Searching for blue skies, sunshine, and a break from your routine? Philadelphia’s urban spaces and public gardens offer a quick remedy, or you can venture slightly beyond the city to reconnect with nature. Presented in order of ascending distance from Philadelphia, here are the best campgrounds within 150 miles of Center City.
1. Evansburg State Park; Collegeville, Pa.
This verdant oasis in Montgomery County provides organized group tenting by reservation only. With 26 miles of trails, hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians find plenty of challenges, while anglers can fish along the picturesque Skippack Creek.
- Camping season: April–mid-Oct.
- Park size: 7,730 acres
- Site type: 18 tent-only sites
- Restrooms: Flush toilets, no showers
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~30 miles
2. Hibernia County Park; Wagontown, Pa.
Steps away from the 94-acre Chambers Lake, the campgrounds at Hibernia County Park provide easy fishing and boating access (self-propelled vessels only). The 0.67-mile Lake Trail offers hikers opportunities to spot egrets, eagles, and osprey.
- Camping season: May–Oct. (weekends only)
- Park size: 900 acres
- Site types: Tents, RVs, and trailers allowed
- Restrooms: Latrines, no showers
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~50 miles
3. Wharton State Forest; Hammonton, NJ
Wharton State Forest, sprawling across Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden counties in New Jersey, offers a range of accommodations from primitive campsites to furnished cabins. Outdoor pursuits like canoeing, hiking, birdwatching, and horseback riding are enhanced by tours of the historic Harrisville and Batsto villages.
- Camping season: Year-round
- Park size: 125,000 acres
- Site types: 192 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Restrooms: Select sites with modern showerhouses and flush toilets
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~40 miles
4. French Creek State Park; Elverson, Pa.
French Creek State Park features Scotts Run and Hopewell lakes, perfect for water activities. The park includes 35 miles of hiking trails and 20 miles dedicated to mountain biking, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Camping season: Year-round
- Park size: 7,730 acres
- Site types: 200 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Restrooms: Modern showerhouses with flush toilets (ADA accessible)
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~55 miles
5. Locust Lake State Park; Barnesville, Pa.
Located along the banks of the 52-acre Locust Lake, this mountainside park offers distinct campgrounds for tents and trailers. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating in the serene waters.
- Camping season: March–Oct.
- Park size: 1,772 acres
- Site types: 280 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Restrooms: Modern showerhouses with flush toilets (ADA accessible)
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~100 miles
6. Hickory Run State Park; White Haven, Pa.
The boulder field at Hickory Run State Park is a National Historic Landmark. This unique formation, a result of climate change from thousands of years ago, is accessible via a network of trails that showcase the area’s natural beauty.
- Camping season: April–Dec.
- Park size: 15,990 acres
- Site types: 380 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Restrooms: Modern showerhouses with flush toilets (ADA accessible)
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~110 miles
7. Tobyhanna State Park; Tobyhanna, Pa.
Tobyhanna Lake’s sandy beaches attract sunbathers and swimmers, offering ample space for various water sports, including boating and fishing. The park also features over fifteen miles of trails appealing to mountain bikers and hikers.
- Camping season: April–mid-Oct.
- Site types: 140 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Park size: 5,440 acres
- Restrooms: Modern showerhouses with flush toilets
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~130 miles
8. Promised Land State Park; Greentown, Pa.
Amidst the picturesque scenery of the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware State Forest envelops Promised Land State Park. The park offers two bodies of water, Promise Land Lake and Lower Lake, ideal for swimming, fishing, and sunbathing.
- Camping season: Select sites open year-round
- Site types: 231 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Park size: 3,000 acres
- Restrooms: Select sites with modern showerhouses and flush toilets
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~135 miles
9. Ricketts Glen State Park; Benton, Pa.
The renowned 7.2-mile Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen is challenging, leading hikers through rugged and steep terrain to witness over 20 breathtaking waterfalls, with some reaching heights of 94 feet.
- Camping season: April–Dec.
- Site types: 120 total sites allowing tents, RVs, and trailers
- Park size: 13,050 acres
- Restrooms: Modern showerhouses with flush toilets (ADA accessible)
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Distance from Philadelphia: ~150 miles
