Equestrian Camping near Maple Glen, PA

French Creek State Park offers equestrian enthusiasts multiple loop trails ranging from 2 to 8 miles through densely wooded terrain. Located 40 miles from Maple Glen in southeastern Pennsylvania, the park maintains a year-round campground with sites that accommodate both riders and their horses. Loop C allows pets and provides adequate spacing between campsites with natural vegetation barriers for privacy. The campground features electric hookups at select sites, though water access points are shared and centrally located throughout camping areas.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: The lakes at French Creek State Park contain various fish species including northern pike and bass. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes one camper.

Archery practice: Several parks near Maple Glen provide designated archery ranges for target practice with your own equipment. "There is an archery range and a council ring (campfire). There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers," reports a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.

Trail exploration: The Pine Barrens offer extensive hiking options through unique forest ecosystems. A visitor to Brendan Byrne State Forest shared: "Lots of trails nearby, though some of the trails are shared with motorized vehicles/bicyclists."

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds provide natural separation between campsites. At Mountainview Campground, a camper observed, "This place was actually fantastic, I don't really have anything negative to say about it. The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains."

Lakefront camping: Several parks offer waterfront sites with direct reservoir access. "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun," notes a visitor to Spruce Run Recreation Area.

Wildlife encounters: The natural areas surrounding Maple Glen host diverse animal populations. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" reports one camper at Mountainview Campground.

What you should know

Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies significantly between parks. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper noted: "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall."

Noise considerations: Highway sounds can affect some camping experiences. "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway," reports one camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area.

Tick awareness: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park warned: "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."

Tips for camping with families

Fishing ponds for children: Some parks maintain separate fishing areas for younger anglers. At Hibernia County Park, a visitor mentioned: "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."

Primitive site savings: Basic campsites offer significant cost advantages. "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups," notes one Hibernia County Park camper.

Multiple playground options: Many parks feature play equipment in different locations. A French Creek State Park visitor shared: "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."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven parking pads. A camper at Hibernia County Park observed: "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."

Water supply planning: Not all sites provide direct hookups. "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," advises an RVer at Hibernia County Park.

Dump station availability: Waste disposal facilities vary between parks. "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 camper at Hibernia County Park.