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Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Camping near Havertown, PA
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Camping options within 30 miles of Havertown, Pennsylvania range from established campgrounds to boat-in primitive sites. The Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, located in Clarksboro, New Jersey, provides full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Group camping is available at Ridley Creek State Park just a few miles from Havertown, while Fort Washington State Park offers tent camping in a wooded setting. Several parks in the region maintain cabin facilities, including French Creek State Park Campground about 30 miles northwest, which features cabins, yurts, and both tent and RV sites.
Access to campgrounds around Havertown varies seasonally, with some facilities like French Creek State Park open year-round while others have limited availability. Many established campgrounds require reservations, particularly for cabin accommodations or group sites. The camping areas closest to Philadelphia generally have well-maintained facilities but limited privacy due to their proximity to urban areas. Water and electric hookups are common at larger campgrounds, though primitive camping options exist at places like Tinicum Island, which is accessible only by boat. As one camper noted, "Beautiful area to hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back."
State parks in the region receive consistently positive reviews for their hiking opportunities and natural surroundings. Ridley Creek State Park garners particular praise for its trail system and pet-friendly policies. One reviewer highlighted that the park has "well marked trails great for hiking. Pet friendly! We love walking here with our dog. There are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in!" Urban camping alternatives exist closer to Philadelphia, including boat-based "glamping" at Pier 5 Marina. Overnight parking at retail establishments represents another option for self-contained RVs, though reviews indicate varying levels of safety and noise. The camping experience changes dramatically with distance from Philadelphia, with quieter, more nature-focused options available at greater distances from the city center, while urban-adjacent sites offer convenience at the cost of tranquility.
Best Campgrounds near Havertown (121)
1. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
"They also have a catch and release pond and we found a pickleball court at a nearby city park."
"In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods"
2. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
"We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
3. French Creek State Park Campground
"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."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
4. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"It's almost 500 acres filled with trails, woods,and river. I usually go to the parking right off of Militia hill rd.and Skippack Pike intersection."
"m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
5. Evansburg State Park Campground
"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
6. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"Everything was within close walking distance and the staff were extremely helpful. Pool and bathrooms were very clean."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $86 / night
7. Tinicum Island
8. Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina: Urban Glamping
Check Availabilityfrom $120 - $145 / night
9. Alverthorpe Private Park
"year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked"
Check Availabilityfrom $1 - $100 / night
10. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
Drive Time
- 26 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 39 min from Trenton, NJ
- 49 min from Reading, PA
- 57 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Havertown, PA
253 Photos of 121 Havertown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOAM
Evansburg State Park Campground
Philadelphia-West Chester KOAR
Brandywine Creek Campground
Old Cedar CampgroundS
Four Seasons Family Campground
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Boulder Woods Campground
Hibernia County ParkJ
Tranquil Creekside Camp
French Creek State Park Campground
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Recent Reviews near Havertown, PA
894 Reviews of 121 Havertown Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Peggy C.
TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Guide to Havertown
Cabin camping opportunities near Havertown, Pennsylvania range from rustic group sites to premium riverside accommodations. Located in the Piedmont Uplands region with elevations between 200-500 feet, this area experiences moderate precipitation year-round with summer highs averaging 86°F and winter lows around 26°F. Winter camping requires preparation as nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Fishing at Lums Pond State Park: Just 32 miles from Havertown, this park offers year-round fishing with multiple warm water species. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes one frequent visitor to Lums Pond State Park Campground. The pond requires electric motors only and a fishing license.
Hiking at Evansburg State Park: Located 16 miles from Havertown, this park offers moderate trails through wooded areas. A camper reports, "I've spent countless hours hiking and fishing in Evansburg. Since he was 2 years old I've taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for 'adventures'." Evansburg State Park Campground follows a carry-in, carry-out policy for trash.
Canoeing at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA: This campground sits on the Brandywine River, providing water recreation opportunities 25 miles from Havertown. "This campground is right on a creek with availability to use canoes," mentions one reviewer at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA. The river is typically calm enough for beginners, with rental options available on-site during peak season.
What campers like
Private sites at French Creek: Campers consistently praise the secluded nature of sites at this state park. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," shares one visitor to French Creek State Park Campground. The park maintains four separate camping loops with varying levels of privacy.
River views at Brandywine KOA: Premium riverside sites offer direct water access and natural separation. "The sites, particularly those on the Brandywine River, have amazing views. They are close enough for you to camp with a group, but most also have a small fence between each site to clearly delineate between the sites," reports a camper at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA. These premium sites cost $80-95 per night during peak season.
Clean facilities at state parks: Multiple parks maintain well-serviced restrooms and common areas. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," notes a camper at Lums Pond State Park. Most state park facilities include hot showers and outdoor dishwashing stations.
What you should know
Limited boat access camping: Tinicum Island offers the only completely boat-in camping option near Havertown. "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft," confirms a visitor to Tinicum Island. The island maintains a primitive camping policy with no facilities, requiring complete self-sufficiency for overnight stays.
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds operate limited schedules. "This does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change," advises a Philadelphia South KOA camper. Always check current operating schedules, especially from November through March.
Group camping restrictions: Some parks limit camping to organized groups only. Fort Washington State Park allows "group camping by reservation only, not nightly camping for individuals," explains a reviewer. These restrictions typically require minimum group sizes of 20-30 people and advance reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds for different ages: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived and they had just broken ground. There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages," shares a visitor about Fort Washington State Park Campground. Most playgrounds are centrally located near bath houses.
Kid-friendly trails: Several parks maintain trails suitable for young hikers. "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back," mentions a visitor to Ridley Creek State Park. Look for loop trails under 2 miles with minimal elevation changes for best results with children.
Activities beyond hiking: Many campgrounds offer structured recreation options. "They have activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool. Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes," notes a camper at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA. Most organized activities operate weekends only during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Premium sites may pose access challenges at some campgrounds. "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," warns a visitor at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA. Call ahead to confirm turning radius and approach angles for sites when bringing rigs over 35 feet.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer comprehensive services. "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site. This place is a gem, even among nice state parks," reports a camper at Lums Pond State Park. Reservation systems typically allow filtering by electrical amperage and hookup type.
Proximity to urban necessities: Most campgrounds in the area provide easy access to supplies. "Close to shopping if needed," mentions a Lums Pond camper. Most of the best places to camp near Havertown, Pennsylvania are within 15 minutes of groceries, pharmacies, and basic supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated camping sites near Havertown for weekend trips?
What are the top-rated camping sites near Havertown for weekend trips?
For weekend trips from Havertown, Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest is highly rated for its natural setting and water activities. The forest offers peaceful campsites with good privacy, perfect for a quick nature escape. Another excellent option is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park, which provides convenient access from Havertown with beautiful wooded surroundings and hiking trails. For those seeking more amenities, the Cracker Barrel locations in Ridley and Clinton offer convenient overnight options for RV travelers. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Tinicum Island provides a unique boat-in camping experience. Most of these locations are within a 30-60 minute drive from Havertown, making them ideal for weekend getaways without extensive travel time.
How much does camping cost at sites near Havertown?
How much does camping cost at sites near Havertown?
Camping costs near Havertown vary by amenities and location. At Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest, sites typically range from $20-25 per night for standard campsites with basic amenities. For budget options, several overnight parking locations like Walmart — Hamilton Supercenter offer free overnight stays for self-contained RVs. If you're looking for more amenities, campgrounds with electrical hookups and shower facilities usually cost between $30-50 per night. State parks generally offer the best value, while private campgrounds with full hookups and resort-style amenities can range from $45-75 per night. Most campgrounds also have additional fees for extra vehicles, pets, or premium waterfront sites.
Where are the best campgrounds near Havertown, PA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Havertown, PA?
For nature-focused camping near Havertown, French Creek State Park Campground offers excellent car camping with hiking trails and a lake, making it a perfect escape from city life. Another great option is Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, located in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills. This well-maintained KOA provides easy access to downtown Philadelphia while still offering a peaceful camping experience. If you prefer a more urban setting, consider Fort Washington State Park Campground or the unique Village Scene Park, which is located within the suburban Philadelphia area. For those seeking a water-based experience, Ridley Creek State Park offers group camping facilities with convenient access from Havertown.
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