2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Equestrian facilities near Lyndell, Pennsylvania are limited in the immediate area. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in nearby Elkton, Maryland offers the most accessible horse-friendly camping options in the region. The campground features basic tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities. The primitive nature of this campground makes it suitable for overnight stays with horses, though there are no designated horse corrals in the camping area itself. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, with trash disposal available throughout the grounds.
Trail riders can access an extensive network of equestrian paths at Fair Hill NRMA, which encompasses over 5,000 acres of natural terrain suitable for horseback riding. The trails wind through diverse landscapes including woodlands, meadows, and along streams. Hibernia County Park, located closer to Lyndell, provides day-use equestrian trail access but does not offer overnight horse camping facilities. The park has hiking trails that connect to the lake and children's fishing pond. Overnight camping is restricted to tent and small RV use only, with sites spaced along two loops—Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop—though these areas are not specifically designed for accommodating horses and trailers.
"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."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
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.
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.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
Equestrian camping options extend beyond the immediate vicinity of Lyndell, Pennsylvania. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania's Chester County, this area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with moderate temperatures throughout spring and fall camping seasons. Several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius accommodate both tent and RV campers with varying levels of amenities for those traveling with horses.
Trail riding access: French Creek State Park offers extensive trail systems throughout its 7,526 acres. "There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well. There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people," notes Jen R. at French Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide pond and lake access for fishing enthusiasts. At Hibernia County Park, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," according to Anna. Sites have access to both Chamber's Lake for general fishing and a dedicated children's fishing pond with stocked options for younger anglers.
Hiking exploration: Blackbird State Forest offers multiple well-marked trails with campsite access. "There are plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands," says D R. The trail system connects directly to the camping areas for easy access from your site.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the room between sites at Hibernia County Park. "Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites," reports Chelsea.
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park maintains excellent bathhouse conditions. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," according to Mark. Consistently clean facilities make this a reliable option when traveling with horses and needing access to proper restrooms.
Natural surroundings: Blackbird State Forest offers seclusion and private sites. "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return!" shares Sarah M. The forest setting provides natural barriers between sites for a more private camping experience.
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds near Lyndell have partial or no hookups. At Hibernia Park, "There are 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," warns Jennifer S.
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends fill quickly at equestrian-friendly sites. At Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, "There are two primitive youth group camping areas. There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website," notes Gen F. Check reservation policies before planning your trip.
Seasonal availability: Operating seasons vary by location. "We have been camping at Starlite with Dave and family for 15+ years. The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore," shares Elizabeth L. Some campgrounds close completely during winter months.
Playground access: Several parks feature playground equipment for children. At French Creek, "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," reports Jen R.
Kid-friendly fishing: Hibernia County Park offers dedicated children's fishing areas. "My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night," shares Anna.
Safety features: Lums Pond State Park Campground provides well-lit pathways and emergency assistance. "Jim, the host camper by us was fantastic. As it was our first trip after a long winter, I managed to forget to put the anode back in our water heater. He not only lent us a socket, but asked if I needed help," notes Mark, highlighting the helpful staff.
Level sites: Some campgrounds offer better RV accommodation than others. At Starlite Camping Resort, "It is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," according to Craig F.
Electric options: Electric hookup availability varies significantly. "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," reports Jen R. about French Creek State Park.
Access considerations: When bringing horses and trailers, road access matters. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," warns Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort, which sits on elevated terrain requiring additional engine power for access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lyndell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lyndell, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lyndell, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Lyndell, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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