K
Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Tent Camping near Malvern, PA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent camping options near Malvern, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds within county and state park systems. Group Camp at Ridley Creek State Park offers tent sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Hibernia County Park, located near Coatesville, provides primitive tent camping with two distinct loops - Lake Loop and Fiddler's Loop - offering wooded sites without hookups.
Most tent campgrounds in the Malvern area feature basic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Ridley Creek State Park provides group tent sites with designated fire pits, while Hibernia County Park offers more primitive tent camping with porta-potties and limited water access. Sites at Hibernia cost approximately $15 per night and include only a picnic table and fire ring. One camper wrote, "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," indicating that tent campers should plan accordingly and bring sufficient water. The county park enforces a no-alcohol policy, and camping is often only available on weekends during the camping season, which typically runs May through October.
The tent camping experience in this region offers wooded settings with access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and natural surroundings. At Hibernia County Park, tent sites are situated near Chamber's Lake and walking trails, though some locations provide limited privacy. A visitor commented that "The campground is ON the hiking trail so everyone doing the loop walks along the sites," which may impact the sense of seclusion. Ridley Creek State Park features well-marked trails for hiking and is pet-friendly, making it suitable for tent campers who travel with dogs. Both locations offer primitive tent camping experiences relatively close to urban areas, with Ridley Creek's group tenting sites providing a social camping environment popular with first-time campers. Tent-only areas tend to be more heavily wooded, particularly at Fiddler's Loop in Hibernia County Park.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Malvern (23)
1. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"Terrific space for exploring"
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
2. Evansburg State Park Campground
"Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek"
"You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently$9.90.The restroom facilities we're clean."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
3. Hibernia County Park
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. 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."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $50 / night
4. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"I’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"
"The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
5. Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
6. Tinicum Island
7. Alverthorpe Private Park
"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"
Check Availabilityfrom $1 - $100 / night
8. Boulder Ridge Farm
"We'd like to welcome Joe, your host, to our platform! This property is close to town yet so serene. 2WD is fine but 4WD will make your experience getting to the property a bit more smooth."
"Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
9. Brandywine Meadows Family Campground
10. Two Log Campground
Drive Time
- 30 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 36 min from Reading, PA
- 42 min from Trenton, NJ
- 58 min from Allentown, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Malvern, PA
25 Photos of 23 Malvern Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Malvern, PA
844 Reviews of 23 Malvern Campgrounds
- s
sorcha A.
TravelerShady Oak Campground
Easy access to Lancaster and Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Friendly, welcoming staff and plenty of colorful trees in the autumn. The only RV park in the area that is open year round.
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
Peggy C.TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Brian T.ScoutCountry Acres Campground
Excellent But.
The campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
Guide to Malvern
Tent camping near Malvern, Pennsylvania offers primitive sites within 20 miles of the Philadelphia suburbs. The area sits at an elevation of about 500 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that provides warm summers and cold winters. May through October offers the most consistent weather conditions for tent campers with average summer temperatures between 70-85°F and cooler spring and fall nights.
What to do
Birdwatching trails: Explore Fort Washington State Park's observation deck where migrating raptors gather seasonally. "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back," shares Andrea R. about Ridley Creek State Park.
Fishing access: Cast a line at Chamber's Lake near Hibernia County Park. "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here," notes J K. about nearby Evansburg State Park.
Creek exploration: Wade through clear streams at multiple parks in the region. "Great place to creek hike, nice for horses, we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully," warns a camper at Evansburg State Park.
Disc golf: Play a full course at Green Lane Park. "Phenomenal disc golf course, hiking, and fishing," reports Benjamin C. about Green Lane Park.
What campers like
Natural rock formations: Discover unique boulder landscapes. "Plenty of fire wood, really cool huge rocks and waking up to owls was awesome," explains a camper at Boulder Ridge Farm.
Well-marked trails: Follow clear paths through wooded areas. "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!" recommends Mackenzie B.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local birds and animals. "This hidden gem of a campground is beautiful. There is plenty of hiking trails," according to Chuck C. about Evansburg State Park.
Family camping fields: Enjoy open areas designed for group camping. "I go camping here almost every year and they have a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits. They also have a tone of trails to hike on," says David K. about group camping options.
What you should know
Group camping focus: Understand that many parks only offer group sites, not individual camping. "Love Ridley and their trails. However, there is only group tenting here. I would stay over in a heartbeat though as I'm always here!" explains MsTrailBlazer about Ridley Creek State Park.
Weekend-only availability: Check operating schedules as many campgrounds have limited days. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season. Sites can be reserved online, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration," notes Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Privacy considerations: Research site layout before booking. "The campground is ON the hiking trail so everyone doing the loop walks along the sites," comments Abi D. about Hibernia's layout.
Residency restrictions: Verify if local residence is required. "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," warns Les R. about Alverthorpe Private Park.
Tips for camping with families
Children's fishing pond: Visit designated youth fishing areas. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," writes Anna about Hibernia County Park.
Playground access: Plan time for kids to enjoy recreational facilities. "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12...the park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms," shares Anna.
Beginning camper sites: Choose locations suited for first-timers. "This place is great for first time campers," recommends David K. about Fort Washington State Park, which offers group tenting with basic amenities.
Early reservations: Book in advance for popular weekends. "Hibernia annually hosts the (super fun!) 'Old Fiddlers Picnic' (Folk/Americana/Bluegrass etc. music & arts, beginner to pro!) the second weekend in August. This is the only weekend that you are REQUIRED to call in to reserve," advises Jennifer S.
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: Bring self-contained systems. "We camp in a 28ft 5th wheel for the most part...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," suggests Jennifer S.
RV size restrictions: Measure your vehicle before arrival. "Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the 'sites' are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters. I wouldn't attempt to park an RV up there," cautions a camper about Hibernia.
Limited dump stations: Plan for waste disposal needs. "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," notes a reviewer at Hibernia County Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Malvern, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Malvern, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Malvern, PA is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
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tent camping near
Malvern, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Malvern, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Malvern, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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