French Creek State Park offers camping options near Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania within a 7,526-acre natural area spanning Chester and Berks Counties. The park features multiple camping loops with varying levels of privacy and amenity access. Winter temperatures in the region typically range from 20-40°F, while summer brings 70-90°F days with moderate humidity, making seasonal preparation essential for campers.
What to Do
Disc golf adventures: Boulder Woods Campground maintains a notable disc golf course through wooded terrain. "Great disc golf course with helpful staff. The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did," reports one visitor at Boulder Woods Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Catch various warm-water species at the park lakes. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish. Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored," notes a camper from French Creek State Park.
Local exploration: Visit nearby historical sites for day trips from your camping base. "If you can't find enough to keep you busy at the campground or park there are a few attractions nearby... Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead," mentions a reviewer who stayed at French Creek.
What Campers Like
Private camping spaces: Many campers appreciate secluded sites available at certain campgrounds. "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," explains a visitor to French Creek State Park Campground.
Boulder fields and natural formations: Unique geological features attract outdoor enthusiasts. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. primitive but fun!" shares a camper at Blue Rocks Family Campground, which features distinctive rock formations.
Year-round availability: Some campgrounds remain open through winter months. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," notes a winter visitor to French Creek State Park.
What You Should Know
Site conditions vary significantly: Not all sites are equally level or spacious. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," explains one French Creek camper, while another noted: "It was a little bit hard to find a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!"
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness and maintenance vary between parks. "The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new however it is a little on the dirty side. I don't know if they have anyone who goes around to clean the bath houses but it certainly was in need of cleaning," reports a French Creek visitor.
Tent site challenges: Some campgrounds aren't ideal for tent campers. "Staff was pleasant. Tent sites were not marked at all. No real clear boundaries of any of the tent sites. Took a while to figure out where our site was supposed to be," mentions a camper at Boulder Woods.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with children. "We camped right by the large/nice playground that my kids enjoyed. It's not far from town, but far enough to drown out the noise of the city," shares a visitor at Homestead Campground.
Water activities: Multiple options exist for family water fun. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake," recommends a camper describing yurt camping near Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania at French Creek State Park.
Consider yurt camping: For families wanting a blend of outdoor experience with more comfort, yurt accommodations provide an excellent option. "There are also two Yurts and one cabin available for rental as well," mentions a French Creek visitor, highlighting the availability of alternative shelters in the Gilbertsville region.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees. Our site was a drive-through but slanted," warns an RVer at Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "It cost us $65 for the weekend plus a $6 service fee for using the Reserve America website. We had electric however no water or sewer hookup. There was a spigot for water at the next site over from us," reports a French Creek camper.
Leveling considerations: Be prepared to adjust your setup. "Since the material is pretty thin whatever you pack in there you will feel sticking you if you don't pack correctly," advises a visitor about managing uneven terrain at campsites in the Gilbertsville area.
