Camping near Glen Mills, PA

Camping spots near Glen Mills, Pennsylvania range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level in the Brandywine Valley, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity. Winter camping is available at select locations, with temperatures typically falling to 25-35°F between December and February.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: 5-acre Scotts Run Lake at French Creek State Park Campground offers multiple species including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, and muskellunge. "I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore," notes one visitor about early season fishing conditions.

Lighthouse hiking: Turkey Point Lighthouse Trail at Elk Neck State Park Campground provides scenic views of Chesapeake Bay after a moderate 1.6-mile hike. "The lighthouse trail is a must. It is about a five minute drive to get to the trail though, but is worth it!" explains a camper who visited the park. The lighthouse itself is typically open for tours on weekends.

Water recreation: Brandywine River at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides calm waters for kayaking and canoeing. "This campground is right on a creek with availability to use canoes," reports one visitor. The river's gentle current makes it suitable for beginners and families with children.

What campers like

Private, wooded sites: Sites at Hibernia County Park offer natural separation and hammock opportunities. "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," explains one experienced camper who visits frequently.

Clean, modern facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives high marks for its updated bathhouses. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," shares one visitor. Another adds, "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms."

Group camping: Ridley Creek State Park accommodates larger camping parties with dedicated group sites. "I go camping here almost every year and they have a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits," reports a regular visitor. Another notes, "There is only group tenting here. I would stay over in a heartbeat though as I'm always here!"

What you should know

Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. At French Creek State Park, "Sites can be reserved online, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration." For popular weekends, some parks require specific booking procedures: "Hibernia annually hosts the 'Old Fiddlers Picnic' the second weekend in August. This is the only weekend that you are REQUIRED to call in to reserve."

Site challenges: RV positioning at Brandywine Creek Campground can be tricky. One camper with a larger motorhome reported: "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."

Winter camping: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA operates year-round but with limited services in winter. "We stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family in Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was quick and responsive. Note - this does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas for different age groups. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived. There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool."

Family-friendly hiking: Ridley Creek State Park offers gentle trails suitable for young children. "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park," notes one parent. Another family mentions: "I had the best time here hiking up and down the mini mountains. The water was clear and beautiful and I absolutely loved it."

Budget-friendly options: Hibernia County Park provides affordable camping close to Glen Mills. "Great price at $15/night as well. The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," reports a family who visited with children ages 3-12. "The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: French Creek State Park offers relatively level RV pads. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," explains one RVer. Another notes, "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus."

Utility positioning: Some campgrounds have unusual utility hookup arrangements. "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," reported one RVer about their experience.

Premium sites: Some campgrounds offer upgraded sites with additional amenities. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, premium sites include "patio furniture on a paver patio and seating around an upgraded fire pit. The landscaping made up for the tight squeeze." These premium sites often cost $25-35 more per night than standard sites.