1 campground with availability this weekend
Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA houses several upscale glamping accommodations approximately 20 minutes from Essington, with distinctive safari-style canvas tents that blend outdoor adventure with modern comforts. These glamping tents feature plush queen beds with linens, electricity, climate control, and private outdoor spaces for relaxation. Yurts at French Creek State Park Campground and Lums Pond State Park offer circular canvas structures with comfortable furnishings, electricity, and solid wood floors. Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest provides glamping cabins in a more secluded natural setting, while Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Elmer combines family-friendly theming with premium glamping accommodations. Most sites include Wi-Fi access, heated pools, and dedicated fire rings with seating areas. A visitor noted, "The glamping tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, but definitely had a good combination of woodsy and comfort."
Campers at these glamping destinations enjoy numerous recreational opportunities within short distances of their luxurious accommodations. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA maintains a catch-and-release fishing pond, playground facilities, and seasonal pool access just 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia attractions. Hiking trails at French Creek State Park complement the glamping experience with opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature photography. Lums Pond State Park adds boating options with yurt accommodations positioned for optimal water views. Many locations provide firewood delivery directly to sites, eliminating the need to transport supplies. Weekend activities often include organized events like outdoor movie nights and guided nature walks during peak seasons. According to a camper, "The staff were friendly and the tents were in a great spot, making it a perfect base for exploring Philadelphia while still having a natural camping experience."
"This is a nice KOA with full hook ups, tent sites,cabins, and even glamping cabins. There is a pool that is open Memorial Day- Labor Day."
"I arrived on a Tuesday a few days after they closed the pool, and by Wednesday I had the whole row of tent sites to myself."
"We stayed in Site# 51 in the Fence Loop- a pull-thru with 50-amp, water, and sewer. The hookups seemed to work just fine. The all-grass site just fit our 37’ motor home(see photos). "
"We were helping some friends get their house ready to sell and this was the only place that had a spot for the time frame we needed.)
The staff was nice and friendly. The place was well kept."
from $31 - $50 / night
"No pets though. B and C loop felt like the spaces were very close to each other. A loop was closed at this point."
"Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $75 / night
"The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area. Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side."
"The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $45 / 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."
"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."
from $59 - $86 / night
"They are new-ish Shasta campers, queen bed, 1 slide, rear bunks, 2 entrances. Very clean. Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area."
"We stayed fathers day weekend and they had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it."
"My wife and I chose site #10 based on its close proximity to the lake and fishing access. Even when I put my waders on, I pulled in algae almost every time. There is a ton of algae in this lake."
"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."
from $20 - $65 / night
"This was a nice large site in the“pet-friendly” section(sites 26-34) of the campground. Site 34 is close to Atsion Road, so there was car noise, but it wasn’t really an issue to us."
"AFC is also pet friendly, so bring your 4 legged furry family members, after registering them with the camp site. The individual sites are spacious with a pic-nick table and fire ring grill."
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
"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."
ScoutWe stayed at the group site campground with our horse. We found the sites to be large, and clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they have fall activities for the family, at the lake and nature hikes. The porta potty's are very clean, have hand sanitizer and plenty of paper. Will be returning again in a few weeks. Plenty of trails to ride on. A true gem in our own backyard.
LegendNestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
TravelerCountry Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
ScoutThe advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
GuideThis campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
ScoutThe campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
ScoutMy check in was for 8-6-2026, and bc I’m a new driver and wanted to beat traffic I got there early (7am) so I sit there waiting till check in time. When suddenly the park police show up. He’s accusing me of camping over night there. I told him simply I wasn’t and where I was night prior (would never sleep somewhere without permission). So we go to the store to kill time before we check in. Come back for Check in and the whole staff in just the office alone were so arrogant and cold to my mom and I, leaving rude comments to us and not only where they like that but the staff outside the office was acting like that alongside the rangers and park police. They would watch us the whole visit in the distance parking there cars a little ways watching everything we did,even driving by slowly a bunch of times in just an hour alone. My mom and I couldn’t do anything with out them showing up 2 mins later. Example we were walking our dog enjoying our time(trying to) and all of a sudden one of the office ladies pulls up right in front of us speeding, parks their car, gets out and walks a distance from us standing there and taking pictures of us…. For walking our dog who’s on a leash and didn’t even do anything. The whole trip we felt uncomfortable and unwanted and to find out they police when we were going on walks where coming up to campers near us bribing them with free firewood to get any information on use (told to us by other camper). I paid a lot of money to be harassed and followed the whole time. We never did anything we abide by every rule and keep to ourselves everywhere we go. They even made my mother cry…
Glamping and cabin camping options abound near Essington, Pennsylvania, located in Delaware County just 20 minutes southwest of Philadelphia. With elevations averaging 20-30 feet above sea level and the humid continental climate of the region, temperatures typically range from the mid-30s in winter to mid-80s in summer. Most camping areas sit along the Delaware River watershed with sandy soil composition requiring tent campers to bring additional ground padding.
Water activities on Chambers Lake: Hibernia County Park features non-motorized boating and fishing opportunities. "We spent time on Chamber's Lake (no swimming, or gas powered motors allowed), spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," notes one visitor who stayed at Hibernia County Park.
Hiking the trailheads: French Creek State Park offers multiple hiking trails through wooded terrain with varying difficulty levels. A camper explains, "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," showing the year-round appeal of French Creek State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Lums Pond: Delaware's largest freshwater pond provides kayak rentals and peaceful paddling areas. A visitor commented, "Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," highlighting the variety of outdoor activities available at this location.
Clean shower facilities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA maintains modern bath facilities with hot water. According to one reviewer, "The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds," emphasizing the cleanliness that differentiates this Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA from other options.
Wooded privacy: Atsion Family Camp sites provide natural barriers between camping areas. "While we were surrounded by other campers, we enjoyed how private it was!!!" shares a visitor who appreciated the secluded feel of Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest.
Accessible location: Most glamping sites near Essington sit within 30-45 minutes of the city. "I arrived on a Tuesday a few days after they closed the pool, and by Wednesday I had the whole row of tent sites to myself. Maybe that's why it was so peaceful, but every night after my cacophonous conference in Philadelphia, I couldn't wait to turn down Timberlane Road and see that little KOA sign glowing in the darkness," describes a business traveler who found respite at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Reservation timing: Peak season reservations for popular glamping sites should be made 3-6 months in advance. A camper at Lums Pond noted, "I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond. I don't know if it's the host campers or the management, but they're definitely doing something right."
Site dimensions: Some premium glamping sites have space limitations for larger vehicles. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, a visitor observed, "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."
Seasonal closures: Several glamping operations close during winter months. "You can now reserve online... This campground is only open on the weekends, in season," explains a frequent visitor to Hibernia County Park, highlighting the importance of checking operating schedules.
Splash pad alternatives: When looking for glamping in Essington, Pennsylvania with water features, consider Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park). "The water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area," reports a family who stayed at Adventure Bound Campground.
Playground proximity: Some family-friendly sites position play areas near camping zones. At Parvin State Park, a camper noted, "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
Children's fishing areas: Dedicated fishing spots for younger anglers exist at several parks. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," mentions a visitor to Hibernia County Park, referencing special accommodations for younger campers.
Full hookup availability: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers premium sites with all connections. "The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms," reports a winter visitor who appreciated the infrastructure.
Leveling considerations: Many glamping sites near Essington require leveling equipment. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," shares an RVer who stayed at Lums Pond.
Water access planning: Some parks have limited water hookup locations. A camper at Old Cedar notes, "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Essington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Essington, PA is Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Essington, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 45 glamping camping locations near Essington, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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