2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
French Creek State Park Campground features equestrian trails that allow horseback riding on select paths throughout the 7,730-acre park. The campground offers 200 sites across four loops with varying levels of hookups, from primitive to full-service connections. Horse owners can access designated bridle trails directly from the camping area, with ample parking for horse trailers in the day-use areas. The park maintains separate equestrian paths that connect to the broader trail network, ensuring riders have dedicated routes away from hikers and mountain bikers. Loop C is the only pet-friendly section of the campground, making it the preferred choice for those traveling with both horses and dogs.
Located 30 minutes from Oaks, Lums Pond State Park Campground provides another option for equestrian camping with access to horse-friendly trails surrounding the 200-acre pond. The campground includes equestrian sites and an off-leash dog park with equestrian center nearby. Horse trails connect to a 7-mile loop around the pond, offering scenic riding opportunities through wooded terrain. Trailer parking is available near the equestrian center, though space can be limited during peak seasons. The recently renovated campground features concrete pads, full hookups, and spacious sites that accommodate larger vehicles needed for horse transport. Reservations fill quickly, especially for weekend stays, so booking well in advance is essential for securing equestrian-accessible 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 - $75 / 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 $27 - $45 / 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
French Creek State Park offers equestrian camping options 30 minutes from Oaks, Pennsylvania. The 7,730-acre park contains four camping loops with 200 sites ranging from primitive to full-service hookups. Loop C permits both horses and dogs, making it the preferred choice for equestrians traveling with pets. The campground provides direct access to dedicated bridle trails that connect with the park's broader trail network, keeping riders separated from hikers and mountain bikers.
Trail riding at French Creek: The park maintains designated equestrian trails throughout the property. "We loved our stay at this park, and plan to return. We tented in loop D...lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," notes Katie M. about French Creek State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Chambers Lake: Hibernia County Park offers multiple water activities for when you're not riding. "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," writes Chelsea about her experience at Hibernia County Park. The park has three bodies of water: Chambers Lake, Brandywine Creek, and a dedicated children's fishing pond.
Obstacle courses near equestrian areas: For families seeking additional adventure, some nearby parks offer unique activities. "Bike trails, Going Ape, kayaking and peaceful. Planning my next trip," shares Leah H. about the activities available at Lums Pond State Park, referring to the treetop adventure course located near the equestrian trails.
Private, spacious sites: Many horse-friendly campgrounds prioritize space between sites. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers," explains Jen R. about her experience at French Creek State Park Campground.
Equestrian-friendly layout: Starlite Camping Resort offers generous sites that accommodate horse trailers. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Too often private campgrounds attempt to squeeze as many sites as possible and end up with campers on top of their neighbors, but at Starlight, the sites felt very secluded," reports Craig F. about Starlite Camping Resort.
Year-round availability: Some equestrian campgrounds in the region remain open through winter. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," notes Galit P. about off-season camping at French Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds near Oaks require advance booking. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park Campground, which offers equestrian sites with newly renovated facilities.
Varying levels of equestrian facilities: Not all campgrounds offer the same level of horse amenities. "Sites are full hook up with about 5 tent sites. All are pretty much level. Close to shopping if needed," explains Sandy E. about Lums Pond, which has dedicated equestrian areas but limited primitive camping options.
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities at horse campgrounds range widely in quality. "Stayed here 2 nights without a reservation. We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites. Bathrooms were just okay. Muddy floors - don't know how often floors are cleaned," reports Cheryl K. about her experience at French Creek.
Playgrounds near equestrian areas: When bringing children along with horses, look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake," explains Jen R. in her review of Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Many equestrian campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for younger family members. "The lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," shares Anna about Hibernia County Park, which features a dedicated children's fishing pond separate from the main lake.
Multi-activity options: Look for horse-friendly campgrounds with diverse activities. "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," writes another Jen R. about French Creek State Park, mentioning the combination of horseback riding trails and family recreation areas.
Site selection for horse trailers: When bringing an RV and horse trailer, choose sites carefully. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," notes Amanda H. about Mountainview Campground, emphasizing the importance of checking utility placement.
Concrete pad availability: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds have upgraded their facilities. "The recently renovated campground features concrete pads, full hookups, and spacious sites that accommodate larger vehicles needed for horse transport," explains a reviewer about Lums Pond State Park, which has invested in improvements specifically beneficial for equestrian campers with RVs.
Terrain considerations: Horse-friendly campgrounds often have challenging terrain. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," advises Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort, referencing the steep access roads common at campgrounds with equestrian facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Oaks, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Oaks, 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 Oaks, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Oaks, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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