Tent campsites near Glen Riddle Lima, Pennsylvania sit within the rolling Piedmont region, characterized by gentle slopes and mixed deciduous forest. The area typically receives 45 inches of annual rainfall with average summer temperatures of 75-85°F. Most tent sites feature sandy or clay soil bases which can retain moisture after rain, making ground tarps essential for comfortable camping.
What to Do
Paddling opportunities: Tinicum Island offers boat-in camping access for those with watercraft. "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft," notes Bobby S. at Tinicum Island, making it ideal for kayakers and canoeists looking for a more remote tent camping experience.
Birdwatching: The regional parks feature significant seasonal bird migrations. At Fort Washington State Park Campground, an observation deck provides excellent viewing areas. "You can view beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both Spring and Autumn," according to Stuart K., who adds that species include "Dark-eyed Junco, Common Loon, Blue Heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagles."
Fishing: Multiple waterways near Glen Riddle Lima support fishing activities. "I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago," reports J K. at Evansburg State Park, noting that "you need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing license, currently $9.90."
What Campers Like
Private woodland settings: For campers seeking seclusion, several parks offer more isolated sites. "This hidden gem of a campground is beautiful. There is plenty of hiking trails," notes Chuck C. about Evansburg State Park Campground. The woodland setting provides natural privacy at many sites.
Creek access: Water features enhance many tent camping locations. Meg F. at Evansburg State Park describes, "Great place to creek hike, nice for horses," though she warns, "we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully." These creekside camping options provide both recreational opportunities and natural cooling during summer months.
Well-marked trail systems: Hibernia County Park features accessible trails directly from campsites. Anna notes, "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails," and adds that "each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with a built in grill" with "plenty of firewood to be found."
What You Should Know
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Washington Crossing State Park operates from "April 1 to October 31," while Hibernia County Park runs from "May to October" according to their official listings. Green Lane Park also maintains an "April - October" season.
Carry-in policies: Several sites require hauling gear from parking areas. At Wharton State Forest, Elliott B. explains, "I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going."
Group camping restrictions: Some parks primarily serve groups rather than individual campers. Stuart K. notes that Fort Washington State Park provides "group tenting area that fits 20 to 100 people that is ideal for clans, clubs or covert woodland think tanks," but warns of "no RV or tent-by-the-river solo camping: group-only policy means solo adventurers need to carpool or carry heavy guilt."
Toilet facilities: Restroom quality varies significantly between locations. Washington Crossing State Park has "basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings and stand-up BBQ grill" with "a few scattered water spigots and drinking fountains," according to a reviewer. Meanwhile, meghan G. describes Batona Campground facilities as "very basic" with "fresh water pump located at entrance to campground."
Tips for Camping with Families
Child-friendly fishing ponds: Hibernia offers designated fishing areas for younger anglers. John Z. highlights "inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under." Anna adds that "the children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing."
Playground access: Several parks feature play equipment near camping areas. Hibernia County Park offers a "great playground" according to John Z., making it suitable for families with younger children who need recreational options beyond hiking and water activities.
First-time friendly sites: Group Camp at Ridley Creek State Park provides excellent options for camping novices. "This place is great for first time campers," reports David K., who adds, "I go camping here almost every year and they have a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits. They also have a tone of trails to hike on."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most tent sites near Glen Riddle Lima have vehicle restrictions. At Wharton State Forest's Batona Campground, meghan G. notes, "Sites are suitable for tents or small campers. The unpaved road into the site is narrow and tree lined. A larger RV would not fit."
Ground conditions: Terrain varies considerably between campgrounds. Jennifer S. reports that at Hibernia County Park, "sites aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix" and that "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."
