Equestrian camping near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania presents several options within driving distance of this Philadelphia suburb. Located in Delaware County at 440 feet above sea level, Newtown Square experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and moderately cold winters. Camping sites in the region typically maintain accessibility from April through October, though some facilities remain open year-round with reduced amenities during winter months.
What to do
Hiking and nature trails: French Creek State Park offers extensive trails through wooded areas. "We loved our stay at this park, and plan to return. We tented in loop D...There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," shares Katie M.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water bodies near camping areas provide fishing options for various species. At French Creek State Park Campground, "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," according to Jen R.
Outdoor recreation: Beyond horseback riding, the region offers diverse recreational activities. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "There's an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp," notes Ellen B., while another visitor adds that the park features "kayaking, biking, and more."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature natural separation between camping areas. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. appreciates that "most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained amenities. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, a camper notes "Very well maintained campsites and facilities," while another states, "The bathrooms were clean." A third camper mentions, "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes."
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings provide immersive nature experiences. Christina H. describes Mountainview Campground as "just so calming and quiet, it was really just such a relaxing place to be. There was no irritation from loud, busy nearby roads, no city noise, no people yelling or stomping about."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. At Lums Pond State Park, a camper advises to "Book early because it fills up fast!" Similarly, Starlite Camping Resort requires advanced planning.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts both trail conditions and facility availability. At French Creek State Park, one camper notes "We were there in October, so the pool was closed, but it looked nice," highlighting how amenities change seasonally.
Facilities vary widely: Blackbird State Forest Campground offers primitive camping with "a few designated tent-camping sites, and designated areas for deer hunting. Each campsite features a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood," according to D R., who adds, "There are a couple portapotties in the camping area, which are a few feet from one campsite, or a few blocks from another."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Ellen C. found that at French Creek State Park, "There is a 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."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Dedicated fishing areas make for great family activities. Anna notes that Hibernia County Park has "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," providing an accessible option for younger anglers.
Swimming options: Water features offer summer recreation. French Creek State Park includes "a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake," according to a visitor, providing supervised swimming separate from fishing areas.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Jennifer S. notes about Hibernia County Park, "We mostly camp in a 28ft 5th wheel and though at first glance the sites don't look big enough to house an RV, there are a few sites that will, including #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by location. At Lums Pond State Park, campers appreciate that "sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer," making it suitable for RVs requiring more amenities.
Level sites: Terrain affects RV setup difficulty. Craig F. found at Starlite Camping Resort that "the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed," despite the campground being "quite hilly throughout."
Ranger
