K
Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Camping near Newtown Square, PA
6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Camping options near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania include a variety of established campgrounds within a short drive of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Several campgrounds like Ridley Creek State Park offer group camping areas with tent sites, while facilities such as French Creek State Park Campground and Philadelphia West Chester KOA provide more developed camping experiences with RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in the region are concentrated within a 30-mile radius, offering a mix of state park, private, and KOA camping facilities.
Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. French Creek State Park Campground and the KOA locations in Clarksboro and West Chester operate year-round, while others have limited seasonal operations. Campsite reservations are recommended, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities, though the level of development ranges from primitive tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds with electric, water, and sewer hookups. As one camper noted about Ridley Creek State Park, "They have a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits. They also have a tone of trails to hike on."
The camping experience in the Newtown Square area is characterized by accessible outdoor recreation with proximity to urban amenities. Many campgrounds feature hiking trails, with Ridley Creek and Evansburg State Parks receiving particular praise for their trail systems. Water activities are available at several locations, including Lums Pond State Park in nearby Delaware, which offers boat-in camping. For those seeking unique experiences, Tinicum Island provides boat-in primitive camping, while urban glamping options exist at locations like Philly Love Boats. Several reviewers mentioned the proximity to wildlife and natural settings despite being close to Philadelphia. A reviewer of Evansburg State Park highlighted this balance: "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here."
Best Campgrounds near Newtown Square (129)
1. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"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."
"We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
2. French Creek State Park Campground
"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."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
3. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
"They also have a catch and release pond and we found a pickleball court at a nearby city park."
"In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods"
4. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"Everything was within close walking distance and the staff were extremely helpful. Pool and bathrooms were very clean."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $86 / night
5. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"It's almost 500 acres filled with trails, woods,and river. I usually go to the parking right off of Militia hill rd.and Skippack Pike intersection."
"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"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $72 / night
6. Evansburg State Park Campground
"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
"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”."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
7. Tinicum Island
8. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
"The camp loop is a nice walk but there are also trails. They were pretty muddy when we were there. Site 35 was quite spacious as were many of them."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
9. Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina: Urban Glamping
Check Availabilityfrom $120 - $145 / night
10. 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
Drive Time
- 30 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 44 min from Trenton, NJ
- 48 min from Reading, PA
- 1 hr 2 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Newtown Square, PA
271 Photos of 129 Newtown Square Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Evansburg State Park Campground
Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOAM
Philadelphia-West Chester KOAR
Brandywine Creek Campground
Hibernia County ParkJ
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Tranquil Creekside Camp
French Creek State Park Campground
Four Seasons Family Campground
Old Cedar CampgroundS
Boulder Woods Campground
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Recent Reviews near Newtown Square, PA
996 Reviews of 129 Newtown Square 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!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
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.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
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.
Guide to Newtown Square
Camping near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania offers locations within a 30-mile radius that balance natural settings with access to Philadelphia. The area experiences mild springs, warm summers with average highs of 85°F, colorful autumns, and winter temperatures that can drop below freezing. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, while others close from November through March due to seasonal weather patterns.
What to do
Creek exploration: Ridley Creek State Park offers multiple water access points for wading and exploration. "Beautiful area to hike along the creek was great. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park," notes Andrea R., highlighting the park's water features.
Bird watching: Fort Washington State Park Campground provides elevated observation decks for hawk watching during migration seasons. "If you are 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," shares Stuart K., who documented numerous species including "Dark-eyed Junco, Common Loon, Blue Heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagles."
Water activities: Canoeing at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA offers access to the Brandywine River with rentals available on-site. "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," explains Jim N., highlighting the accessibility for families.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: French Creek State Park Campground features natural barriers between many campsites. "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," explains Jen R.
Patio sites: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers premium sites with outdoor furniture included. "Great site (once you're in it!) including patio furniture on a paver patio and seating around an upgraded fire pit. The landscaping made up for the tight squeeze," notes a camper who appreciated the amenities despite space limitations.
Lake access: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers waterside activities just 30 miles from Newtown Square. "We did enjoy the paddle boats and saw a few cranes! They offer fishing at the pond which was also enjoyable," shares Amanda H., highlighting the water recreation opportunities.
What you should know
Tent site limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger tents. "Many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent," warns Ellen C. from French Creek State Park.
Big rig access challenges: Some sites have difficult angles for large RVs. "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," cautions Matt S. about certain sites at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Boat-in only access: Tinicum Island offers primitive camping but requires water transportation. "A great place to stay if you have a watercraft," explains Bobby S., making this a unique option for those with canoes, kayaks, or small boats.
Tips for camping with families
Playground offerings: Compare equipment quality and age ranges. "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived... There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool," explains Phinon W. about Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Kid-friendly hiking: Evansburg State Park Campground offers progressive trail options. "I've spent countless hours hiking and fishing in Evansburg. 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'," shares Andrew C.
Prepare for mud: Pack extra shoes and clothes for creek exploration. "The only downside, I've ever experienced is I find Evansburg to be the muddiest State Park I've every experienced; I always bring a pair of sneakers to change out of my hiking boots, as well as a shoes and change of clothes for the little guy," advises Andrew C.
Tips from RVers
Uneven sites: Bring leveling blocks to most campgrounds. "The set up was relatively easy, although one person might have some difficulty. It held up well during an evening thunderstorm, but for a small seam leak near the door. We believe this is a result of the fact that our site was slightly uneven," notes Ellen C. from French Creek State Park Campground.
Campground navigation: Watch for narrow interior roads. "It was nice to just be able to back up our camper and have it mostly level already. Mostly every site that I saw also had a grassy area which is fantastic when you have young kids. I am not a fan of all gravel sites!" shares Jen R., highlighting the partial-paved sites at French Creek.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round. "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," advises Galit P. about French Creek's off-season availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Newtown Square, PA?
Which is the most popular campground near Newtown Square, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newtown Square, PA is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
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