While Berwyn, Pennsylvania sits in the heart of Chester County's rolling hills at an elevation of around 500 feet, campers seeking equestrian facilities face limitations. The region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and moderate winters, making camping viable from April through October. State parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer varied terrain from wooded sites to lakeside camping, though specific equestrian camping options remain limited.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Hibernia County Park features Chambers Lake for anglers of all experience levels. "The lake is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails... The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes Anna, who visited with children ranging from 3-12 years old.
Water activities: Scotts Run Lake at French Creek State Park offers boating options with restrictions. "We did enjoy the paddle boats and saw a few cranes! They offer fishing at the pond which was also enjoyable," explains Amanda H., who found the paddle boats particularly entertaining despite having mixed feelings about other aspects of the park.
Zip line adventures: Young campers enjoy the playground equipment between camping loops at French Creek State Park. "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., who found the feature popular with both kids and adults.
What campers like
Private campsites: Mountainview Campground offers secluded sites with natural separation. "The campsite was wonderful and isolated," reports Kyhlea D., who appreciates the quieter camping experience. Another camper, Christina H., confirms: "Our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors)."
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park maintains high standards for its bathhouses. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," writes Mark, who was impressed with the thoughtful layout and cleanliness during his family's stay.
Wooded surroundings: Campsites with natural shade are valued by visitors to the region. "We absolutely love camping at French Creek for several reasons. The first has to be the sites. As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," explains Ranger Jen during her 2019 visit.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds in the area have uneven topography that requires planning. At Starlite Camping Resort, "Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," explains Craig F., who found the campground spacious despite the surrounding hills.
Limited water access: Several campgrounds have restricted water facilities. At Hibernia County Park, a visitor notes: "There is 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. There is one spigot at the 'bathroom'."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during prime seasons. At Lums Pond State Park, "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B., who camps there regularly. For some special events at regional parks, reservations may be mandatory rather than first-come, first-served.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites close to play areas for easier supervision. "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake," reports Jen R. about French Creek State Park, highlighting the multiple activity options within walking distance.
Kid-friendly fishing: Blackbird State Forest offers accessible fishing opportunities perfect for young anglers. "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy," writes a camper who enjoyed the blend of outdoor activities and secluded camping.
Educational opportunities: Regional parks often feature historical components suitable for family learning. Near Starlite Camping Resort, "The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore," notes Elizabeth L., highlighting the educational day trips available from the camping base.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Plan for limited services at some locations. At Lums Pond State Park, "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well," explains Ellen B., providing specific details about the recent infrastructure improvements beneficial to RVers.
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling blocks despite seemingly flat sites. At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," according to Jen R., though other visitors note that some loops may require more extensive leveling for larger rigs.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. Jennifer S. notes about Hibernia County Park: "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home."
