French Creek State Park Campground

Been here many times over the years. Most recently stayed New Years Eve weekend. Had a homeless couple living in a pop up camper next to use but kept to themselves. Park Rangers drove through constantly at least 10 times a day slowly looking into our site. Sites are extremely close together in some areas. The layout sometimes had it where the sites next to your had their fire ring behind your camper while other sites you could be 50 yards from the next site. In winter only a couple loops open and water is turned off. Most sites around the back of the loops are very rocky terrain and get very muddy when it rains.

This is a very nice campground that has been improved....little rough with getting our camper level in the site we selected.  New bathrooms which were clean, but we went in November , so showering in there would have been rough, so we used our camper shower.  Lots of neat things nearby such as an apple orchard.  Hiking and biking this park is fun.   It's a great place to camp and enjoy downtime!

Stayed one night in C-loop in the Fall and it was excellent!!  Weather was great, the lack of people was perfect, and the facilities were more than comfortable.  Sites ranging from level with asphalt and sidewalks to the fire pit to near-natural for that full tent camping experience.  Plenty of full hook-ups interspersed with electric only and no services.  Something for everyone.  

The state park has numerous hiking and biking opportunities and probably some fishing as well.  The lake and pool facilities were closed but the scenery was still in full effect.

My family and I stayed at French Creek State Park while attending an event in Reading. The park was clean and well maintained. We stayed in Loop A which had no camp host. The camp hosts were in loops B & C.  We had a full hook up site. The water and electric worked great! The campground was well patrolled by Rangers throughout our stay. The bathhouses appeared to be clean and maintained. The quiet time starts at 9pm and seemed to be followed by most campers. There are numerous hiking trails in the park that seemed to be well marked and maintained. The park is about 20- mins from Reading, and 10 mins from Birdsbroro. There are many stores and restaurants in the area for food and supplies if needed. We had good cellular service with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The one downside was that there was no off leash dog park. We had to take our dog to a dog park in Birdsbroro. We would stay at this park again.

This was a nice campground, but the spaces seemed pretty close together. However, I did like how clean the bathrooms (including showers) were and that it was only an hour's drive from the center of 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.

Ive been here a a couple different times and stayed in different sites each time and always had a great time!

We decided to use French Creek to introduce our toddler to camping. All in all it was a good experience though the campsites were pressed very close together. There were two very bold raccoons who kept raiding our neighbor's campsite since they kept their food out but that was to be expected.

I will say the experience with one of the rangers was a bit uncomfortable. He was pretty aggressive with how he approached people. There was an older couple who parked their truck on the grass while trying to maneuver something with their RV and while yes, they're not supposed to park on the grass, the way he went from a crawl to speeding up on them, aggressively jumping out and squaring off his shoulders like this old couple was about to throw down with him was weird and excessive. Later he also put his car in reverse and sped backwards to "catch" someone breaking another rule. And again, they were in the wrong sure but there were kids biking on the road and people walking back up the hill so him doing that seemingly out of nowhere threw everyone off.

I honestly would not be surprised if he was the one people said they saw going through people's belongings. But the other rangers that I actually interacted with were very friendly and very helpful.

Beyond that, the bathroom was wet but not disgusting and had showers. We didn't hear any loud parties after 10pm. There was a water pump next to our site and the bathrooms were a quick walk. We're definitely going to continue using this place as a quick and easy camping spot.

Seemed like a party-type place, which isn't for me. But perfectly fine for a weeknight stay.

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

State park no booze but a nice park

PROS 

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

This State Park has 4 camping areas, plus group camp areas, primitive cabins & “modern” cabins. It is very spread out! Campsites range from FHU to dry camping. The FHU sites tend to be the nicest (level, grassy, larger). Some of the dry campsites are very rough, others have large areas to set up multiple tents. I can’t recommend the dry sites for RV’s, as they tend to be short & not very level.

I usually Tent Camp so the Cottage was nice. Had a stack of wood waiting for me and light and heat on. The campground is very nice but I’m here in the off Season and so heard it gets crazy. So much to do. We will be back!!! Bathrooms were not the best. But maybe bc it was off Season?

Our family and 2 others go every year to camp here. Absolutly gorgeous and great for all our kids. My husband and I go a few times every year as well and it’s always a joy.

Nice PA state park.  We like coming here for weekend get always open all year.   Great for hiking and exploring,  maybe even a little fishing in the reservoir/lake.    Site are typically paved and spread out.

Great time. Sites are nice and mostly level. Most people honor quite time so it was very peaceful. A ton of trails

As a single mom of two daughters, camping can be a bit scary at times. Our first time, first night here the couple at the next site has left their Dog wonder to use the bathroom outside our tent. The first time it happen my kids were terrified because it was pitch black and an animal just started to sniff our tent. They have also allowed they're children to play at my site and walk between my tent and car. Also until 3 am a group had a party and could be heard screaming through the entire campground. Multiple people could be heard asking them to keep it down through the night as they were clearly drunk. Rude people aside, The sites are extremely small, very rocky and not conducive to tent camping. The fire pit is extremely close to the only place I had flat ground for my tent. It seems like the people who used this site before us covered the table in dirt so that was really annoying too.

We decided to still try out this park even knowing it was going to be hot and that the pool was closed (received email months after booking informing us of the close). Big mistake! Lots of bugs, small wet/muddy playground, and lots of hills which made it difficult for the kids to ride bikes safely. A lot of the park was under construction and hands down the dirtiest bathrooms I’ve ever been in. Poop in men’s shower stall, mold growing up the walls etc. Sites were overgrown when we got there, then a crew tried to mow our site after we had everything set up on a Friday morning…

The Furnace area was cool and educational. Overall, will not revisit.

There was a lot to do in French Creek. We rented a boat, did some hiking, & attended events in the amphitheater. They are also really pet friendly, our dog was even allowed on the boat with us. The only thing I would change is our choice of lot. It was a last-minute reservation so we took which ever lot was available to us. they did have other spacious slots but they were all taken at that point. Although the restrooms were a bit dirty, they were cleaner than other campsites I have been to.

Great hiking park. The campground is pretty far from the pool and it’s all hills so you cannot ride your bike, you’ll have to go in the car. Bathrooms were dirty the entire weekend. Sites in C loop seem to be the nicest. The pool looked very big and nice but we could not swim because it was closed for the season due to maintenance. 

First 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.

We stayed there for 5 Days. It's a quit Campground. I don't think that we would stay here  for a whole week, since there is really nothing going on. Unless you like to hike a lot, then this would ideal. You will have a hard time to find a parking spot for your truck, since most sites are short. Don't Park on the grass, the Park Ranger will come to visit you.

We had 6 Verizon devices with us and they barely worked. Even with 1 to 3 signal bars. So forget streaming movies when it rains......

We arrived from the south and the roads can be a challenge with larger rigs. The roads are very narrow and there are a lot of turns. Oh did I mention Hills.....

It's not a bad state park for a couple of nights and you need to get away for a while

We absolutely love FCSP! The sites are great, the lakes are beautiful, bathrooms are clean and only an hour from home! It’s tough to nail down your favorite spot sometimes but worth it.

Great campground, lots of space between the sites. Very clean restrooms.

Awesome disc golf course , kayak , fishing and more

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.

Spent a great extended weekend on in the park. Did some fishing and received good tips from the locals.

The park ranger staff was great and informed us that there was a junior ranger program for kids. We had done a jr. program in national parks and was a great way for us to lean about the area and it’s wildlife as a family.

My kids were excited to earn badges and certificates when they finished. The pet friendly loop was great for our dog and had full hookup sites in that loop for those that need it.

If you have time there are plenty of places for hiking in the park or just outside. We enjoyed a nice leisurely hike at Crows Nest Preserve that went through beautiful PA farmland.

Quiet, friendly campground. Lots to do and see. Family friendly, some loops dog friendly and very people friendly. Sites don't have too much privacy, but still love it.

Stopped over for a night on a drive, good cell service and lots of foliage between sites keeps them pretty private. Plenty of space, picnic table, fire ring, basic bathroom facilities.