Royersford, Pennsylvania sits in the scenic Schuylkill River Valley at 200 feet above sea level, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F from June through August. Camping options range from primitive tent sites to luxury glamping accommodations, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable weather conditions for outdoor exploration in this southeastern Pennsylvania region.
What to do
Disc golf courses: 18+ holes at Boulder Woods Campground where "they have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf." The course spans much of the property and attracts tournament players.
Fishing: year-round access at French Creek State Park Campground with multiple species available. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored."
Seasonal lake activities: non-motorized watercraft allowed at Chambers Lake. "You can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," notes a camper at Hibernia County Park. Water activities are typically available April through October, with swimming prohibited at some lakes.
Hiking trails: varied difficulty levels throughout the region with some campgrounds offering direct trail access. "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," mentions a visitor about the glamping near Royersford at Lake-In-Wood Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: room to spread out at Evansburg State Park Campground where campers appreciate the layout. "Beautiful scenery! There is plenty of hiking trails. Only downside is having to haul gear by foot to the campsite. Some are further than others."
Clean facilities: regularly maintained bathhouses at most established campgrounds. "The bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes," notes one reviewer about French Creek State Park, though experiences vary by season and visitation levels.
Kid-friendly amenities: multiple playgrounds at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA where families find plenty to do. "They have activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool. Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes."
Privacy between sites: natural buffers at some campgrounds provide separation. "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors," according to a French Creek State Park camper.
What you should know
Tent site conditions: variable ground surface across campgrounds. At Quakerwoods Campground, "The tent sites are pretty much on top of each other, not much privacy. It's next to a farm so the sunrise is pretty nice. They deliver firewood to your site, and the staff is friendly."
Seasonal limitations: check opening dates as most glamping facilities operate April through October. "The campground is only open on the weekends, in season. Sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration," explains a camper at Hibernia County Park.
Road noise: proximity to highways affects some campgrounds. "Nice place, a bit too close to the highways," mentions a Boulder Woods Campground reviewer, while others note the Pennsylvania Turnpike is audible from certain sites.
Reservation requirements: weekends book early especially during summer months. Many glamping accommodations near Royersford need to be reserved 2-3 months in advance for prime weekends, with some yurts and specialty accommodations booking up to 6 months ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: plan for all ages at Lake-In-Wood Campground where "There is a big lawn in the middle which rolls down to the lake. The weekend we were there they had a chicken dinner. It was actually very good. We experienced the hayride around the campground."
Camp store supplies: check operating hours as they vary by location. "The camp store had everything plus, and very reasonably priced," notes a Boulder Woods Campground visitor, though some stores close early or operate weekend-only during off-peak seasons.
Playground access: multiple options at many family-oriented campgrounds. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Pet policies: designated loops at some parks like French Creek State Park. "Loop C 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."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: measure before booking at Tohickon Family Campground where space constraints exist. "Nice new gravel and hook ups. Spacious sites. Large stream with fishing. WiFi good. ATT poor."
Leveling challenges: uneven terrain at many wooded campgrounds. "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," explains a Hibernia County Park visitor who camps in a 28-foot fifth wheel.
Hookup variations: limited full-service sites across the region. "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle," warns an RVer staying at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, suggesting trailers and fifth wheels have easier maneuvering.
Seasonal site restrictions: age limits at some facilities. "They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13. Very disappointed," notes a Boulder Woods visitor, highlighting the importance of checking specific campground policies before arrival.
