The Langhorne area sits within Bucks County, with camping options spread across eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Elevations in the region range from 200-400 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for hiking and exploration. The area experiences distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing, affecting campground operations between November and March.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers miles of trails through the Pine Barrens with routes suitable for beginners and experienced hikers. "Good amount of trails nearby, though some of the trails are shared with motorized vehicles/bicyclists," notes Vinayak Vinod C., who adds that the well-maintained grounds provide multiple recreational options.
Birding opportunities: Fort Washington State Park features an observation deck specifically designed for bird watching, particularly during spring and fall migrations. According to Stuart K., "Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis."
Water recreation: Turkey Swamp Park offers fishing, boating, and swimming options on its lake. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," explains Dan W., highlighting the variety of water activities available.
Historical exploration: Visit Washington Crossing State Park to learn about Revolutionary War history. David S. notes, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting commemorating the moment."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Tohickon Valley County Park provides campsites with ample room between neighbors. Katrina Z. appreciated that "The sites are a decent distance from each other. It was nice and quiet." Another camper, Karen P., added, "Our campsite was big, we weren't on top of our neighbors, it was set back into the trees, and the sounds were incredible."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the region prioritize cleanliness. At French Creek State Park, Ellen C. found that "The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend," while another camper, Galit P., noted, "Showers and bathrooms were great!"
Year-round camping options: Some campgrounds operate throughout all seasons. As Galit P. observed about French Creek State Park, "Stayed over for one night in early December. The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early."
Wilderness camping experience: Round Valley Recreation Area offers a more primitive camping experience. Agbi B. describes it as "a great campground that is super private and quiet - great for getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer. For Timberland Lake Campground, Aaron E. mentions staying "from June 24th-27th on site 38," indicating specific site selection through their reservation system.
Limited alcohol policies: Several state parks prohibit alcohol. At Tohickon Valley County Park, Curran S. learned the hard way: "It's a great place to take the kids for a night or two of lovely moderate hiking and outdoor experience. Except I don't have kids and the people I tagged along with didn't read the rules, so we brought a bunch of alcohol and had our selves a blast until the rangers showed up."
Tick awareness: Some areas have significant tick populations. At Turkey Swamp Park, LAURA Y. warns, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Access challenges: Alverthorpe Private Park has residency restrictions. Les R. notes, "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," which limits options for travelers passing through.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Turkey Swamp Park offers numerous activities specifically designed for children. Robyn W. highlights that there are "Plenty of activities for kids with park area and pool. They do also offer golf cart rental for those wanting explore the park."
Educational opportunities: Brendan Byrne State Forest provides nature education in a pristine setting. Dorian P. found that "you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded and disconnected from the outside!"
Safety considerations: At Tohickon Valley County Park, Anna N. explains it's "a small state run campground for tent camping. All the sites have a ton of room to stretch out! Park rangers routinely will check up on you to make sure things are going well."
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming facilities for children. According to JAEWOOK P. at Turkey Swamp Park, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At French Creek State Park, Jen R. advises, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other." This is particularly important for larger RVs requiring stable, level ground.
Hookup availability: Turkey Swamp Park offers electric and water hookups at most sites. Katheryn N. notes, "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have dirt or gravel access roads that can be challenging. Lee D. observed at Turkey Swamp Park, "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Seasonal considerations: Winter RV camping is available at some locations. Angel L. mentions that French Creek State Park is "close to Philly but has some wonderful tent sites. There are also cabins and yurts but they aren't dog friendly."
