French Creek State Park offers pet-friendly camping within its 7,900-acre expanse near Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. Located in the Hopewell Big Woods, the park sits at elevations between 500-850 feet with rolling terrain throughout the camping areas. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer months average 75-85°F with occasional humidity spikes in July and August.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Both Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake provide diverse fishing experiences. At French Creek State Park Campground, you'll find "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."
Winter camping: Unlike many seasonal parks, several campgrounds remain open year-round. "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," reports one visitor about French Creek State Park.
Visit historic sites: Several campgrounds provide easy access to historic attractions. "This is a great spot for visiting Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County and about a one-hour drive to Hersheypark," notes a camper at Lancaster-New Holland KOA.
Observe Amish culture: Many campgrounds are situated near Amish communities. "Within walking distance are Amish shops, and guided tours into the Amish countryside. Restaurants are nearby," explains a reviewer at Beacon Hill Camping.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer natural separation. At Hibernia County Park, "sites vary significantly in size and privacy levels, with some locations offering better seclusion than others," while at French Creek, "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."
Pet exercise areas: Dog-friendly options extend beyond just allowing pets. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," notes a French Creek visitor, while at Beacon Hill Camping, "Our dogs loved the dog run. AT&T service is good."
Affordable primitive options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups," reports a Hibernia County Park visitor. The park offers "more primitive camping experiences with no hookups. Fire rings, picnic tables, and portable toilets serve these rustic sites."
Scenic views: Several campgrounds offer memorable landscapes. "We had a really great RV experience at the Lancaster KOA. We have a 35 ft class A with a tow and selected an executive 1st row which gave us unobstructed views of the Amish farmland and lots of room."
What You Should Know
Bathhouse conditions vary: Facilities maintenance differs between parks. At Hidden Acres Camping Grounds, "Showers and bathrooms were great!" while other reviewers note "the bath houses in this loop was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside. The showers had good pressure and hot water. It was cleaned often throughout the weekend, however it is definitely in need of an update."
Reservation requirements: Some parks require advance planning while others don't. French Creek State Park is "a great place to stay for a family or the outdoor enthusiast as there is so much to do," but Hibernia operates with "first come, first served self-registration" except during special events.
Site limitations: Not all sites accommodate larger setups. "If you have a large family sized tent...many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent," warns a French Creek reviewer. Another adds, "Some of the sites are very rocky."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts vary by season. "We have been having a crazy amount of rain here in Pennsylvania so due to weather related issues we haven't been able to get out there until now," notes a summer visitor, while winter campers report "If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby."
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Several parks offer dedicated children's areas. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, "There is a little something for everyone here and it is very reasonably priced... Amenities include camp store with slushies, ice cream and firewood, full size basketball and volleyball courts, game room, pool, laundromat, pavilions, freshwater catch and release pond."
Playground options: Multiple play areas accommodate different ages. "There is a huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake," reports a French Creek visitor.
Special events: Seasonal programming enhances family experiences. "The theme for the weekend was Christmas in July. They had Santa Claus visit and read the kids a story. They had their picture taken with a new Polaroid camera so it popped out a little photo," shares a Hidden Acres camper.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer learning experiences for children. "There is also a frisbee golf course in the woods to make it even more interesting and competitive. The trees definitely make it harder," notes a French Creek visitor, while nearby "Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and Daniel Boone Homestead" provide additional educational opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary significantly in accessibility. At Sun Valley Campground, "We stayed in loop 700 - very nice, new and well-maintained area with mature trees and lovely fall colors," while another camper advises, "Our particular site was a bear to park in but once situated we were very happy."
Seasonal sites vs. visitor spots: Many campgrounds balance permanent and temporary setups. "90% of the people here are full time," notes a Sun Valley camper, while another adds, "It appears locals keep their rigs here and use the area as vacation homes... outer ring of area had unoccupied trailers, but they were well kept and cute."
Hookup variations: Services differ between loops and sites. "There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites," explains a French Creek camper, while Lancaster KOA offers "Full hook-ups with 50-amp service."
Leveling requirements: Site topography affects setup ease. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze," notes one French Creek camper, while another cautions, "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
