French Creek State Park offers tent sites with paved level areas on spacious campgrounds that aren't crowded together. With options for both primitive camping and sites with electric hookups, the 7,526-acre park sits 15 miles southeast of Reading. Visitors can explore two lakes, hiking trails, and a disc golf course during their stay. The park's elevation and wooded setting creates moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night, even during summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, anglers can catch several warm-water fish species including "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." Winter visitors can enjoy ice fishing as "ice thickness is monitored" for safety.
Boulder field exploration: The unique terrain at Blue Rocks Family Campground features a glacier rock field perfect for exploring. "Our campsite had a great view of the glacier rock field and the corn field," notes one camper who enjoyed this distinctive landscape feature.
Canoe the Brandywine: Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides direct river access where "the river is usually very calm and good for a float." A visitor mentioned the campground has "canoeing schedule" options available, and another shared that "there are two different playground in the same area to accommodate kids of all ages."
What campers like
Yurt comfort: Yurt camping near Douglassville, Pennsylvania offers a comfortable glamping experience. Lake-In-Wood Campground features yurts among their "really neat and different rentals" that provide comfort with woodland surroundings. One visitor noted the campground has a "huge pond for fishing, miniature golf, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate well-separated sites at French Creek State Park where "there is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well." As one reviewer noted, "As long as you don't stay right across from the bath houses you will find ample shade at your site. There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
Amish country views: At Lancaster-New Holland KOA, visitors enjoy "unobstructed views of the Amish farmland" from their sites. One camper called it the "best kept secret in the area" with "peaceful, beautiful valley views of Amish country."
What you should know
Off-season camping available: Some area campgrounds remain open during colder months. A December visitor to French Creek noted "showers and bathrooms were great" and mentioned "the honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early."
Limited privacy at some parks: Green Lane Park offers beautiful surroundings but campers should know that sites lack privacy barriers. "The sites are lined up next to each other along the campground driveway and there are absolutely no trees or shrubs between them," reports one visitor who checked out the park.
Expect seasonal rates: Prices vary widely by campground and season. A visitor to Philadelphia-West Chester KOA noted the premium riverfront sites were "a bit pricey" at "$91 bucks a night," while others like Hibernia County Park cost just "$15/night" according to a recent review.