1 campground with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland offers equestrian campsites with access to extensive trail systems for horseback riding. The management area includes basic facilities with electric hookups, water, restrooms, and trash disposal. Specific horse amenities include designated equine areas and organized trail networks that connect to various parts of the 5,000+ acre natural resource area. Sites remain open year-round for horse camping, with rustic accommodations that primarily serve youth and group camping needs. The management area limits pets on the premises, requiring specific planning for those bringing animals other than horses.
The trails at Fair Hill connect to multiple riding routes throughout the management area, providing equestrians direct access to diverse terrain. Primitive camping conditions require horse owners to bring necessary equipment for securing their animals, as built-in corrals are limited. Group camping is emphasized at this location, with specific regulations governing group size and usage. Water is available but riders should confirm accessibility for horses at specific campsites before arrival. Trail riders note the well-maintained paths and natural terrain offering enjoyable riding experiences throughout different seasons. The management area's year-round operation makes it a reliable destination for equestrian camping near Quarryville, though advanced planning is recommended to secure group reservations. Riders looking for horse campgrounds near Quarryville will find Fair Hill a practical base, with direct trail access spanning thousands of acres of varied terrain.
"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 - $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
"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
from $22 - $100 / night
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 offers equestrian camping 23 miles southwest of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, across the Maryland border. The management area spans over 5,000 acres of rolling terrain with a network of trails specifically designed for horseback riding. Most sites remain open year-round with basic electric hookups and water access points for riders traveling with horses.
Horseback riding on maintained trails: The trails at Fair Hill connect throughout the natural resources area with routes that accommodate different riding levels. "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. about Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.
Fishing at local lakes: Multiple fishing spots are available within a 30-minute drive. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run," reports Ellen C. about her experience at French Creek State Park Campground.
Hiking wooded trails: The region offers numerous hiking paths through forested areas. "We went for a small hike around the lake - we were toting three kids, one of which was in a stroller," shares a reviewer about Blackbird State Forest Campground, showing the accessibility of many local trails.
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer good separation between sites. "The campground is laid out well. There are three separate loops to camp at, Loop C is the only loop that allows pets, plus an area for large group camping which can accommodate anywhere from 30 to 60 people," explains a camper at French Creek State Park Campground.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the upkeep of bathrooms and common areas. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," notes Jen R. about her camping experience.
Quiet, natural settings: The wooded environment creates a peaceful atmosphere. "We LOVE camping here as the campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," shares a visitor to Hibernia County Park, located just 18 miles from Quarryville.
Reservation requirements: Many equestrian campsites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground, which offers trails connecting to their camping areas.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Some horse camping areas have minimal facilities. "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," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts trail conditions throughout the year. "We have been having a crazy amount of rain here in Pennsylvania so due to weather related issues we haven't been able to get out there until now," reports a ranger at French Creek State Park, noting how conditions can change quickly.
Equestrian-specific rules: Each management area has particular regulations for horses. "There are specific rules that need to be followed and the guidelines are on the website," reminds a reviewer about equestrian camping protocols.
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Children appreciate dedicated play areas between trail rides. "Very nice playground area and clean," mentions Jen R. about her family's experience at a local campground.
Consider sites near bathrooms: With children, proximity to facilities matters. "Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers," notes a visitor at Starlite Camping Resort, expressing appreciation for convenient site location.
Pack for variable weather: The Pennsylvania climate can change quickly, especially in spring and fall. "We were packing up a severe thunderstorm rolled through. The bag was in the rain and I was surprised that everything inside was dry!" shares a camper about their experience with sudden weather changes.
Check site dimensions before booking: Many horse campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room," advises a camper familiar with the area's campgrounds.
Bring extra water storage: Limited hookups at some equestrian sites require planning. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites," explains Craig F. about Starlite Camping Resort, highlighting the importance of knowing your utility situation.
Level sites are available but not guaranteed: Some campgrounds require preparation. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," notes Mark, sharing his experience at Lums Pond State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Quarryville, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Quarryville, 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 Quarryville, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Quarryville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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