French Creek State Park sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in the Hopewell Big Woods, Pennsylvania's largest contiguous forest tract. The terrain near Paoli transitions from rolling hills to pockets of dense woodland with mixed oak, maple, and hickory trees. Campers experience moderately humid summers with highs in the 80s, while spring and fall offer cooler temperatures ideal for hiking through the region's deciduous forests.
What to do
Disc golf course access: At Boulder Woods Campground, visitors can enjoy their extensive disc golf setup. "Great disc golf course," notes Benjamin C., while another camper mentions "the camp ground has a very large golf disc course and they seem to have tournaments. They sell disc golf things in the store as well."
Horseback riding trails: The trail system at Evansburg State Park Campground accommodates equestrians. One visitor describes it as "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing." Another mentions it's "nice for horses" though warns to check for ticks afterward.
Local Amish country tours: Staying at Lancaster-New Holland KOA puts you near Amish farms with rural views. "Daily views of fields, farmers plowing with horses or the buggys going by was great," shares April L. Another visitor calls it a "great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County."
What campers like
Individual shower rooms: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers private shower facilities. One reviewer highlights "separate, individual shower rooms" and notes that "the bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Jump pad for kids: Philadelphia West Chester KOA features interactive play equipment. "Nice playground and jump pad for kids," writes Benjamin A. Another reviewer mentions additional activities, noting "They have activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool."
Tent camping field areas: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to typical tent pads. At Boulder Woods Campground, one group found adaptation easy during wet conditions: "It was quite muddy so we moved our set up into the grass field. The tent sites are on dirt and not stone which we enjoyed, I hate stone under my tent."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Expect different experiences depending on location choice. At Green Lane Park, reviewers note lack of separation: "The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them." Another camper states: "The sites are way too close together and there is not any privacy."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. One camper at Boulder Woods mentions it being "a little loud at times with the turnpike right there." At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, a visitor advises "The road seems highly traveled during weekdays so I would suggest a site far from it."
Accessible fishing options: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing without requiring long hikes. At Hibernia County Park, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," while at Evansburg, a visitor "caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago! Great park. You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently $9.90."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with young children. The Philadelphia West Chester KOA reviewer notes, "They have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool. The camp playground was brand new when we arrived."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Some locations maintain areas specifically for younger anglers. At Hibernia County Park, one visitor shares: "The children's pond is about a 3 minute hike down the clearly marked trails...Super great price at $15/night as well."
Glamping for families with little ones: For luxury camping near Paoli, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers family-friendly glamping. "This campground has a playground, so good for kids," one reviewer notes, while another mentions it's "full of families" with a "clean, quiet" environment.
Tips from RVers
Tight turning radius warnings: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Boulder Woods, a reviewer warns: "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight."
Full hookup availability: Know which campgrounds offer complete services. At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, visitors appreciate "site #106 which was level, covered in clean gravel, had a paver patio with table and chairs, and a nice fire ring with more chairs. The site was spacious and nicely shaded with tall trees. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service all worked fine."
Seasonal restrictions on RV age: Some places limit older vehicles for seasonal stays. One Boulder Woods Campground visitor shares their disappointment: "They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13. Very disappointed. But for a weekend away, it's a great place."
