2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Limited horse camping is available in the vicinity of Exton, Pennsylvania, with none of the surveyed campgrounds offering dedicated horse corrals according to facility listings. French Creek State Park Campground, located 10 miles northwest of Exton in Elverson, permits horses on designated trails but lacks specific equestrian camping facilities. The park maintains over 40 miles of trails through 7,526 acres of forest, some of which are accessible to horseback riders. Hibernia County Park in Coatesville allows day use for equestrians on select trails but similarly does not provide overnight horse accommodations. Sites at both parks accommodate various camping styles including tent and RV options, with French Creek also offering cabins and yurts for overnight stays.
Trail riders have access to the Horseshoe Trail which passes near French Creek State Park, connecting to a 140-mile system running from Valley Forge to Harrisburg. Equestrians planning overnight trips must make advance arrangements for their horses at private stables or equestrian centers in the area, as the campgrounds do not provide corrals, stalls, or designated horse camping areas. Trailer parking is available at day-use trailheads rather than overnight camping areas. The heavily wooded terrain offers scenic riding opportunities through hardwood forests and around lakes. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, located approximately 20 miles southwest in Maryland, provides more extensive equestrian facilities and is often recommended as an alternative for horse camping near the Exton region.
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"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."
from $15 - $50 / night
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
Horse camping in the Exton region is limited with few dedicated facilities for equestrians. Located in Chester County's rolling Piedmont region at approximately 300 feet elevation, this area experiences moderate seasonal temperatures with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows near 25°F. While dedicated equestrian camping is scarce, several parks maintain trail systems accessible to riders with proper arrangements.
Horseshoe Trail riding: Access this historic 140-mile trail system near French Creek State Park Campground, which connects riders to varied terrain. "There are a ton of picnic tables too so you can take a lunch and just sit by the lake to relax and have a bite to eat. We have also attending an Orienteering event here which was nation wide and really exciting," notes Jen R.
Lake activities: Enjoy fishing, kayaking or canoeing at multiple locations throughout the region. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run," reports Ellen C., who camped at French Creek.
Explore historic sites: Visit Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site adjacent to French Creek State Park. "Close by there is Hopewell National Furnace and St. Peter's Village with shops and restaurants and hiking trails as well," mentions one reviewer, highlighting the cultural attractions beyond nature activities.
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature natural separation between campsites. At Hibernia County Park, "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp," according to Jennifer S.
Clean facilities: Visitors appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean," writes Jen R. about French Creek State Park Campground.
Affordability: Many camping options provide good value. One reviewer noted Hibernia County Park is "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
Limited availability: Reservations are essential at popular campgrounds, especially during peak season. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations... Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B.
Horse facility restrictions: While trails permit horses, most campgrounds lack dedicated equestrian facilities. For overnight horse stays, contact Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in nearby Maryland for more extensive options.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain and amenities depending on loop location. "There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites. There are also several cottages, cabins and yurts available as well," explains a reviewer at French Creek.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Look for stocked ponds designated for young anglers. At Hibernia, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes Anna, adding that "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."
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas. "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," according to Jen R.
Trail difficulty levels: Choose appropriate hiking paths based on children's ages. "There are a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles," mentions Jennifer S. about Blackbird State Forest Campground, which provides manageable outdoor adventures for families.
Site selection for large rigs: Research specific sites that accommodate larger vehicles. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R. about French Creek State Park Campground.
Hookup location matters: Check utility placement when selecting sites. At Starlite Camping Resort, "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy... Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay," according to Craig F.
Terrain considerations: Be prepared for hilly terrain at certain campgrounds. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," advises Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort, while another camper notes that despite hilliness "the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Exton, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Exton, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Exton, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Exton, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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