Glamping sites near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania often operate from April through October, with average summer daytime temperatures between 70-85°F and overnight lows around 65°F. The terrain includes rolling hills and wooded landscapes within the Brandywine Valley region, with elevations ranging from 250-450 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area receive approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and occasional muddy conditions on unpaved trails.
What to do
Kayaking at Hopewell Lake: French Creek State Park's 68-acre Hopewell Lake allows non-motorized boating with rentals available at the park office. "We took our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing, where we picnicked and hung out for an afternoon," noted Katie M. about her experience at French Creek State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Boulder Woods Campground features an extensive disc golf course that hosts tournaments. "That's where we fell in love with disc golf," shared Erik W., while another camper mentioned "Great disc golf course" as a highlight of their stay. Discs are available for purchase or rental at the camp store, making this activity accessible for beginners.
Catch-and-release fishing: Several ponds and lakes in the area allow fishing with proper licensing. "I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago! Great park. (I put the Trout back in, it was very healthy and I managed to get the hook out quickly, otherwise he would have been dinner!)" wrote J K. about their time at Evansburg State Park Campground. A Pennsylvania fishing license costs $22.90 plus $9.90 for the trout stamp.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots than others. "The sites are not on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," wrote one reviewer about French Creek State Park Campground. This contrasts with other parks where "The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them," as noted by Jen about Green Lane Park.
Year-round options: While many glamping sites close seasonally, some remain open during winter months. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" reported Galit P. about French Creek State Park. "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."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies between locations. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," wrote Mark about their family trip. Several reviewers specifically mentioned heated bathroom facilities during shoulder season camping.
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs or tents. "Let me just say I went one time and didn't go back. Luckily, we have a cassette toilet in our camper," noted Jen R. about bathroom conditions at one location. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "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," reported Matt S.
Seasonal amenities: Pools and some recreational facilities operate on limited schedules. "We arrived to find what seemed more like a large field! Very few trees, not much shade at all!" wrote Amanda H. about her experience at one park, highlighting that off-season visits may offer different landscapes and amenities than peak summer months.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds book quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advised Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park, while others mentioned first-come-first-served sites with self-registration options at parks like Hibernia County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Sites with playgrounds offer easy entertainment. At Hibernia County Park, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," reported Anna. "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."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours better than others. "Quiet time is listed in reservations agreements but not enforced in anyway," noted Tiffany B. about one location, which may impact families with young children trying to maintain sleep schedules. Consider sites further from main roads and facilities.
Accessibility to bathrooms: Site location relative to facilities matters for families. "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers...keep your shoes handy, its a hike," observed al K. at Lums Pond State Park, highlighting a common challenge for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Water and electric connections are not standardized across campgrounds. At Old Cedar Campground, Matt S. noted, "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site waste disposal. "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," advised Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park, an important consideration for longer stays.
Level sites: Many RVers commented on site grading. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," wrote Mark about Lums Pond State Park, while others mentioned needing blocks and creative positioning at parks with uneven terrain.
