Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland provides equestrian facilities about 30 miles from Essington. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water hookups available at campsites. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the facilities, the campground is part of a larger natural resource area with extensive trail systems suitable for horseback riding. Trails are well maintained and connect to various parts of the management area. The park enforces a no-alcohol policy and requires campers to dispose of trash properly.
Located across state lines, Brendan Byrne State Forest in Woodland, New Jersey offers another option approximately 40 miles from Essington for horse enthusiasts. The forest features tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with access to nature trails. Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, with drinking water available throughout the campground. While specific horse facilities aren't detailed in the data, the state forest provides access to trail systems suitable for riding. The extensive wooded areas and natural setting make this location popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Most sites are reservable, and the forest maintains shower facilities and toilets for camper comfort. Trash disposal is available on-site, and firewood can be purchased at the market within the park.
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $75 / 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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $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
"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
"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
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.
French Creek State Park campground provides versatile camping opportunities 40 miles northwest of Essington, Pennsylvania. The area features pine forests with rolling hills at elevations between 500-800 feet. The region averages 47 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures typically reaching 80°F during peak camping months.
Hiking trails: French Creek State Park offers extensive trail networks for day hikes. "There are a ton of picnic tables too so you can take a lunch and just sit by the lake to relax and have a bite to eat," notes one reviewer at French Creek State Park. Trail difficulty varies from flat lakeside paths to more challenging terrain.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots exist within a short drive of Essington. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," according to a French Creek State Park visitor. Ice fishing is also permitted on some lakes during winter months.
Water activities: From kayaking to swimming, water recreation options abound. "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely!" shares a camper from French Creek State Park. Many campgrounds maintain seasonal swimming areas with designated hours.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots at Hibernia County Park. "It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do except walk or bike the beautiful trails, spend time on Chamber's Lake, spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," explains one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank highly in reviews. At Lums Pond State Park, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," notes a visitor. Many campgrounds feature renovated shower buildings.
Level campsites: Several parks offer prepared tent and RV pads. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," mentions a French Creek State Park camper. This feature particularly benefits RV campers needing stability.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Essington require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "Most sites are reservable," and visitors should book well ahead for weekend camping.
Alcohol policies: Rules vary significantly between parks. "Since this is a State Park there is no alcohol allowed. The Park Rangers drive by regularly," cautions a French Creek visitor. Always check specific regulations before packing coolers.
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds offer minimal services. At Hibernia County Park, "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," advises a reviewer.
Seasonal operations: Operating schedules vary widely. Hibernia County Park "is only open on the weekends, in season," according to a camper, while other parks maintain year-round accessibility with reduced winter services.
Playground access: Blackbird State Forest offers family-friendly camping areas. "Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents," reports a visitor. Many campgrounds maintain playground equipment within walking distance of campsites.
Kid-friendly trails: Short hiking options keep younger campers engaged. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes a French Creek visitor, highlighting opportunities for young anglers.
Safety considerations: Campground patrols provide security at many locations. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening," explains a reviewer, adding a level of security for families.
Site dimensions: Check campsite specifications before booking. At Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, RV sites come with electric hookups but vary in size. Hibernia County Park advises that "sites #3, #17 & #18 and plenty of sites will fit a small RV or pop up camper. They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Water access points: RVers should plan water needs carefully. "There is one spigot at the bathroom," notes a Hibernia County Park visitor, advising campers to arrive with full tanks at campgrounds with limited facilities.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds provide full services. Hibernia County Park has "NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee," advises a reviewer, suggesting RVers research options before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Essington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Essington, 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 Essington, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Essington, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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