Camping opportunities near Edgemont, Pennsylvania feature heavily wooded areas with elevations ranging from 500 to 800 feet above sea level. Located in the Brandywine Valley watershed, the region experiences moderate rainfall year-round, creating lush forests and several creek access points for recreation. Winter camping is available at select campgrounds, with temperatures typically ranging from 25-45°F between November and March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, anglers can target several warm water fish species. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," notes one visitor.
Bird watching excursions: Fort Washington State Park offers excellent birding opportunities with observation decks. "Easy commute" with "bird viewing" capabilities makes this location popular with wildlife enthusiasts. The park features hawk watching platforms where seasonal migrations can be observed.
Kayak rentals: Hibernia County Park offers paddling on Chambers Lake. "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails," mentions a camper. Visitors can bring their own watercraft or rent from nearby outfitters, with electric motors only permitted on most park waters.
Go Ape adventure course: Lums Pond State Park features a treetop adventure course. "From the moment I pulled in and observed how large the sites were, I was hooked. Bike trails, Going Ape, kayaking and peaceful," shares one visitor. The course includes ziplines and challenging obstacles suspended above the forest floor.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives high marks for site size. "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site(#56). This place is a gem, even among nice state parks," explains one reviewer. The paved sites accommodate large rigs with full hookups.
Private wooded settings: Hibernia County Park offers secluded tent sites. "Fantastic weekend with family. 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," reports a visitor.
Pristine bathroom facilities: Modern restrooms enhance camping comfort. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," explains a Lums Pond camper. Most campgrounds offer hot showers, though primitive camping options have basic facilities.
Seasonal activities: Lake-In-Wood Campground offers year-round programming. "Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone). They did have a mini golf course too," mentions a visitor. Many campgrounds host weekend events during peak season.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular pet-friendly camping near Edgemont fills quickly. "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations. Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a regular visitor.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Hibernia County Park offers basic amenities. "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups," reports a camper. Water access may require walking to central spigots.
Pet restrictions by loop: French Creek State Park designates specific areas for pets. "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop," explains a reviewer.
Seasonal variations: Weather impacts accessibility at some sites. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" notes a winter camper at French Creek State Park, one of the few year-round facilities near Edgemont.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fort Washington State Park Campground offers recreation areas for children. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," shares a visitor.
Child-friendly fishing: Dedicated areas for young anglers. "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground," notes a visitor to Hibernia County Park, where young fishers can practice their skills.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites supplement camping experiences. "This is a beautiful state park with so many wonderful activities. There really is something for everyone here and if you can't find it you aren't looking very hard," explains a French Creek visitor. Many parks offer ranger programs focused on local ecology.
Indoor activities for rainy days: Some campgrounds provide sheltered recreation. "We were tent campers but there are a lot of RVs and options for a couple of cute cabins as well. It rained the entire time I was there so we didn't go in the pool but the campground is walkable," reports a Lake-in-Wood camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA requires preparation. "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," shares one RVer.
Hookup configurations: French Creek State Park has specific utility layouts. "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," explains a camper who navigated the partial hookup situation.
Arrival timing strategies: Early check-in maximizes setup time. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," notes a Lums Pond visitor who appreciated the time saved during setup.
Shower facilities: Comfort stations vary between campgrounds. "The showers were clean with some nice hot water but very small and difficult to change in," reports a Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA visitor. RVers without onboard bathrooms should check facility quality before booking.
