Situated in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Exton offers access to rural and woodland camping areas with elevations ranging from 350 to 550 feet above sea level. The area's moderate climate allows for camping between April and October, with July temperatures averaging around 85°F. Many cabins near Exton feature electricity but rarely include linens or cookware, so campers need to plan accordingly.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: French Creek State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems for hikers of all abilities. "There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," notes Katie M. The park includes two lakes—Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake—where visitors can fish for species including "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish."
Water activities: At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, visitors can enjoy paddling on the Brandywine River. "The sites, particularly those on the Brandywine River, have amazing views. They are close enough for you to camp with a group, but most also have a small fence between each site to clearly delineate between the sites," explains Phinon W. The campground offers canoe rentals, making it easy to explore the waterway.
Amish country exploration: From Beacon Hill Camping, visitors can experience authentic Amish culture. "Located within walking distance of small town of Intercourse, PA, with plenty of shopping and Amish crafts," reports John H. The campground places you in the heart of Amish farmland, with Mike H. adding, "Within walking distance are Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Lancaster-New Holland KOA consistently receives praise for its upkeep. "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," shares Nicole S. This attention to cleanliness extends to the bathrooms, which campers frequently mention.
Privacy between sites: French Creek State Park Campground offers good separation between camping areas. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," notes Jen R. This sentiment is echoed by another camper who writes, "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."
Premium site options: Several cabin rental locations near Exton feature upgraded camping spots. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "The Prime Sites are very spacious," according to Steve R. Similarly, Philadelphia-West Chester KOA features "premium sites with a paver patio with Adirondack chairs, a nice table with four chairs and built in fire pit!" as observed by Ray L.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most cabin rental options have limited availability during winter months. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, the season runs "Apr 15 to Oct 31," while Beacon Hill Camping operates from "Apr 1 to Nov 1." However, Elk Neck State Park Campground offers year-round cabin options, with one visitor noting they had "full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November."
Reservation requirements: Popular cabin locations fill quickly, especially on weekends. Laure D. advises that Elk Neck State Park has various accommodation types available: "Stayed in the North East loop and there are mini cabins available as well." At French Creek State Park, campsites can be booked online, with one visitor noting "The website is very easy to use and you can also call a phone number and they can help you book your stay at any State Park."
Bathhouse conditions vary: Quality of shower facilities differs between campgrounds. At Spring Gulch, one visitor reported the "Upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter." Meanwhile, Elk Neck State Park received praise as "The lovely camp host, Carol, kept the bathhouse spotless," according to Adam and Suzanne B.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville provides extensive activities for children. "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!" exclaims Karla R. Another visitor mentions, "We did a birthday package where they brought a cake to the camp with Booboo for my daughter. They have the pools and playgrounds and fishing."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA has "two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool," according to Phinon W. French Creek State Park features "a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground."
Quiet locations for naps: For families with young children needing daytime rest, Lancaster-New Holland KOA provides a peaceful environment. "Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," reports Cheryl K. about a similar campground. Another visitor describes it as "Quiet campground with friendly neighbors" where children can maintain regular sleep schedules.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: When staying at cabin rentals near Exton with an RV, carefully check site dimensions. At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, one camper advised, "The entire park itself is fairly small as well," while another noted at Beacon Hill Camping, "This is a small campground that is a little tight for big rigs. We did manage to fit two 40' motorhome's with planning."
Utility hookups: For those bringing RVs, French Creek State Park offers various hookup options. "Loop C Site 36...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," shares Ranger Jen. This partial hookup system is common at state parks in the region.
