French Creek State Park offers diverse camping experiences in a 7,526-acre wilderness area with established campgrounds, rustic sites, and cabin accommodations. Located about 15 miles southeast of Reading, the park spans portions of Chester and Berks Counties. Camping areas feature multiple loops with varying levels of privacy, shaded sites, and amenities. The park remains open year-round with seasonal facilities and activities that change with the weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails for all skill levels: At French Creek State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple marked trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. "There is a lot of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," notes Katie M. in her review of the park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing areas are available across the region's lakes and ponds. At Blue Rocks Family Campground, "There is a pool, playground, arcade, fishing pond, glacier rock field to explore and hiking trials. Not to mention a great place for bike riding as well," according to Jen R.
Seasonal swimming options: Pools operate during summer months at several campgrounds. Ellen C. mentions, "The pool was closed, but it looked nice," regarding her October visit to French Creek, confirming the seasonal operation typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At French Creek State Park, campsites offer good separation from neighbors. Dan X. notes in his review, "lots of foliage between sites keeps them pretty private. Plenty of space, picnic table, fire ring, basic bathroom facilities."
Unique accommodation options: Lake-In-Wood Campground provides distinctive places to stay beyond traditional camping. "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others," mentions Jen R., highlighting alternatives to tent or RV camping.
Natural features: Unusual geological formations add interest to the camping experience. At Blue Rocks Family Campground, Gayle B. observes, "The best part was hiking in the boulder field!" while another camper notes "our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and availability of facilities differs between campgrounds and loops. At Hibernia County Park, "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop," explains Jennifer S.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds have specific booking policies. Jennifer S. also notes about Hibernia that it "is only open on the weekends, in season. Sites can be reserved on line, by phone, or by 'first come, first served' self-registration."
Terrain considerations: Some campsites have challenging terrain that affects setup. Chelsea mentions, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lancaster-New Holland KOA provides play areas for children. Michele K. observes, "No pool but the kids seem to enjoy the playground," giving parents an option for children's entertainment.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Dedicated fishing areas for younger anglers exist in the region. Anna reports about Hibernia County Park, "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," making it ideal for introducing kids to fishing.
Spacious group sites: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. At French Creek, Jen R. notes, "We had sites #32 & #34 in Loop B and the kids had a lot of room to run and play between the two sites," providing insight on booking adjacent sites for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Many campgrounds have limited space for bigger RVs. At Hickory Run Family Camping Resort, Tamara P. advises, "Sites are best in the 140-160 loop," indicating where larger vehicles fit more comfortably.
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain can create setup difficulties. Jennifer S. explains about Hibernia County Park, "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," highlighting the need for leveling blocks at certain campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by loop and site. Cheryl K. noted at French Creek State Park, "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," providing context about which areas lack services that RVers often require.
