French Creek State Park Campground and Lums Pond State Park both offer upscale glamping accommodations near Villanova, with yurts providing a unique outdoor experience while maintaining modern comforts. The sites include electricity, comfortable beds, and climate control options that create a resort-style atmosphere within natural settings. One guest noted, "The glamping tents were more glamorous than we had tried before, with a good combination of woodsy and comfort." These eco-friendly accommodations feature private picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean shower facilities, making them ideal for travelers seeking nature without sacrificing conveniences. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA also provides glamping options with enhanced amenities like nearby modern bathrooms described by visitors as "sparkling clean."
The natural surroundings of these glamping resorts offer numerous recreational opportunities, with hiking trails and water activities being particularly popular. French Creek State Park provides access to fishing areas and wooded paths for wildlife observation, while Evansburg State Park features horseback riding trails and trout fishing. According to a visitor, "It's a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors." Many glamping sites remain open from April through October, though some like Philadelphia South KOA operate year-round. Locations are strategically positioned for both natural immersion and convenience to urban attractions, with the Clarksboro KOA situated just 20-40 minutes from Philadelphia, allowing glampers to easily combine outdoor relaxation with city exploration. On-site amenities often include communal fire pits, small lakes or ponds, and seasonal programming.
$24 - $122 / night
"No pets though. B and C loop felt like the spaces were very close to each other. A loop was closed at this point."
"Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed."
"This is a nice KOA with full hook ups, tent sites,cabins, and even glamping cabins. There is a pool that is open Memorial Day- Labor Day."
"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."
$43 / night
"Since he was 2 years old I’ve taken my son, and we always have an amazing time, either hiking the trails to wandering in the woods looking for “adventures”."
"It was a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors."
$59 - $86 / night
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
"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."
"It was quite muddy so we moved our set up into the grass field, we reserved the majority of the sites in this location so it worked well. The RV spots seem nice and large."
"Great camp ground with very friendly staff. Lots of activities for kids. Stayed for a full week and will be returning"
$20 - $30 / night
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
$22 - $37 / night
"The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area. Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side."
"Great secluded campground, peaceful. Great bath houses, always super clean. Some engineering genious put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most."
"Pros Great People beautiful surroundings Nice Bathrooms Quiet and Peaceful Accessible Nice Pool Every store U could Need is in about 15 mins Away Not Alot of Stupid rules just Be respectful Pet friendly"
"Nothing bad about this place, I love that it's set far enough away from the main road that you don't get the noise."
$15 - $50 / night
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
"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."
"As for the campground, which is just off Exit 44 of PA Turnpike or Exit 60 & 60A off of I78, you’ll encounter a destination offering up 170 mostly back-in slots with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric"
"We have a pop-up with no bathroom so we use the bathhouses. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. Plenty of activities. General store ia well-stocked. Plenty of things for kids to do."
TravelerStarlite offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units. Staff was very friendly! Loved the cleanliness and atmosphere as well!
LegendWashington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history. The Pennsylvania side is all about historic buildings, museums and picnic spots, while the New Jersey side (Washington Crossing State Park) offers organized group tent camping. This isn’t the place for a cushy RV getaway or individual tenters looking to sneak in for the night, but rather a structured, group-style camping steeped in Revolutionary War atmosphere. First impressions? More Boy Scout jamboree than weekend getaway, but if you’re here for camaraderie and heritage, you’ve hit the mark.
Facilities are deliberately minimal. On the Pennsylvania side, camping is limited to a handful of Scout-designated sites with portable toilets, no running water and zero frills. Across the river in New Jersey, the official group camping area provides open tent-only sites with no hookups, no pets and strict quiet hours. Think old-school camping: fire rings, pit toilets and a heavy dose of ‘leave no trace’ ethos. Reservations are required, permits are non-negotiable and the max stay tops out at 14 nights. What you do get is a wide, peaceful forest setting with plenty of space for tents, youth groups or scout troops along with the kind of simplicity that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Beyond the tent pads, the surrounding parks are rich with history and outdoor options. On the Pennsylvania side, you’ll find the visitor center, historic McConkey’s Ferry Inn, Bowman’s Hill Tower, and interpretive programs that bring the Revolutionary War era to life. Picnic areas and a boat launch offer ways to enjoy the Delaware River. In New Jersey, miles of wooded trails lead you through rolling hills and historic landscapes, perfect for hiking and birdwatching. It’s a spot where history buffs, scouts and nature seekers can all find common ground.
Insider Tips? Here’s a handful: (1) The best group sites are the ones tucked furthest from the trailhead as (surprise, surprise) they’re quieter and offer more privacy; (2) Stock up before arriving, as there are no supply stores inside the park, so head on over to nearby Weis Markets in Langhorne or ShopRite in Fairless Hills, both of which are on the PA-side; (3) Be sure to bring all your own water as none is available onsite; (4) Kayakers should launch from the Pennsylvania side’s boat access for an iconic paddle on the Delaware River; (5) Visit the park’s historic reenactments, especially the Christmas Day Crossing event as it’s easily the most memorable history lesson you’ll ever get outdoors; and (6) When you’re done camping, fuel up at It’s Nutts Restaurant on the Jersey side in Titusville for classic diner-style comfort food or Francisco’s on the River for Italian fare with Delaware River views.
Happy Camping!
GuideI was able to book my site the day before the trip. The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area.
Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side. Firewood was $5 a bundle, but the register wasn't working and they could only take cash.
The hiking in the immediate area was beautiful, lots of fun trails and wildlife. Fishing, kayaking, zip lining, tons of great activities.
The firepits have grates over one half, so campfire cooking is a breeze. Cook up and use the provided picnic table for an easy dinner set up.
The park itself is very dog friendly and most sites had dogs. There is also an off leash dog park at Lum's pond and dog water dishes outside the camp store.
The showers and bathrooms were incredibly well kept with hot water and stocked supplies. If you didn't feel like walking so far, the tents had a spiget with running water near the parking areas.
Reception for Verizon was spotty, t mobile was pretty great. Wish there was an ATM on site though I don't think the cash only situation is a normal one for this campground.
All in all an amazing trip, and I'll be back as soon as possible.
GuideNo electrical and no pets allowed in camp sites. But plenty of trees and huge fire rings in each spot. An RV would have a tough time but for car camping it’s great. The Delaware Canal is nearby with the tow path for biking. That makes this a nice Bikepacking stop.
LegendWest Chester KOA This is a really nice KOA not too far from downtown Philly. The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy. A bridge nearby the campground was washed out earlier by a hurricane so we had to take an alternative route going about thirty minutes out of our way. (Make sure you check their website for directions!) There is a lot to do in the surrounding area like visiting the historical sites in downtown Philadelphia, Valley Forge, or exploring Amish country.
This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities and activities for kids– swimming pool, jump pad, miniature golf, volleyball, butterfly garden, gem mining, playground, store, dog park, nature trail, etc. There is a large pool area with pavilion but it was closed during our stay since we were there early in the season. The campground is right on the Brandywine River which is a slow meandering pretty river that is great to get your feet wet or go for a paddle. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent if you have time and as there is very little current in the river you can paddle out and back without any trouble. There is a nice, short nature trail which was nice to walk our dog and she enjoyed getting wet in the river.
The campground is hilly which means that a fair number of sites are not level. Our site (#27) was level for our RV but the patio sloped downhill and we could not use our picnic table or find a level spot for our chairs. Some sites are “premiums” with paved patios, Adirondack chairs, fancy firepits, BBQ grill, and tables and chairs with an umbrella. These sites are really nice, but you pay a lot more for them. Some sites are located adjacent to the river with nice waterfront views, but beware some might be muddy. There are lots of camping cabins and a couple of glamping tents.
Overall, the campground is very clean with no trash lying around and the grass was mowed and trimmed. The 50-amp electric was good as was the water pressure. The sewer connection uphill from our site so it did not drain properly. There is basic cable but since you are so close to Philly there are plenty of over-the-air channels. The Wi-Fi at our site worked well. Garbage is picked up at your site. The surrounding area has plenty of restaurants, shopping, and interesting things to see and do.
LegendPROS
Reserved 328 days prior to arriving
$13.50 senior discount
Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful
Site C3 parking pad level asphalt
Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable
One hook lantern pole
Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival
Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites
Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP
CONS
$6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation
Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching
Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together
Pitiful low water pressure in Loop C
Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level
Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking
Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday
Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable)
Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced
Lots of barking dogs
No wood sales in park
No WiFi
1 bar Verizon
GuideFirst time camping at this park and it was perfect. Even though it rained all weekend, we explored the area by car, even tried some fishing off the pier and we got to get some much needed rest and relaxation in. D Loop seemed like the best loop (for tent campers such as us). Pretty spacious between sites. No pets though. B and C loop felt like the spaces were very close to each other. A loop was closed at this point. Bathhouses can use an upgrade but has flush toilets and hot showers which is all you need.
RangerWe stayed here for 3 nights while visiting family In Philadelphia. It is a 20 minute ride into Philly and Uber was was quick and responsive.
*note- this does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change.
This is a nice KOA with full hook ups, tent sites,cabins, and even glamping cabins. There is a pool that is open Memorial Day- Labor Day. They also have a catch and release pond and we found a pickleball court at a nearby city park.
We did Chinatown and walked part of the Schuylkill River trail which we accessed by parking near Fairmount Park. This is a great area to explore with gorgeous views and easy access to the River trail. (There are rentals for everything here- kayaks/bikes etc)
IF we had a car with us- we would have considered taking the ferry from Camden’s Ferry Terminal next to Wiggins Park to Philly. (This is also near the Adventure Aquarium and the battleship New Jersey) Here is a link to information about the ferry-
https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/riverlink-ferry
This is a great location for exploring Philadelphia.
Happy Camping! Pamela and Keith
GuideI 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. In addition to the peaceful vibe, the people are friendly, the little office store has everything you forgot to pack, and if you look around the campground edges or follow the walking trail into the woods, you will find wonderful native plants like blueberry, viburnum, clethra, and meadow beauty.
Glamping destinations around Villanova sit within the Piedmont Plateau region of Pennsylvania, characterized by rolling hills and moderate elevations between 300-500 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer brings humidity and temperatures averaging 80-90°F. Local camping options range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV pads with partial shade common at most campgrounds.
Fishing opportunities: 12 miles from campus at French Creek State Park Campground, where two lakes offer diverse catch options. "Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes one visitor.
Disc golf course: 30-minute drive at Boulder Woods Campground, perfect for beginners or experienced players. "They sell disc golf things in the store as well. This course is huge and brings in groups who play for the day," shares a regular camper. The course winds through wooded areas, adding natural obstacles.
Year-round water activities: 40 minutes away at Lums Pond State Park, featuring a 200-acre pond. "Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There's an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp," explains a frequent visitor. Rental equipment available seasonally.
Private camping spaces: Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park offers natural surroundings just 35 minutes from Villanova. "Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails," reports one camper, highlighting the understated charm of this county park.
Well-maintained facilities: At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, visitors consistently mention cleanliness. "The restrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds," wrote one reviewer. Another noted, "The place is so clean including the bathrooms. Everyone we came in contact with staff wise was so friendly."
Unique accommodation options: Hibernia County Park provides affordable tent camping in a beautiful setting. "We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There's running water available, porta potties are very clean and don't smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night," shares a family camper.
Seasonal operation: Most glamping close to Villanova, Pennsylvania shuts down during winter. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early, make sure you have cash on you," advises a French Creek camper about one of the few year-round options.
Site spacing varies significantly: Evansburg State Park Campground offers better isolation than others. "It's a great place to walk with your dog and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors," notes a regular visitor. Meanwhile, at Green Lane Park, "The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Villanova, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Villanova, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 81 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Villanova, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 46 glamping camping locations near Villanova, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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