Horse camping options in the Georgetown, Pennsylvania area are limited within the immediate vicinity. The region sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that brings warm summers and moderately cold winters. Most campgrounds in this region are situated in rolling woodland terrain with varying degrees of privacy between sites and moderate to difficult access for larger horse trailers.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: At French Creek State Park Campground, you'll find multiple trail systems suitable for day hikes. "We loved our stay at this park, and plan to return... 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 spans 7,526 acres with trails of varying difficulty levels.
Fishing opportunities: Chambers Lake at Hibernia County Park offers fishing access with specific areas designated for children. "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too," shares John Z. The children's pond is stocked regularly, making it ideal for young anglers.
Water activities: Several parks in the region offer water-based recreation. "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing, where we picnicked and hung out for an afternoon," says Katie M. about French Creek State Park. Motorized boats are restricted at many of these lakes.
What campers like
Site privacy: The natural spacing between campsites receives consistent praise at many campgrounds. At Starlite Camping Resort, "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover! Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded," reports Craig F.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary between parks, with some receiving high marks. "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. This contrasts with some of the more rustic options in the region.
Quiet environment: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, "Each campsite features a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood. The ground is dirt covered with woodchips and sometimes evergreen needles -- pretty easy to sleep in a tent," notes D R. The limited number of sites helps maintain the quiet setting.
What you should know
Campground amenities vary significantly: Facilities range from primitive to full-service across the region. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site(#56)... Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," reports Matt S. This contrasts with more rustic options nearby.
Equestrian access limitations: No dedicated horse camping facilities exist directly in Georgetown. Nearby options may permit horses on certain trails but require hauling in and out daily. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area is the closest option with equestrian trails, though it only offers group camping.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. Some smaller campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly during off-peak months.
Weather considerations: The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F. "We were hiking but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," reports one visitor to French Creek State Park, noting that summer heat can affect fishing success.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature play equipment for children. At Hibernia County Park, "Great playground," notes John Z. The playground facilities provide entertainment options when families need a break from hiking or water activities.
Swimming options: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides "Clean family friendly environment with tons of extra curricular activities for all," according to Heather P. The variety of recreational options makes it suitable for families with children of different ages.
Site selection for kids: When booking at French Creek State Park, consider the terrain. "The only bad part was that it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" shares Katie M. Sites in Loop D can be challenging for setting up larger family tents.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!" notes one camper at French Creek State Park, describing one of the many weekend activity options.
Tips from RVers
Electric service: At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R. The paved pads help with leveling, though hookups are limited to certain loops.
Hill navigation: The topography presents challenges at some campgrounds. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," warns Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort. The terrain requires adequate towing capacity for larger rigs.
Hookup locations: Setup configuration can be problematic at certain sites. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," reports Amanda H. about one campground. Bringing extension cords and longer water hoses can help manage these situations.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump facilities. At Hibernia County Park, there are "No hookups... There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee," notes Jennifer S. Planning for waste management is essential for longer stays.
