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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.
"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"
"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"
from $57 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $28 - $72 / night
Check Availability"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”."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $59 - $86 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $120 - $145 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $1 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $40 / night
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ScoutWe needed a pit stop….as a pit stop it serves its purpose…..would not stay here more than a night. Lots of seasonal run down campers. Tarps over campers. Bathrooms are neglected. Agree with previous reviewer that they have given into the seasonal camper.
ScoutChoose another campground unless you are certain you can arrive before 4pm. Otherwise, you'll not be allowed in. Owner is belligerent on this point, and from other comments, belligerent on other issues also.
We strongly recommend the nearby French Creek State Park campground.
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
ScoutWe stopped here overnight on our way down south. Very convenient location, nice large lawn with beautiful tall shade trees, bathroom was extremely clean and you can see were just recently renovated. They had a pool and some basic playground equipment. Pet friendly. You have to enter the camping area by driving through an RV and truck storage area first. We would stay here again .
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
GuideWe camp here several times thru out the year. Always an enjoyable stay. Staff is very friendly and accommodating.
LegendLike always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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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