Camping sites near Cheltenham, Pennsylvania dot the suburban landscape surrounding Philadelphia, typically set within state park systems or private facilities. The region sits in the Piedmont uplands with elevations between 100-500 feet, creating a mix of rolling terrain and creek valleys. Most campgrounds operate year-round with summer humidity levels reaching 70-80% and winter temperatures averaging 25-35°F from December through February.
What to do
Hiking varied terrain: At Ridley Creek State Park, trails offer diverse experiences for all skill levels. "Easy hike. We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back," shares Andrea R., who gave the park five stars. The park features well-maintained paths along waterways, with Mackenzie B. noting they're "well marked trails great for hiking. Pet friendly! We love walking here with our dog."
Bird watching opportunities: French Creek State Park attracts numerous bird species throughout the year. Stuart K. at Village Scene Park recommends "heading over to nearby Peace Valley Nature Center, which is only about 10 minutes away from here and features good walking trails near a small lake." Serious birders should visit Fort Washington State Park where, according to a visitor, you can "view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn" from the observation deck.
Historical exploration: Washington Crossing State Park offers educational experiences beyond camping. "Washington's crossing is beautiful and historic. We often bike along the canal there. There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area," explains Olivia M. The park commemorates Washington's famous Delaware River crossing with annual reenactments.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At French Creek State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacious layout. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports Jen R. Another visitor notes, "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."
Waterfront access: Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest offers prime lakeside camping. Alexa L. shares, "LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake." Another camper adds, "My friends and I stayed at Atsion during Cotopaxi's Questival in 2017. It was great! Very accessible, and Wharton State Forest was a beautiful backyard for a night!"
Versatile accommodations: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides options beyond standard tent sites. "My husband and I stayed for a week in one of the glamping tents. The staff was very friendly and the tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, but definitely had a good combination of woodsy and comfort," writes Jaquiline D. The KOA also features cabins, as Joshua B. mentions: "A small koa but very nice, I stayed in a cabin for my MTB race weekend."
What you should know
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry. At Alverthorpe Private Park, visitors face residency requirements. "Restricted to only residents. Looks nice, if you can actually stay here," notes Les R. Stuart K. adds that "you'll need to be a resident in order to camp here, which was a major bummer to learn."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality fluctuates between parks. At French Creek, a camper observed, "I was very disappointed in the cleanliness of the women's bathroom. Let me just say I went one time and didn't go back." In contrast, at Clarksboro KOA, Jim G. found "the showers were clean with some nice hot water but very small and difficult to change in."
Site terrain challenges: Finding level ground can be difficult at certain parks. One French Creek visitor explained, "We tented in loop D…the only bad part was that it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!" At Evansburg State Park Campground, Chuck C. warns about terrain issues: "Only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite. Some are further than others."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Philly Love Boats at Pier 5 Marina offers unique urban glamping experiences. Stuart K. suggests that "Should you need to let the kids unwind for a bit to run around and explore, I would suggest a trip over to Legoland Discovery Center, which will let you and the kids build with the famous toy bricks to your heart's content." At Clarksboro KOA, Nicole S. reports, "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more."
Teaching moments: Evansburg State Park provides learning opportunities in nature. Andrew C. shares, "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'." Many parks in the region include historical elements that children find engaging, like Washington Crossing State Park's reenactments.
Mud preparation: Pack extra clothes and shoes for children. Andrew C. warns that Evansburg can 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." After rain, many local camping areas develop significant mud patches that can challenge families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Village Scene Park, Stuart K. advises, "There's about 2 dozen or so slots, albeit there's a decent amount of vacant land adjacent to the 2-3 strips of parallel running pavement pathways where you'll see RV's lined up on either side. So my first bit of advice would be to certainly call ahead to ensure that there's adequate 'room at the inn' here."
Hookup variations: French Creek State Park offers different utility options. A visitor notes, "There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people. All sites do not have a water hook up but there is water available and some sites have electric."
Urban access considerations: Clarksboro KOA works well as a base for Philadelphia visits. "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily," explains Jason E. Another visitor adds, "We stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family In Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was was quick and responsive."
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