2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland features 5,600 acres of woodlands with specific facilities for equestrian camping and trail riding. The management area maintains bridle trails connecting to an extensive network through the surrounding natural landscape. Electric hookups accommodate overnight horse campers with designated spaces for both camping units and horse trailers. Trails wind through diverse terrain that includes streams where horses can access water during rides. Bathrooms with toilets are available for campers, though no shower facilities exist within the equestrian camping sections.
Trail access points begin directly from the camping areas, allowing riders to start their journeys without trailering to separate locations. The facility is accessible year-round, providing opportunities for seasonal riding experiences through changing woodland environments. Water hookups at campsites allow for filling portable water troughs for horses. Campsite arrangements accommodate groups traveling with multiple horses, with adequate spacing between sites for trailer parking and horse containment. Trash disposal services are available on-site, eliminating the need to pack out waste. Riders should check in advance for any trail closures or seasonal restrictions that might affect riding plans, particularly after heavy rainfall when some trails may become temporarily impassable.
"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."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $90 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"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
"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!"
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"
from $3 - $60 / night
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
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.
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton extends beyond its equestrian focus with diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. The 5,600-acre property sits at approximately 300 feet elevation with a mix of deciduous forest and open meadows. Trail networks accommodate multiple user groups with varying terrain difficulty, creating options for both novice and experienced riders throughout the changing seasons.
Trail riding beyond the campground: Electric hookup sites at French Creek State Park Campground provide a convenient base for day trips to Fair Hill's equestrian trails. "There are so many wonderful activities. There really is something for everyone here and if you can't find it you aren't looking very hard," notes Jen R. The park maintains several warm water fishing spots where "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish" can be caught in the lakes.
Water activities for horses and riders: When staying at Fair Hill, riders can access additional water features at Lums Pond State Park Campground just 15 minutes away. "Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," says Matt S. The pond provides cooling options for both horses and humans during summer rides, with designated entry points that don't damage shorelines.
Seasonal riding events: The management area hosts organized trail rides and equestrian events throughout the riding season. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by," adds Jen R. when describing nearby French Creek State Park as an alternative for non-riding days during extended equestrian camping trips near Plymouth Meeting.
Spacious equestrian sites: The dedicated horse camping area at Fair Hill provides ample room for trailer parking and horse containment. At nearby Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. notes "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," similar to Fair Hill's spacious setup for horse camping.
Quiet natural setting: "Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," reports Jen R. about French Creek, reflecting the similar peaceful woodland setting at Fair Hill. The natural resource management area maintains buffer zones between camping areas to reduce noise stress for horses.
Well-maintained facilities: The equestrian camping section receives regular maintenance to ensure safe conditions for horses. "The park is dry, no alcohol," Jim N. mentions about Hibernia County Park, which shares Fair Hill's focus on safety regulations in equestrian areas where horses and riders need clear conditions.
Reservation requirements: Equestrian sites must be reserved in advance through the management office. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. 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," notes Ranger Jen, describing similar hookup arrangements to Fair Hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Plymouth Meeting, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Plymouth Meeting, 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 Plymouth Meeting, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Plymouth Meeting, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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