Camping near Glen Riddle Lima includes sites along the Brandywine River within 30 miles. The region sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with a humid continental climate, receiving around 45 inches of rainfall annually. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with July temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and periodic thunderstorms common during summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5-10 miles from sites. The Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers catch and release fishing in their small pond. "My husband and I stayed for a week in one of the glamping tents. The staff was very friendly and the tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, but definitely had a good combination of woodsy and comfort," notes one visitor.
Bird watching: Year-round. Fort Washington State Park Campground is known for its hawk observation deck. "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 in both the Spring and Autumn," reports one camper who spotted various species including woodpeckers and thrushes.
Canoeing: Available April-October. Several campgrounds offer water recreation. "We spent a long weekend with family at Lums Pond State Park Campground and so glad we did. Beautiful park setting with fantastic site—spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved. Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," shares one reviewer about their experience.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Available at select locations. The French Creek State Park Campground offers wooded sites with natural buffers. "We LOVE camping here as the campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," mentions a frequent visitor who appreciated the privacy between sites.
River access: Most popular in summer. Many campers enjoy waterfront locations. "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent," notes one visitor to the region. At Tinicum Island, boat-in camping provides a unique water experience. "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft," states a reviewer who enjoyed the island setting.
Playground facilities: Available at larger campgrounds. Families appreciate the recreational options. "The camp playground was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," shares one visitor at Lums Pond who was traveling with children. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)."
What you should know
Site terrain varies significantly: Research before booking. At Old Cedar Campground, campers find various terrain conditions. "We got there, the host wasn't very friendly. We had to pay $50 per night for a tent site that was sandy mud," reports one tent camper who stayed there during wet conditions.
Off-season camping options: Limited availability. Some campgrounds operate year-round while others close seasonally. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early, make sure you have cash on you as it was unclear if checks were accepted," notes a winter visitor to French Creek State Park.
Group camping requirements: Book early. Several parks offer group-only camping options. "This is a key chain however the ring is very, very small. I have large hands for a girl - I can palm a basketball - and I had a very hard time trying to attach the ring to my bag," reports one camper about gear challenges at smaller sites in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: Range from $40-$90/night. For families wanting more comfort, Philadelphia-West Chester KOA offers cabin accommodations. "This was the first KOA we visited and I can't begin to say enough wonderful things about the whole campground. The camp playground was brand new when we arrived and they had just broken ground (September 2020). There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages."
Pool access: Seasonal availability. Several campgrounds offer swimming options. "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations. Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking," shares a repeat visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Best in early morning. Many families enjoy animal sightings. "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," writes a visitor to Evansburg State Park Campground, noting the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring blocks for uneven areas. Most RV sites require some adjustment. "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," notes an RVer at French Creek State Park.
Water hookup sharing: Check distance requirements. At some campgrounds, water connections serve multiple sites. "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," advises an RVer at Old Cedar Campground.
Parking challenges: Call ahead for big rigs. Some campgrounds have tight entry roads. "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. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road," warns a visitor with a large vehicle at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
