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Equestrian Camping near Villanova, PA

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    Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area near Elkton, Maryland provides equestrian camping options within 25 miles of Villanova. The 5,600-acre park features designated camping areas suitable for visitors with horses. Sites include access to water for horses and space for trailer parking. Bathroom facilities are available near the camping areas, though shower accommodations are limited. The campground maintains toilets and trash facilities but does not offer horse-specific amenities like dedicated corrals. Many sites accommodate tent and RV camping with electric hookups available. The park enforces a no-alcohol policy, and pets are not permitted in camping areas to minimize interaction with horses.

    Extensive trail networks connect directly to the camping areas, offering riders easy access to miles of bridle paths through diverse terrain. Many trails follow former railroad beds and cross streams, providing both gentle and challenging riding options. Water access points along the trails allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. The campground operates year-round, making it accessible for winter riding enthusiasts. Trail maps are available at the park office. Riders should bring their own containment systems as highlines and tie-outs are not provided. Visitors mention the well-maintained trails and ample parking space for horse trailers as standout features. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons in spring and fall when the campground reaches capacity quickly.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Villanova (9)

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      1. French Creek State Park Campground

      4.2(83)26mi from Villanova227 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $20 - $75 / night

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      2. Lums Pond State Park Campground

      4.5(52)39mi from Villanova73 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $22 - $40 / night

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      3. Hibernia County Park

      4.0(8)26mi from VillanovaTents, Glamping

      "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

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      4. Mountainview Campground

      4.8(16)43mi from VillanovaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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!"

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      5. Brendan Byrne State Forest

      4.7(18)45mi from VillanovaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"

      "First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"

      from $3 - $60 / night

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      6. Spruce Run Recreation Area

      4.2(15)49mi from VillanovaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

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      7. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area

      4.5(2)35mi from VillanovaRVs, Tents
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      8. Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE

      4.8(6)49mi from VillanovaTents

      "The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."

      "I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."

      from $25 / night

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      9. Starlite Camping Resort

      4.7(6)49mi from VillanovaRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Villanova, PA

    2 Photos of 9 Villanova Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Villanova, PA

    205 Reviews of 9 Villanova Campgrounds

    • Amanda K.
      Aug. 14, 2022

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Reviews are misleading, they don’t offer what they use to

      I’m sure one point in time this use to be a 4-5 star campground. It is a far stretch from that today.

      PROS:

      AT&T / Cricket cell service Paved loops good for bicycles

      CONS:

      The large pool you see in pictures, is not operating.

      The kayak/canoe rentals is not operating.

      It is prohibited to take a swim in the lake.

      A majority of the campsites are small and stacked right on top of each-other. Ours, C15, was a rocky terrain making it difficult for our children to walk around.

      Loop A has many parking pads that are on a significant sloop making it very difficult to level your camper/rv

      The bathrooms don’t seem to be well maintained or cleaned.

      No camp store

      No place to buy firewood

      THE WORST PART - The park rangers are on the boarder-line of harassment. They constantly patrol the area and seek out reasons to write tickets. We have witnessed them rummaging around peoples campsites when they were away from their sites. It doesn’t take much to do something wrong. Your vehicle tires must be on the pavement pad, they cannot be touching the grass. If your vehicle cannot fit it must go in “over flow parking” which isn’t close by. Any evidence of alcohol is surly a fine.

      NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Hopewell Furnace Historical Site Birdsboro Preserve St. Peters Classic Auto Mall Museum Ryerss Farm for aged equestrians

    • Ellen B.
      May. 23, 2019

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Great place in the back yard

      We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.

      Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. 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. There’s an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp. Book early because it fills up fast!

    • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 24, 2021

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Feels crowded

      This PA state park felt, upon first impression, very tightly spaced and had an overall crowded feel in loop C, the only dog friendly electric loop. The sites that aren’t ADA have more space between them than we did.  Our site C41 was full hookup as are several others (1-7, 39-47). This is an ADA site, there are several of them. Perhaps this is why it’s crowded so they could fit extra ADA sites? They are very level and have paved pads, but also a paved picnic pad, and paved fire ring pad. Non ADA full hookup sites appeared to be the nicest though they were narrow and some weren’t level side to side. There were a lot of rocks embedded in the ground around and on many sites. Non ADA sites have only a paved pad for the RV. The picnic table and fire ring were behind our RV and when sitting at them, we were within view of sites 37, 39, and 40. I felt like I was in a townhouse setting. Non ADA sites varied as to where picnic and fire rings were set. Also many sites looked like there was quite a drop off at the edge of the already narrow pad so that you had a big step down off your last RV step. Site C42 is ADA and is a nice, semi private, spacious site. Though I’d choose from sites  #1-7 next time. ALL parking pads are 45’ long.

      Loop B has a mix of electric and non electric but doesn’t allow pets. That loop was more spacious and had trees between some  sites so it felt  more private. The sites appeared level. There are Yurts and mini cabins outside Loop C that had lots of space around them. Loop A is a pet loop but no electric. However, it’s closed now for what appears to be renovations. Loop D is non electric, no pets.

      The campground had no vacancy on this particular weekend. One car allowed per site and most had to park perpendicular. Sites were short (45’ long). 2nd cars are $5 a night but wouldn’t fit in most sites.

      The day use areas have frisbee golf, boat rentals, fishing, hunting, hiking, and a pool that overlooks the lake. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is adjacent to the park but was not fully open due to covid. It’s a large state park. The pool was nice looking but not open until Memorial Day. Boat rentals are available weekends in May and Sept. and daily all summer. These amenities were far from the campground and would require driving your car. Hiking trails were plentiful but most were labeled as “more difficult.”  Horse back riding is allowed on some trails. I didn’t see any trails that started at the campground loops. 

      Overall, it’s an adequate campground but not my favorite.

    • Christina S.
      Aug. 13, 2017

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Great local getaway

      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, there's a lake but unfortunately you can't swim in it, they have a public pool but we opted for hiking instead.

    • Ellen C.
      Oct. 5, 2019

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Ranger Review: Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent at French Creek State Park

      Campground Review: French Creek State Park Campground is located in Elverson, Pennsylvania and sits adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites. There are also several cottages, cabins and yurts available as well.

      For this trip, my husband and I camped alongside our friends, which included three other couples and their children, so we took up two electric sites for the tent campers and two full hook up sites for our friends with RVs. We stayed in Loop C, which is the only dog friendly loop in the campground, on sites 35, 37, 39,& 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers.

      Normally site 35 would have been way too small for our usual gear– a behemoth 9X15 tent- but it was a perfect fit for the tent I was reviewing on this trip. Our friends, who have the same large tent as us, stayed on site 37 and had plenty of space to pitch it, but many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent so keep this in mind if you have a large family sized tent. I’ve included a few photos of the surrounding sites for future reference. The bath/shower house in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend, however it is definitely in need of an update.

      We also checked out the other loops for future use and found Loop A to have very spacious, less rocky sites, however, there was little shrubbery between each site, making them less private than the sites in Loop C.

      There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run. It’s a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site.

      We found several places nearby to purchase wood, besides the supermarket and a nursery in town, there are a few residents that sell it right on their front lawn so be on the look-out en route to the park entrance.

      Generally, we camp in the off season, and usually have the whole place to ourselves, so I had some concern prior to arrival that every site in every loop was booked for the whole weekend and expected it to be noisy, however, I was pleasantly surprised. It was quiet and our neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and our space. It was a wonderfully peaceful weekend for us all and we will definitely visit again soon.

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Product Review: Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent

      As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally offered the opportunity to test new outdoor products. For this trip I tested the Wenzel Ivanhoe 6 Tent https://wenzelco.com/ivanhoe-6/.

      Generally, my husband and I use a larger ez up tent, but I liked this tent specifically for the design which is reminiscent of the tent my parents used when I was a child and figured it would be a good option for shorter weekend trips, rather than our 9X15 ez-up.

      The set up was relatively easy, although one person might have some difficulty. It held up well during an evening thunderstorm, but for a small seam leak near the door. We believe this is a result of the fact that our site was slightly uneven and that particular corner was not as evenly pitched with the other corners of the tent which resulted in a bit of a gap in the roof.

      The airflow is great, with the small vent in the rear, two side windows and the full screen door. There are also two smaller vents at the top- though neither seem seem to add that much airflow,- perhaps a design flaw or more likely the uneven ground it was pitched on.

      I love the fact that there are awnings over the side windows, but in order for them to be effective one must stake out three guy lines on each side, plus the one on the front and the back. Knowing this I had purchased some small lights to hang on the lines to prevent tripping on them at night and it worked out perfectly.

      The front doors are secured closed from wind and rain by velcro strips, rather than the standard ties. There are four side pockets and a handy troubleshooting guide sewn into the interior wall for any issues you experience while in use, such as leaking, condensation, or a faulty zipper.

      I am very happy with this tent. For the two of us it was the perfect size for our ten inch high queen size air mattress and some minimal gear. The peak height was just over 6 foot, so we were both able to stand upright without issue.

    • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 15, 2023

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Convenient to Philadelphia

      General: Four loops with a total of 200 campsites. Two of the loops allow pets (A, C) and two do not. Loop D offers no hookups while Loops A-C offer a mix of no hookups, water/Electric, and full hookups. We had no problem securing a site on a weekday in October with no reservation. There are also two yurts and three cottages. 

      Site Quality: We chose a non-electric site in the B Loop, so this review focuses on this loop. There are abundant trees separating the sites. The pads were paved and B12 was very long. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Because the loops are on a slight slope, not all of the sites are completely level, something that would be difficult to determine if making reservations ahead of time. 

      Bathhouse: Pennsylvania state parks get high marks for their modern, clean restrooms and this park (at least the B Loop) was no exception. Hot showers were no additional charge and generous in size. 

      Activities: 35 miles of hiking trails. Be aware that the Hopewell Lake Loop is not very well marked (it appears to be a work in progress) although blazes on trees are abundant for most trails. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent during the summer season, and there is a boat dock for your own boat for fishing (either from a fishing pier or on your boat). There is a huge pool available from Memorial Day through Labor Day (there is an additional fee for this). Some of the trails allow horseback riding. Nearby Hopewell Furnace is accessible via hiking trails, or you can drive there. Other activities include orienteering and disc golf. Make sure you wear blaze orange during the fall hunting season as you will hear hunters! 

      In general, it is obvious Pennsylvania invests in its state park campgrounds and the price is reasonable ($27 for a non-electric site during the week with a $4.50 senior discount). My only complaint is that the dumpsters are a hike from the loops, but this is a minor complaint.

    • M
      Apr. 4, 2022

      Lums Pond State Park Campground

      Will be back again [when we can get a reservation]

      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.  

      I have to say, Jim, the host camper by us was fantastic.  As it was our first trip after a long winter, I managed to forget to put the anode back in our water heater.  I went over and sheepishly asked him if I could borrow a 1 1/2" socket.  He not only lent us a socket, but asked if I needed help, and if I had teflon tape (which I did) and was willing to lend a hand.

      The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back.  That was a bonus.

      Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine that they had on Mythbusters (https://archive.org/details/MythBusters..Season.3..480p576P..DVDripHDTV..X265HEVC..O69..FIXED/Mythbusters+-+S03E26+-+Seasickness+-+Kill+or+Cure.mkv).  I could only go on the swing with her for a little bit before I started to turn green.  Other than that?  She fought us about leaving the playground, and really would have been content if that was all we did.

      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.

      The trails were well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond.  It was a long, but easy hike.

      The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease.

      All in all, it was a fantastic trip, and I hope to go back soon.

    • Mary S.
      Oct. 6, 2018

      French Creek State Park Campground

      Beautiful, large wooded sites and lots of hiking trails

      This is a nicely laid out campground with 4 loops and many site choices - non-electric, electric and full hookup sites (water, sewer and electricity); a couple yurts; and 3 camping cottages. (There are cabins elsewhere in the park.) We just showed up on a Wednesday in early October but I'm sure you'd need a reservation on a weekend.

      Activities

      • See the photo that shows 35 miles of hiking trails. It's an excellent brochure! Some trails are hiking only; others allow mountain biking in addition to hiking, and there are equestrian trails.

      • Boating and fishing

      • Swimming pool by Hopewell Lake

      • Disc golf

      • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is on your way to the campground.

      The Sites

      • See photo of the campground map along with typical site photos.

      • 4 loops: no electricity in A and D, mix of electric and non-electric sites in B, and a mix of full hookups, electric and non-electric sites in C. Loop C is the only loop open all year with no guarantee of access in the winter.

      • Asphalt pads are all supposed to be 45 feet.

      • The sites looked level but many of the pads in Loop A were just a bit downhill as you back in. That means our heads are downhill for sleeping unless we turn our teardrop trailer, so we just looked until we found a level site. If you're into leveling a camper, it's not a big deal. We can adjust our back end, but we don't mess around with anything else. It is what it is!

      • There are water spigots around the loops and recycling/trash disposal and a dump station on your way in/out.

      • Site map shows some ADA accessible sites.

      New Restrooms Are Worth Noting

      • See photos.

      • Push button showers. You can't adjust the temperature and you have to keep pushing the button every 30 seconds or so. I guess this saves water.

      • Two utility sinks outside the restrooms are a good addition.

      Pet Owners: Pets are only allowed in loop C.

      A Couple Warnings

      • PA state parks do not allow alcoholic beverages at all. That's what they say.

      • Hunting is permitted in most of the state park. That would put a real damper on my hiking at certain times of the year because the hiking trails run right through these areas.

    • Jules T.
      Jun. 13, 2021

      Spruce Run Recreation Area

      Beautiful and relaxing water sites

      Stayed here 2 nights in May, Friday-Sunday. There were a decent amount of people on Friday, but significantly more on Saturday. 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. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall. The other stalls weren't as bad, but definitely not clean. Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning. Not including the bathroom situation, the only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down.

    Guide to Villanova

    Equestrian camping near Villanova, Pennsylvania offers diverse terrain for horse enthusiasts in the mid-Atlantic region. Located within the Piedmont Plateau, this area features elevations ranging from 200-500 feet with a mix of hardwood forests and open meadows. Summer temperatures typically hover between 75-85°F, while spring and fall maintain comfortable 60-70°F ranges ideal for trail riding.

    What to do

    Trail riding through diverse terrain: At French Creek State Park Campground, riders can access both gentle and challenging paths. "There are two lakes, 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 Jen R.

    Boating options for non-riding days: When taking a break from horseback activities, Lums Pond State Park Campground provides water recreation just 25 miles from Villanova. "Nice state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," shares Matt S. The park permits electric motors only on the pond, making it quiet for fishing or nature observation.

    Hiking and wildlife observation: Trails at Hibernia County Park connect to camping areas with varied difficulty levels. "Walking/hiking trails and the lake were super peaceful," reports Chelsea. Many paths follow stream beds and cross gentle hills, perfect for day hikes when not riding.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate well-spaced accommodations at Brendan Byrne State Forest. "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site," mentions Lindsay D. This provides separation for horses and camping gear without feeling cramped.

    Clean facilities: Many equestrian campers note the importance of well-maintained facilities. "The bathrooms were clean. Showers were a little spidery but kind of expected at a campground," says Megan S. about Brendan Byrne State Forest. This matters particularly for longer stays with horses.

    Peaceful environment: Noise levels remain low at most sites, creating a calm atmosphere for both horses and riders. "It was quiet and our neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and our space. It was a wonderfully peaceful weekend for us all," reports Ellen C. about her stay at French Creek State Park.

    What you should know

    Site limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate large horse trailers. "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs," advises Douglas P. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.

    Reservation requirements: Most equestrian-friendly sites book quickly during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" warns Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. This applies especially for sites large enough for trailers and corrals.

    Water access varies: Water availability differs between campgrounds. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. notes: "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank." Always check specific site amenities when booking.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Mountainview Campground offers child-friendly amenities alongside horse facilities. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards)," shares Mark about a nearby facility, highlighting the importance of having non-horse activities available.

    Swimming options: For hot weather relief, seek campgrounds with water recreation. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake," mentions Jen R. about French Creek State Park.

    Safety considerations: When camping with younger children near horses, choose sites with appropriate separation. "The campgrounds were just okay... It was very loud and rowdy into the late night," cautions Douglas P. about Spruce Run Recreation Area, suggesting midweek stays for quieter experiences with families.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Starlite Camping Resort provides full services for larger rigs. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy," explains Craig F.

    Site levelness: When bringing both horses and RVs, level sites become crucial. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," notes Mark about Lums Pond State Park, reducing setup time and stabilization concerns.

    Road conditions: Access roads can challenge large horse trailers. "If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills," warns Chris G. about Starlite Camping Resort. This applies especially to combined RV and horse trailer setups, where additional vehicle power may be necessary.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Villanova, PA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Villanova, PA is French Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 83 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Villanova, PA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Villanova, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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