Camping near Upper Darby, Pennsylvania ranges from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations within a 45-mile radius. Located at 85 feet above sea level, this Philadelphia suburb experiences humid continental climate conditions with average summer temperatures of 74-87°F and winter lows of 26-40°F. Rain is distributed evenly throughout the year, with heaviest precipitation typically occurring during summer thunderstorms between June and August.
What to do
Creek exploration: 7 miles of trails at Evansburg State Park offer excellent opportunities for creek hiking and fishing. "Great place to creek hike, nice for horses, we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully," reports one visitor. The park's trout fishing receives consistent praise from anglers who visit the waterways.
Equestrian activities: Reserved trails for horseback riding exist at several parks in the region. Evansburg State Park maintains dedicated equestrian paths separate from hiking trails. One camper noted, "I found a video of my Sons first hiking trip to Evansburg this is a few months after his second birthday... both of them adore our trips to Evansburg."
Water sports: Canoe and kayak rentals available at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provide access to the Brandywine River. "The river sites are great but can get muddy and there is a big hill to get up and out," one camper mentions. Rentals typically cost $25-45 depending on boat size and rental duration.
Mini-golf and recreational amenities: Several campgrounds feature mini-golf courses, swimming pools, and playgrounds. According to one camper at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "They have activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool. Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float."
What campers like
Privacy and space between sites: Campers consistently mention site spacing as a priority. At French Creek State Park Campground, "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." Another visitor commented, "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site."
Group camping options: For larger gatherings, Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park offers dedicated facilities. "I go camping here almost every year and they a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits. They also have a tone of trails to hike on," explains one regular visitor. Another camper adds, "Love Ridley and their trails. However, there is only group tenting here."
Concrete pads and level sites: RV campers particularly appreciate well-maintained pads. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer." The park's renovations have significantly improved the camping experience.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds remain open year-round. One winter camper at French Creek State Park noted, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby."
What you should know
Reservation timelines: High demand means booking well in advance. Lums Pond State Park fills quickly according to campers: "Book early because it fills up fast!" Weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically book 6-8 months in advance.
Site selection challenges: At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, "Site is good with good showers and laundry. Staff seemed very abrupt which surprised me as the other 3 KOA sites we stayed at the staff were really friendly and helpful." Another camper suggests, "The park is better looking toward the back but the sites are kind of crowded together and bare."
Site leveling considerations: Rocky terrain affects tent setup at some parks. A French Creek visitor observed, "The campground is hilly which means that a fair number of sites are not level. I had to fold and refold the bag a few times in order to get it back into the droplet shaped case."
Pet restrictions: Not all loops or campgrounds allow pets. At French Creek, only Loop C permits dogs, while at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, one camper appreciated that "The staff was super friendly and helpful. We also filled our propane tank here. The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Select sites near recreational facilities for easier supervision. At Old Cedar Campground, "My grandchildren loved visiting us, pool was clean - they had a few items that they could borrow - fishing was great - playground was adequate. Mini golf was fun for all."
Weekend activity planning: Many campgrounds offer organized children's programs on weekends. One Old Cedar camper reported, "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids."
Swimming options: Pools typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA offers a pool alongside river access, creating flexibility for families. According to reviews, the camp store is "well stocked with essentials and there is a pizza place close by that delivers. The kids alway have a good time there."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Water connections may require extra hose length at some campgrounds. At Old Cedar Campground, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Maneuverability challenges: Large rigs face tight turns at some sites. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA received this note from one RVer: "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."
Winter camping preparation: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with winterized facilities. One camper shared, "It was cold so we asked to be put close to bathrooms so we could leave camper winterized. They accommodated us nicely."
