French Creek State Park offers quality equestrian camping near Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, with terrain ranging from 470 to 835 feet in elevation. The forest landscape includes both hardwood and conifer sections, with a mixed oak forest predominating throughout the region. Trail riders can typically expect mild spring and fall conditions, though summer humidity can make midday rides uncomfortable during July and August.
What to do
Trail riding at Fair Hill NRMA: The 5,600-acre natural resource management area maintains over 80 miles of trails through varied terrain. The trails connect with neighboring parkland for longer excursions. "Stayed here 2 nights without a reservation. We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week," notes Cheryl K. about nearby French Creek State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Several parks in the region offer fishing access within short drives. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," writes Jen R. at French Creek State Park.
Frisbee golf course: Some parks offer additional recreational options beyond riding. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder!" mentions another visitor at French Creek State Park.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the separation between sites at Hibernia County Park. "The sites are larger and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters," notes Jennifer S. about one of the camping loops. The park's small size creates a quieter atmosphere compared to larger facilities.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on visitor priorities. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean," shares Jen R. about her experience camping near Glen Mills.
Spacious sites: The campgrounds offering horse camping typically provide more room than standard sites. 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!" writes Craig F.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many equestrian campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season. Sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Limited hookups: Some equestrian camping areas offer minimal amenities. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank," warns Jennifer S. about one campground loop.
Terrain considerations: The region features rolling hills that can affect campsite selection. At Lums Pond State Park, "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," reports Mark about his camping experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When horse camping with children, having recreation options helps. "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," shares Jen R.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming facilities for after-ride relaxation. "There is a pool and another playground near the park office. Not to mention the many trails for walking, hiking or biking as well!" adds another camper about their experience at Blackbird State Forest.
Educational opportunities: The historical sites near equestrian camping facilities provide learning experiences. "The surrounding network of trails connects to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, providing additional riding opportunities," notes one experienced rider about the region.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: When bringing horses, choosing the right site matters. "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 her experience at French Creek State Park, which makes parking horse trailers easier.
Water access planning: Horse owners should research water availability beforehand. "There is one spigot at the 'bathroom'," notes Jennifer S. about one campground, highlighting the need to arrive with filled tanks when camping with horses.
Electric considerations: For those requiring electric for horse-related equipment, selecting the appropriate campground matters. At Star Lite Camping Resort, "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites," explains Craig F., making it suitable for some equestrian campers needing power.