Thornton's camping terrain features elevations ranging from 370 to 520 feet across rolling Chester County hills. The area transitions between deciduous forest and farmland clearings, creating varied microclimates that campers should prepare for with layered clothing. Spring camping often means temperature swings of 30°F between day and night.
What to do
Hiking trails: 8+ miles accessible from campsites. French Creek State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks with both paved and natural surface paths. "We took a hike around the lake - we were toting three kids, one of which was in a stroller. I was able to fit 5 diapers, a large bottle of suntan lotion, a pack of wipes, snack container, travel changing pad," shares one visitor at French Creek State Park Campground.
Kayaking and fishing: 30-minute rentals from $15. Multiple campsites offer water recreation with easy access. A visitor at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA notes, "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float. The camp store is well stocked with essentials and there is a pizza place close by that delivers."
Horseback riding: Bring your own horse. Some campgrounds accommodate equestrians with specific trails. At Evansburg State Park, "Great place to creek hike, nice for horses, we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully," explains one reviewer.
What campers like
Spacious sites: 30+ feet between setups. Many campers appreciate the generous spacing at certain campgrounds. "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. Nice area to wash dishes," notes a visitor at French Creek State Park.
Premium outdoor amenities: Fire features with seating. Several campgrounds offer enhanced outdoor living spaces. "The premium sites are nice with paved patios, fancy firepits, BBQ grill, and tables with umbrellas," shares a camper at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Rural views: Farm scenery from campgrounds. The pastoral setting draws many campers. A visitor at Lancaster-New Holland KOA explains, "Great site with level gravel with well-maintained utility hook-ups. Close to Longwood Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware, and a handful of local museums and gardens. Not too far from Philadelphia."
What you should know
Yurt camping in Thornton, Pennsylvania requires advance booking. Specialty accommodations fill quickly, especially at French Creek. A camper notes, "I've stayed at French Creek in the past however, we have never stayed in Loop C before. This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved."
Premium yurt options near Thornton require 3-month advance reservations. The limited yurt accommodations at Lums Pond State Park Campground fill quickly. "I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond. I don't know if it's the host campers or the management, but they're definitely doing something right," explains one visitor.
No alcohol allowed at some parks. County and state campgrounds enforce strict rules. One camper at Hibernia County Park notes, "County park so no booze but camp sites are under trees. Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options for different ages. Many campgrounds feature child-friendly facilities. A visitor to Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA shares, "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there - a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more."
Budget-friendly activities: Under $20 for entire families. Several campgrounds offer affordable recreation. At Hibernia County Park, one camper explains, "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites within 15 miles. The region offers learning experiences alongside camping. A visitor notes, "If you're looking for a place close to home, there's also Hopewell National Furnace and St. Peter's Village with shops and restaurants and hiking trails as well."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request detailed dimensions before booking. Not all sites accommodate larger rigs despite listings. One RVer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Quarryville cautions, "We stayed in C1 during the hottest week in the summer. The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn't look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
Utility access: Bring extra water hose lengths. Some campgrounds have shared hookups requiring additional equipment. "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," advises an RVer.
Backing assistance: Call ahead for guidance on difficult sites. Some campgrounds have challenging access. An RVer notes, "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. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road."
