are a visitor who wants to combine your sightseeing with some rest and relaxation. Our camping sites near Philadelphia are the perfect solution. We offer tons of comfortable amenities and exciting on-site activities to ensure a memorable stay for your whole family.
Whether you want to teach the kids how to pitch a tent or you need an affordable basecamp for your Philly adventures, we cannot wait to host your stay at our local KOA just mere miles from Philadelphia.
Nestled along a quiet stream on 15 acres, Old Mill Stream Campground at Dutch Wonderland offers modern camping amenities and is conveniently located just steps away from the castle door of Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park and other area attractions including outlet shopping, restaurants, and theaters.
Campground Features Include:
Family Cabins Tent Sites, Partial Hook-Up Sites, and Full Hook-Up Sites Old Mill Stream Campground does not guarantee water from November 1st to April 1st due to varying temperatures. Park Model Clean and Modern Restrooms Two Laundromats Playground Country Store Discounted Dutch Wonderland tickets available to Campground Guests
With a long list of nearby attractions and on-site amenities, the western-themed Circle M RV campground in the heart of Amish Country is one of our largest camping resorts. There are many organized activities for children at Circle M RV Campground. Whether you want to sit back and relax or take an excursion to a local attraction, you will find Circle M RV Campground conveniently located. We have easy access sites, some with three point hook-ups. Be sure to plan a trip that includes a stop at Circle M RV campground and you'll fall in love with the beautiful streamside settings and friendly staff.
In the heart of the Eastern Pennsylvania wilderness, there’s an exciting escape for RVers, campers, and hikers of all ages. Blue Rocks Family Campground occupies over 100 acres of beautiful forest divided by mountain streams and is surrounded by miles of hiking trails that offer incredible views of the Pennsylvania countryside. Topped off with our breathtaking Blue Rocks boulder field that gives our camp its name, Blue Rocks Family Campground is truly the definition of an amazing outdoor Pennsylvania experience. We can’t wait to see ya!
We stayed in loop C that allows pets. Very spacious sites. The paved parking spot was tight but a short walk down to the spacious fire pit picnic table area.
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.
A beautiful spot with plenty of space, a fire pit with grill and a table. We came in late on a Saturday after it was dark and couldn’t figure out where it was, the location on the map is slightly wrong. To get directions google maps to Deer Woods Campground. We paid the ranger in the morning, he said they upped the price to $50 if you are from out of county so that was a bummer.
We recently went camping with a tent there. Not tent friendly first night we slept on rocks second night we got moved to a spot which actually had some grass. Everything has weird hours. The cafe is only open on weekends and the store is only open from like 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. and that's it. The pool hours are good they're from 11:00 to 7:00. The bath houses are fine. It's just that there's nothing to do in the morning time nothing at all the lake that you want to call it or river it was all green like there's better campsites out there but this one isn't that bad If you're just staying for a night or two but just do not use a tent.
We camped here to hike and visit Havre de Grace. For a State Park it's pretty nice. We have a tiny camper so we stayed on the Acorn loop which has a few sites with power. Our site was really good and I love that it had it's own access to the bathrooms. Quite a few of the inner loop sites do. If you're a tent camper Acorn has some very private and secluded sites. Beechnut sites are more open and close to the road. It also seemed more crowded and noisy over there. There is a hiking trail right off Acorn loop which was nice, with options for easy or difficult. The staff were super friendly and the bathrooms were kept clean. There was quite a bit of poison ivy though and we had to keep the dogs on tight leashes. Phone service is very spotty but if you wander around Beechnut you can pick some up. Lots of great hiking and there are a couple of great tubing and fishing areas. I would camp there again.
Staying in C loop and here are some tips. If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27. You park at the top of the site and walk your tent and gear down a small slope where you can set up your tent. A little further down is a large-ish area with a fire pit and table. You can't see the roady from there and it looks like a great place to get away from it all!
Other sites around C27 have similar set-ups but not so far off the road.
Stayed for over a month .very nice and roomy camp site .very close to poconos (golfers)and Lehigh Valley Bethlehem pa.
Camped overnight
We stayed in Site 122, a Red Carpet Pull-Thru RV site, at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort South Jersey for Father’s Day weekend. This was our third stay at this campground, but the first since new owners took over and converted it to a Jellystone.
THINGS I LIKED:
1. Everything, including our site, was in great condition, clean, and good working order
2. Our site was directly across from the Pavilion which was great for Saturday night’s live band
3. Our site included a nice concrete pad big enough to park our 45’ motorhome+ toad
4. Our site was roomy with plenty of mature shade trees
5. The pool and surrounding amenities are nice and clean including lake, snack bar, and ice cream
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Absolutely, this is a nice place for a few days of downtime.
Great spot
My husband stayed here as a kid and wanted to revisit it. It was a great stay! Very easy going place and so well kept up. Some of the cleanest camp bathrooms and showers I have seen. A small amusement park to the side (very local and quiet sound never bothered us) and a small creek to the back of it. Off a busy road but never heard any traffic at all - guess they are far enough away. 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. Weather was sublime. Easy to drive to bird in hand too!
Beautiful camp ground! Very family oriented and a great place for a weekend getaway in the woods! The access trail to The Pinnacle is a little steep, wouldn’t recommend kids under the age of 12 taking that path.
Had a nice time camping for two nights. If you like small breweries, about 20 minutes away is Stewarts Brewpub. They have been around since the 1990s!
Great secluded campground, peaceful. Great bath houses, always super clean.
Some engineering genious put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers….keep your shoes handy, its a hike. Meanwhile Mr and Mrs 12 slideout supernova with 5 bathrooms and a washer/dryer get the closest spot to a quick potty/shower break.
Nice new gravel and hook ups. Spacious sites. Large stream with fishing. WiFi good. ATT poor.
The campground is very clean, nice spots with gravel and nice views. The store was stocked well with essentials, and the women running the store was very helpful and friendly. The campground is very well lit and can be navigated easily at night. The bathhouse was clean and only 1 bout of cold water why showering but a quick on and off of the water did the trick. The only downfall for us was the limited things to do with a child. They have a swinger but nothing else. It's hard to entertain on rainy days.
Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites. Very level and spaced apart from neighbor is you pick the right spots. We were in 17 which looked out to open space and woods. If it rains, some sites are flooded. Not much going on for activities in March. Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat.
Been here many times over the years. Most recently stayed New Years Eve weekend. Had a homeless couple living in a pop up camper next to use but kept to themselves. Park Rangers drove through constantly at least 10 times a day slowly looking into our site. Sites are extremely close together in some areas. The layout sometimes had it where the sites next to your had their fire ring behind your camper while other sites you could be 50 yards from the next site. In winter only a couple loops open and water is turned off. Most sites around the back of the loops are very rocky terrain and get very muddy when it rains.
This is a very nice campground that has been improved....little rough with getting our camper level in the site we selected. New bathrooms which were clean, but we went in November , so showering in there would have been rough, so we used our camper shower. Lots of neat things nearby such as an apple orchard. Hiking and biking this park is fun. It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!
Great spot, not the easiest to find with google maps but we managed. Our site was nice and secluded. Site 51 easily fit 3 tents and 2 cars. Definitely beware of chiggers and ticks! Deet is necessary. There are grocery stores close by like Walmart about 20 minutes away. The beach is nice and clean. We rented canoes near the beach. We were told not to go in the water outside of the roped off area where the life guards are because of the algae. Overall would recommend for a weekend. Bathrooms were clean and had hot water for showers in August.
Peaceful, serene, and a little slice of heaven with super clean bathrooms and friendly host
Lake Towhee Park Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy. Overall Rating: 4.5 Usage during visit: Empty Site Privacy: Outside sites: Great Site Spacing: Very large sites Site surface: Gravel Road Noise: Far from busy roads. Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Bathroom: One bathroom Showers: I was told that there are showers. I did not verify. Pull Throughs: All we’re back in sites. Setting: Deciduous forest with nice fall color . There are trails from the campground to the lake. Day use are with playground is walking distance. Weather: Perfect fall weather. Bugs: None in October. Solar: Some sites will probably be open enough for some solar time during the day Host: Not during my October visit. Rig size: I do not advise large rigs. Sites: All sites are good because most are large and all are nicely spaced. The outside sites look especially cozy and private.
Stayed one night in C-loop in the Fall and it was excellent!! Weather was great, the lack of people was perfect, and the facilities were more than comfortable. Sites ranging from level with asphalt and sidewalks to the fire pit to near-natural for that full tent camping experience. Plenty of full hook-ups interspersed with electric only and no services. Something for everyone.
The state park has numerous hiking and biking opportunities and probably some fishing as well. The lake and pool facilities were closed but the scenery was still in full effect.
They allow to dump and fill fresh water (sign at the entrance says that as well) for a small 10$ which is quite nice. Was quick and convenient, lady at the front desk was very kind!
We've been here a couple of times. Sites are paved and mostly level. Full hookups on all sites.
Campground is separate from everything else I. The park - good and bad. Clean bathrooms
This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more. They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget. The place is so clean including the bathrooms. Everyone we came in contact with staff wise was so friendly. I would love to come back if I was looking for a place close to home. I loved how they brought you to your site with the golfcart and the guy was so helpful with helping my husband back up (a fight to avoid lol) they also would deliver firewood to your fire ring which was a awesome touch.
The park itself is beautiful.
First, there is absolutely no privacy. The campsites are right next to each other with hardly any trees. The more dense woods is on the other side of the trail. You can see everything other campers do any they can see everything you’re doing.
Second, The campground is ON the hiking trail so everyone doing the loop walks along the sites. Including people with dogs off leash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Downingtown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Downingtown, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 74 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Downingtown, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 glamping camping locations near Downingtown, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
