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For RVers who love visiting big cities may find it challenging to find campgrounds in easily accessible locations.
Some RV parks sit too far off the interstate, while others require driving through narrow city streets. Owners of big rigs can find it especially difficult to find accommodating campsites near urban centers.
However, if you want to plan a trip up the East Coast, you’re in luck. Camping near Philadelphia isn’t as hard as in other areas of the country.
Let’s look at seven of the best campgrounds within an hour’s drive of the City of Brotherly Love.
Is Pennsylvania Good for Camping?
The Keystone State is a beautiful state for camping. The natural scenery is stunning, with rolling hills, Amish farmlands, and plenty of outdoor recreational activities.
You have the Allegheny National Forest in the northeast and numerous state game lands and forests throughout the state.
And Pennsylvania has rustic, natural beauty as well as the popular tourist attractions of Pittsburgh, Hershey, and Philadelphia, making camping near here a great option.
Is Camping Near Philadelphia Safe?
You can’t get too close to Philadelphia when camping. You won’t find many campgrounds or RV parks near the city.
Most camping locations will be at least 30 minutes outside the city. So camping near Philadelphia is just as safe as camping anywhere else in the country.
Additionally, you may find it quite crowded as Philadelphia is the most populous city in Pennsylvania and the sixth most populous city in the country. The City of Brotherly Love also welcomes around 40-45 million visitors annually.
When Is the Best Time for Camping Near Philadelphia?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Philadelphia to avoid the crowds and enjoy pleasant weather.
Summers can get hot and crowded when kids are out of school, and many people vacation in and around the city. Winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and bitter temperatures.
The Best Camping Near Philadelphia, PA
If you want to find the best camping near Philadelphia, Pa., plan on making reservations several miles outside the city.
Even the closest location to downtown — the Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA Holiday — lies over 20 minutes away. But these locations are still within an easy drive to the city.
But let’s look at the best camping options near Philly.
1. Philadelphia South / Clarksboro KOA Holiday
Address: 117 Timberlane Road, Clarksboro, NJ 08020
About 20-25 minutes from Center City, the Philadelphia South KOA is actually located in New Jersey. Additionally, guests can enjoy the close proximity to Philadelphia, Pa., and Wilmington, Del.
Amenities include a family-friendly activity park with cornhole, horseshoes, ladder ball, and a community fire pit. You can also enjoy a catch-and-release fishing pond, bicycle rentals, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, and full hook-up sites for even the largest rigs.
2. Philadelphia / West Chester KOA Holiday
Address: 1659 Embreeville Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
This KOA location lies about an hour west of Center City and about half an hour from Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Special amenities include a butterfly garden, a gaga ball pit, a jump pad, a gem mine, and canoe rentals. Guests can also enjoy mini golf, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, and a playground.
3. Brandywine Creek Campground
Address: 1091 Creek Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Brandywine Creek Campground is another great camping location about an hour west of Philadelphia. Situated on the banks of the trout-stocked East Brandywine Creek, the campground also features a large fishing pond.
Brandywine Creek Campground, open seasonally from April 1 to Nov. 1, borders Marsh Creek State Park for easy access to nature trails and boat rentals. The campground also has a swimming pool, playground, and laundry facilities for guests.
4. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, South Jersey
Address: 117 Coles Mill Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
About 35 minutes southeast of Philadelphia, Pa., is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Williamstown, N.J. The onsite swimming lake features a Wibit Obstacle Course and plenty of fishing opportunities.
Guests can also enjoy access to two swimming pools, gem mining, an arcade, and a jumping pillow.
It also has a beach along the lakeshore to spend the days in the sun and an outdoor sports court to get some exercise during your stay. This campground remains open from April to November.
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5. Lake Kandle Campground
Address: 250 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Lake Kandle provides camping near Philadelphia and lies about 30 minutes south of the city. This unique oasis is available only to swim team members or campground guests. You can get daily, weekly, and seasonal rates.
You can use gas motors on the lake, but guests can bring their own boats. Near the lake, campers have access to a snack bar and beach access. The swimming area has diving boards and lifeguards on duty.
You can also spend time at the playground, volleyball court, basketball court, two swimming pools, or picnic areas on the property. Sites include water and electricity and full hookups.
6. Lums Pond State Park
Address: 1068 Howell School Road, Bear, DE 19701
About 50-55 minutes southwest of Philadelphia is Lums Pond State Park in Delaware. Miles of hiking and biking trails surround the state’s largest freshwater pond. Visitors can also enjoy family fun at the Go Ape Treetop Course.
Guests also have access to a disc golf course, outdoor sports courts, and an off-leash dog park. Many also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, birding, and fishing at Lums Pond State Park. The campground offers full-hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites.
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7. Hibernia Park
Address: 1 Park Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
A great final option for camping near Philadelphia sits about an hour west of the city at Hibernia Park in Chester County. Although the campground is only open for weekends from April to November, it’s a prime location for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Over 900 acres of trails, open fields, play areas, pavilions, and picnic areas welcome visitors every season. It even has a children’s pond. Additionally, the Hibernia Mansion is open for tours on Sundays and showcases the lives of 19th Century ironmasters.
Visit the City of Brotherly Love This Camping Season
Whether you want to tour the Amish country, visit Hershey Park, or catch a baseball game at PNC Park, you can find activities galore in Pennsylvania.
And don’t forget about all of the history from Valley Forge and Independence National Historical Park or Gettysburg National Military Park to the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy. But even if you’re not a history buff, National Geographic designated the City of Brotherly Love as an American city “making a splash with global cuisine, amazing art, and a revolutionary spirit.”
You can enjoy nature trails, a bustling arts and cultural scene, museums, murals, and one of the best farmer’s markets in the country. Then escape the chaos of city life among the 10,000 acres and 270 miles of recreation trails.
So the next time you’re planning a trip to the Keystone State, check out these locations for camping near Philadelphia. Where will you make your reservation?
