The Villanova area offers camping options in the scenic northern foothills of the Piedmont Plateau, with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level. Winter camping cabins near Villanova, Pennsylvania remain accessible even during colder months, with average winter temperatures between 20-40°F, making cabin camping a practical year-round option for those wanting to explore the region's diverse state parks and private campgrounds.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Boulder Woods Campground features an extensive disc golf course popular with both beginners and experienced players. "The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight. Gorgeous place though. They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf," noted a visitor to Boulder Woods Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Evansburg State Park offers multiple fishing spots along creeks and waterways. "Great park to do everything outdoorsy including hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. I caught a beautiful Brown Trout here a few weeks ago! Great park," shared a visitor. The park requires a standard fishing license, plus a $9.90 trout endorsement for specific species.
Creek exploration: Families with children enjoy creek hiking at Evansburg State Park. "Great place to creek hike, nice for horses, we did get a lot of ticks, but not deer ticks, thankfully," mentioned one reviewer. The streams provide natural play areas with shallow sections appropriate for supervised younger children.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: French Creek State Park provides campsites with good separation between neighbors. "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. Very nice playground area and clean," shared one camper at French Creek State Park Campground.
Peaceful atmosphere: Campers frequently mention the quiet environment at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA. "I arrived on a Tuesday a few days after they closed the pool, and by Wednesday I had the whole row of tent sites to myself. Maybe that's why it was so peaceful, but every night after my cacophonous conference in Philadelphia, I couldn't wait to turn down Timberlane Road and see that little KOA sign glowing in the darkness," noted a visitor to Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
River views: Premium sites at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA overlook the Brandywine River. "The sites, particularly those on the Brandywine River, have amazing views. They are close enough for you to camp with a group, but most also have a small fence between each site to clearly delineate between the sites," explained a camper. These riverside sites remain among the most requested locations at the campground.
What you should know
All-season access: Some cabin options remain open year-round, including during 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. I'm a women in my thirties traveling alone and I felt very safe here," reported a visitor to French Creek State Park.
Tent site quality varies: Sites at Quakerwoods Campground have mixed reviews regarding space and privacy. "The tent spots 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," noted a camper at Quakerwoods Campground.
Cabin availability limitations: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. "Stayed here in our RV. It was the closest campground to Philly so we called a Lyft to get us into the city. The staff was super friendly and helpful. We also filled our propane tank here. The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds," mentioned a camper about Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Many campgrounds feature multiple play areas. "The camp playground was brand new when we arrived and they had just broken ground (September 2020). There are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages. They also have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool," reported a visitor to Philadelphia-West Chester KOA.
Family activities: Organized weekend programs for children occur at various sites. "They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget. The place is so clean including the bathrooms. Everyone we came in contact with staff wise was so friendly," shared a camper about Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
Kid-friendly fishing: Old Cedar Campground offers fishing opportunities suitable for younger anglers. "The wonderful part was having them visit us - for $8 per day the grandchildren were able to play miniature golf, swim in the pool (they had pool toys to borrow) fish (and yes they caught bass), every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," mentioned a reviewer at Old Cedar Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Larger RVs may face challenges at some campgrounds. "The sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs," noted a visitor to Village Scene Park. Consider checking specific site dimensions before booking if you have a larger rig.
Water hookup distances: At some locations, water connections require extra equipment. "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," advised an RVer at Old Cedar Campground.
Utility locations: Electrical and water hookups vary in placement across different campgrounds. "Clean and level gravel site with well-maintained utility hook-ups," reported an RVer at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA. It's advisable to bring extension cords and adapters to accommodate various configurations.
