2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland offers equestrian-oriented camping facilities near West Grove, Pennsylvania. The natural resources management area maintains campgrounds with access to extensive horse trails and riding areas. Campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, water access, sanitary dump stations, and picnic tables available at each site. The campground features clean family-friendly environments with specific rules for group camping areas. Fair Hill particularly appeals to horse enthusiasts with its trail system designed specifically for equestrian use. The primitive youth group camping areas follow specific guidelines that must be adhered to when reserving space.
Located approximately 15 miles from West Grove, Fair Hill connects riders to a comprehensive network of trails through scenic wooded terrain. The trails provide varied riding experiences throughout the property, with routes suitable for different skill levels. Water access points for horses are positioned along several trail sections. The natural resources management area remains open year-round, though certain trail sections may close during adverse weather conditions. Hibernia County Park, another option in the region, offers primitive camping with pit toilets and no hookups. Each site includes a fire ring with built-in grill and picnic table. The campsites work on a first-come, first-served basis, making advance planning essential for weekend equestrian campers during peak season.
"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 this weekend
from $27 - $45 / night
"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 this 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
"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
"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
Campgrounds near West Grove, Pennsylvania include options for tent camping, RV sites, and equestrian facilities throughout the area. West Grove sits within Chester County, which features a mix of rolling farmland and forested terrain at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet. The region experiences moderate seasonal changes with humid summers averaging 85°F and winters dropping to the 20s, making late spring through early fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Boating and fishing opportunities: At Lums Pond State Park Campground in nearby Delaware, campers can enjoy water activities on the large 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," notes Ellen B. The park features both fishing piers and boat rentals.
Hiking trail networks: The region offers extensive trail systems for all skill levels. "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," shares Mark about Lums Pond. Most parks maintain well-marked trails ranging from under a mile to 7+ mile loops.
Equestrian adventures: For those seeking horse campgrounds near West Grove, Pennsylvania, Blackbird State Forest Campground provides opportunities for riders. "Horseriding is encouraged," notes reviewer D R. The forest maintains designated bridle paths through wooded terrain, though riders must bring their own horses as rentals aren't available.
Spacious, private sites: The campgrounds around West Grove generally offer good separation between campsites. At French Creek State Park Campground, Jen R. appreciates that "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other." This layout provides a sense of seclusion even at more developed campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on campers' priorities. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," reports Mark about Lums Pond State Park. Most maintained campgrounds in the area feature regular facility cleaning.
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings create appealing camping environments. At Hibernia County Park, Jennifer S. notes, "We LOVE this campground. It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. Most sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities." The forested settings provide natural shade and wildlife viewing.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially during peak season. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. Reservations can typically be made 6-12 months in advance through online systems or phone.
Limited hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. Jennifer S. warns about Hibernia County Park: "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."
Terrain considerations: The topography around West Grove includes hills that can affect camping experience. At Starlite Camping Resort, Chris G. notes, "There is also a great view of the surrounding countryside because it's up on a big hill. If you're hauling a big camper you'll need power for the hills."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "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," notes Mark about Lums Pond. Most family-oriented campgrounds maintain playground equipment suitable for various age groups.
Water activities for kids: Lakes and ponds provide recreation opportunities. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," mentions Anna about Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, which offers designated fishing areas specifically for young anglers under 12.
Campsite selection for families: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities. "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers...keep your shoes handy, its a hike," advises al K. at Lums Pond. Families with young children should consider sites closer to restrooms and water sources.
Site leveling and setup: Most developed campgrounds provide relatively level sites. Craig F. reports about Starlite Camping Resort: "Yes, it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."
Utility connections: Pay attention to hookup locations when setting up. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This had to park the camper crooked to use both," cautions Amanda H. about Lums Pond. RVers should bring extra-length hoses and cords to accommodate various site configurations.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sanitary dump stations. Jennifer S. notes about Hibernia County Park: "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home." RVers should plan accordingly for waste management during their stay at equestrian campgrounds near West Grove, Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Grove, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near West Grove, PA is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near West Grove, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near West Grove, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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