2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area accommodates equestrian campers at its primitive campsites with access to the extensive trail system. Located in Elkton, Maryland, approximately 40 miles from Collegeville, the area features drinking water, electric hookups, toilets, and trash facilities for overnight horse enthusiasts. The primitive camping area connects directly to over 80 miles of maintained trails through forests and fields. Sites accommodate both tents and smaller RVs with ample space for horse trailers, though no dedicated horse corrals are available at the campground itself.
The trail system at Fair Hill connects to numerous riding routes throughout its 5,600 acres, making it popular with regional equestrians. Riders should bring their own containment systems as highlines or portable corrals are necessary for overnight horse stays. Water access for horses is available near the camping areas, though riders should verify seasonal availability before arrival. Trail conditions remain consistently well-maintained throughout most of the year with minimal closures. The interconnected trail network offers rides ranging from short loops to full-day journeys with varying terrain suitable for horses of different experience levels. Camping reservations are required, and equestrians should specify horse accommodations when booking to ensure appropriate spacing between sites.
"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 next weekend
from $20 - $90 / 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
"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 next weekend
from $17 - $32 / 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!"
"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."
"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."
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
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level in northern Maryland's rolling piedmont region. Located about 40 miles from Collegeville, this equestrian-friendly camping area connects directly to over 5,600 acres of mixed hardwood forest and open meadows. Most trails remain open year-round with minimal seasonal closures, though spring conditions can create muddy sections on lower elevation paths.
Trail riding opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, riders access multiple trail systems for different experience levels. "There are many trails for hiking, family friendly," notes Katie M., who mentions the extensive trail network that connects throughout the 7,526-acre property.
Water activities: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers electric-motor boating and paddling options for campers seeking alternatives to riding. "Lots of boating, family friendly environment with tons of extra curricular activities for all," explains Heather P. The pond supports various fish species and provides calm waters for beginners.
Historic exploration: Within short driving distance of Fair Hill, visitors can explore several historic sites. Robert J. from Mountainview Campground mentions, "Close to the River Towns in NJ, it feels remote when you are in the wooded spots." Many equestrian trails pass by historic structures and foundations dating to the 18th century.
Private camping areas: At Fair Hill, equestrian sites provide more separation than typical campgrounds. Jennifer S. from Hibernia County Park describes similar camping experiences: "Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary."
Accessible trail connections: Horse campers appreciate direct access to trail systems without needing to trailer. "The interconnected trail network offers rides ranging from short loops to full-day journeys with varying terrain," notes one camper. Another adds, "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance as important. Craig F. from Starlite Camping Resort shares, "The employees in the camp store are amazing and go out of their way to make you feel welcome! Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay."
Reservation requirements: All equestrian camping at Fair Hill requires advance booking. Similar to Spruce Run Recreation Area, where Jules T. notes, "Park employees and park police drive around through the day," expect regular patrols to check camping permits.
Horse containment systems: No permanent corrals exist at Fair Hill campsites, requiring campers to bring portable containment. "You can bring a camper, tent, or use one of the cabins. Many sites have a lovely water view," shares Jocelyn G. about nearby camping options.
Trailer parking limitations: Sites accommodate standard horse trailers but have size restrictions for larger rigs. According to one camper, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs."
Multi-activity planning: Equestrian camping with families works best when planning mixed activities. Anna from Spruce Run explains, "There was so much to see and hiking trails in the campground and nearby. I will be back as often as I can and hopefully be able to rent a kayak."
Playground access: Unlike some equestrian-only facilities, Fair Hill provides playground facilities near camping areas. Ellen C. reports, "There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural area supports diverse wildlife viewing. Christina H. describes her experience: "We heard foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise! For some of us, this is what camping is all about."
Electric-only considerations: Most equestrian sites at Fair Hill have electric hookups but no water connections at individual sites. Mark from Lums Pond shares, "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus."
Hauling preparation: The access roads include significant hills requiring proper towing capacity. Chris G. advises, "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills. There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it's up on a big hill."
Site selection for horse trailers: When booking, request sites with adequate parking for both living quarters and horse trailer. According to one camper, "The sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Collegeville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Collegeville, 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 Collegeville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Collegeville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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