Camping near Oxford, Pennsylvania takes place in the rolling hills of Chester County where elevations range from 220 to 450 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during peak camping months of June through August. Most campgrounds operate from April through November, with only a few facilities maintaining year-round access due to winter temperatures that regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15 miles from Oxford at French Creek State Park Campground where Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake contain "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." Ice fishing is also permitted when conditions allow, with staff monitoring ice thickness for safety.
Hiking trail network: 7 miles from town at Hibernia County Park featuring "a half dozen, easy trails, the longest is around 2 miles." The trails connect to Chamber's Lake where non-motorized boating is permitted. One camper mentioned, "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful."
Historical tours: 30-minute drive from most campgrounds to the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. According to a visitor at French Creek State Park, "Not to mention close by there is Hopewell National Furnace and St. Peter's Village with shops and restaurants and hiking trails as well."
Mini-golf and field sports: Multiple campgrounds offer recreation options beyond water activities. As noted by one visitor to Circle M, "They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground. We were down by the river and had a lot of room on our site."
What campers like
Level sites: Concrete pads at Country Acres Campground where campers appreciate the well-maintained grounds. A visitor noted, "This campground is probably the most well maintained campground we have ever stayed at. The grounds are beautiful, facilities above and beyond the expected."
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses at multiple locations, with one camper at Country Acres stating, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed."
Amish cultural experiences: Several campgrounds offer unique cultural immersion opportunities. A recent visitor mentioned, "There are free tickets available for the Amish Farmland Bus Tour. There's a small, basic tree at the front office."
Quiet natural settings: Many campers value the peaceful environment. A visitor to Lums Pond State Park Campground commented, "Our site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most glamping options near Oxford operate from April through November, with limited winter availability. One camper at French Creek noted, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!"
Variable site privacy: Site separation differs significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Tucquan Park Family Campground shared, "The sites were a little close together but still plenty of room."
Reservation timing: For popular weekends, advance booking is essential. "You can reserve online at: https://www.chesco.org/1067/Camping," advised one camper about Hibernia County Park.
Cellular coverage varies: Not all campgrounds offer reliable service. At Hibernia's Fiddler's loop, a visitor reported, "I had 0 cell/GPS service on the entire premises (my carrier is AT&T)."
Agricultural surroundings: Be prepared for rural environments. One candid visitor noted, "The overwhelming impression of this campground was the smell of cow manure from the nearby dairy farm feedlot."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Water park access at some glamping sites provides all-day entertainment. A visitor to Thousand Trails Circle M shared, "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it."
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature modern play equipment. According to one parent at Country Acres, "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)."
Age-appropriate activities: Consider your children's ages when booking. A parent visiting Jellystone Park advised, "We had stayed in this campground about 5 years ago and we loved it. We returned this year with my 12 and 14 year olds and a 12 year old friend. The kids were bored."
Fishing for youngsters: Dedicated fishing areas for children exist at select locations. A visitor to Hibernia County Park mentioned, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Premium locations at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA offer better amenities. A reviewer noted, "If you can manage without full hookups, choose the spots down by the creek. The views are the best in the place."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment. At French Creek, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze."
Big rig accessibility: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. A KOA visitor advised, "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."
Hookup limitations: Several parks offer only electric without water or sewer. A camper at French Creek reported, "There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water."
