7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
None of the campgrounds listed in the data for the Paoli, Pennsylvania area explicitly mention horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities. While French Creek State Park, Hibernia County Park, Lums Pond State Park, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, Mountainview Campground, Starlite Camping Resort, and Blackbird State Forest offer camping options, their features lists specifically mark "NO horse-corral" for each location. These campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin options, but lack specialized equestrian amenities.
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland appears most promising for horse enthusiasts, as it maintains an extensive trail system used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed, the area's size and natural resource management focus may accommodate day-use horseback riding. Sites at Hibernia County Park feature wooded surroundings with walking trails that could potentially be suitable for short rides, though no specific equestrian trails are mentioned in the reviews.
Riders seeking horse-friendly camping near Paoli should contact these facilities directly for current equestrian policies and trail access information. Many parks permit horseback riding on designated trails even without dedicated equestrian camping facilities. French Creek State Park offers extensive hiking trails where horses might be permitted under specific conditions. Parks may have seasonal restrictions for horse access, particularly during hunting seasons or wet conditions when trails are vulnerable to damage. Pennsylvania state parks typically require negative Coggins tests for visiting horses, and many implement manure management requirements to protect natural resources.
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This campground has 2 small loops, the Lake Loop and the Fiddler's Loop. Lake loop is the bigger of the two, however the “sites” are smaller and it's more open. It is popular with group tenters."
"Large campsites at the Lake Loop. Map is a little deceiving- the sites are farther from the lake than I expected and there are no running water bathrooms. Very clean and wooded sites."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
"Starlight is a nice campground to relax or explore central Pennsylvania."
"The campground is in a great location with easy access to Lancaster, Hershey and many other places to explore."
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
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ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
LegendWe spent a weekend at French Creek State Park as our home base for the Chester County Balloon Festival. We stayed for 2 nights at a full-hookup paved site, which ran us $55.25 per night.
WHAT I LIKED:
Peace& Quiet: The state park itself was lovely, serene, and felt nice and spacious.
Prime Location: At just 30 minutes away from the balloon festival, this is the closest campground.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The"Leveling" Challenge: We were at site#C-241, which had a pretty significant slope. It took a few boards under the rear wheels and fully extended jacks just to get us anywhere near level.
Tight Fit for Big Rigs: Even though there was plenty of open space behind our site, the actual driveway pad was too short to comfortably fit our motorhome and Jeep together. Compared to other state parks we’ve visited, the interior roads and layouts felt a bit on the tight side.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
TravelerThe camp site was amazing. Everything is neat and clean and really beautiful place so quiet.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutThis is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
Equestrian camping options near Paoli, Pennsylvania are limited but nearby parks offer trails accessible to horseback riders. Located in the piedmont region of southeastern Pennsylvania, this area features rolling hills with elevations between 200-500 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with temperatures averaging 45-85°F during camping season.
Trail riding at Fair Hill: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in nearby Elkton maintains an extensive trail system with 80 miles of trails. "There are two primitive youth group camping areas. There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website," notes Gen F. While not offering individual horse corrals, the area accommodates group camping with proper arrangements.
Explore multiple lake activities: French Creek State Park features two lakes for diverse recreation. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, 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," explains Jen R. The lakes offer electric-motor boating options with no swimming permitted.
Off-season camping: Winter camping provides a different experience at some parks. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," reports Galit P. about French Creek State Park. Off-season camping means fewer crowds but requires proper cold-weather gear.
Private, wooded sites: Starlite Camping Resort offers secluded campsites with natural buffers. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded," writes Craig F. Many sites feature level pads requiring minimal blocking.
Clean facilities: Lums Pond State Park maintains well-kept amenities. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," shares Mark. The park features individual shower rooms rather than community shower spaces.
Affordable options: Hibernia County Park provides budget-friendly camping close to Paoli. "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground," notes John Z. This park offers basic amenities at approximately one-third the cost of full-service campgrounds.
Limited water access at some parks: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank. There is one spigot at the bathroom," warns Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park. Always check water source locations before setting up camp.
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground restroom quality ranges from primitive to modern. "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park. Some parks require walks of 5-10 minutes to reach proper facilities.
Terrain challenges: Mountainview Campground features hilly terrain with specific site considerations. "The ground is moderately rocky, so there may be some slight troubles getting tent stakes in the ground," notes Christina H. Bringing extra-sturdy tent stakes or rock bags for tents is recommended.
Playgrounds and activities: Several parks offer dedicated children's areas. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events and Sunday morning church services," details Jen R. about French Creek State Park.
Family-friendly fishing: Blackbird State Forest offers spacious sites near fishing opportunities. "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy. There are multiple port a potties here but some sites are a bit far from them. Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents," shares a camper named Blind. Children under 16 can fish without licenses in most park ponds.
Select sites strategically: Loop selection impacts your camping experience with children. "We have stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop," reports Jen R. Loops closer to playgrounds often fill first but generate more foot traffic.
Site leveling requirements: Most campgrounds require some leveling adjustments. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," notes Jen R. about French Creek State Park. Bringing leveling blocks remains essential despite paved pads at many sites.
Full hookup availability: Lums Pond State Park offers complete services. "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site(#56). This place is a gem, even among nice state parks," reports Matt S. The campground provides water, electric and sewer connections at designated sites for approximately 30% higher fees than partial hookup sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Paoli, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Paoli, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 84 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Paoli, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Paoli, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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