French Creek State Park offers various camping opportunities near Elverson, Pennsylvania, with over 200 individual sites spread across four distinct camping loops. The park's terrain features 7,900 acres of wooded landscape at elevations ranging from 500 to 700 feet above sea level. Temperatures typically range from 25°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with higher humidity levels during the warmer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Two lakes at French Creek State Park Campground provide different fishing experiences. "There are two lakes in French Creek, Hopewell and Scott's Run and each contain many species of fish. We spent Saturday afternoon fishing but not catching anything at Scott's Run," notes Ellen C. The lakes contain "warm water fish including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish."
Visit nearby attractions: Take a day trip to explore Amish country from Lancaster-New Holland KOA. "This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark," shares Matt S. The campground provides "gorgeous Amish views" where you can observe "Amish farms and fields everywhere."
Recreational activities: Enjoy varied outdoor activities at multiple campgrounds. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course," reports Jen R. about the recreational options at French Creek State Park.
What campers like
Private camping sites: Campers appreciate secluded sites at Lake-In-Wood Campground. "We had one of the red carpet sites in the woods. It was spacious and mainly private," shares Donna M. Another camper notes, "Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers."
Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new," says one visitor to French Creek. At Country Acres Campground, a camper raves, "The new bathhouse has better restrooms than my own home! Everything is clean and well managed."
Peaceful environment: Quiet camping experiences make for relaxing stays. "Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," observes Cheryl K. about her French Creek visit. Another camper at Lancaster-New Holland KOA describes it as "Peaceful, serene, and a little slice of heaven with super clean bathrooms and friendly host."
What you should know
Terrain variations: Sites can differ significantly in terms of level ground and rocky terrain. At Hibernia County Park, "The sites aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," notes Jennifer S. At French Creek, some campers find "it was kind of hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!"
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season," explains a Hibernia County Park visitor. Others note specific opening dates: "April 15 to October 31" for Lancaster-New Holland KOA.
Varying hookup options: Campgrounds offer different levels of amenities. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," warns a Hibernia County Park visitor. Meanwhile, Country Acres offers "Pull-Thru site with all hookups in good working order."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Spring Gulch Resort Campground features "a huge pool, mini golf, arcade, camp store," according to Jen R., making it ideal for family activities. Another camper highlights that it's "very well kept camp ground. The Prime Sites are very spacious."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities. At Lake-In-Wood, families enjoy "indoor-outdoor pool and kiddie pool," while French Creek State Park has "a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake."
Kid-friendly activities: Organized events keep children entertained. "They did have a mini golf course too," mentions one camper. Another notes, "We experienced the hayride around the campground." These scheduled activities provide entertainment beyond regular outdoor recreation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your site carefully at Red Run Campground for the best experience. "Sites are generally open and not very private, but the general vibe of the campground is slow pace and relaxing so you don't really mind the lack of privacy," notes Dave R. At Spring Gulch, "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at many campgrounds. "We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us, so we didn't have to walk far to get fresh water," reports a French Creek camper. At Country Acres, sites come with "full hookups, decent wi-fi, cable TV, a picnic table, fire ring, and nicely kept grassy area between sites."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have navigation challenges. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns a Lake-In-Wood visitor. Another camper at Spring Gulch mentions "only two dump stations for a pretty large park," which could create bottlenecks during busy checkout times.
