French Creek State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations across several loops with varying amenities. Located in Chester County approximately 8 miles from Birdsboro, the park sits within the Hopewell Big Woods, Pennsylvania's largest remaining contiguous forest. With elevations ranging from 450 to 850 feet, the park's terrain creates diverse camping environments from lakeside settings to secluded woodland sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities at multiple lakes: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake contain warm water fish species for year-round angling opportunities. "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. It's a beautiful location and it was still a fun way to spend the day with the kids away from the site," notes a camper at Hibernia County Park.
Hiking trail networks: The 35+ mile trail system accommodates different experience levels and connects directly to some camping loops. "We went for a small hike around the lake - we were toting three kids, one of which was in a stroller," reports a visitor at Blue Rocks Family Campground, which offers "access to a lot of amenities, all the while keeping a 'primative' feel."
Boulder field exploration: Unique glacial rock formations provide challenging terrain for climbing and exploration. "Our children loved to climb all over the rocks, that is where they spent most of the time. Primitive but fun!" shares a family who stayed at Blue Rocks Family Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds feature wooded sites with natural barriers between neighbors. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," mentions one camper about French Creek State Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathhouses and amenities are consistently mentioned as highlights. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, a visitor noted, "the bathhouse had individual bathrooms and showers. Each was pretty clean and spacious."
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds frequently schedule events throughout the camping season. "They had a craft show in the barn which was nice," reports a Spring Gulch Resort visitor. Another camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground shared, "We went for the weekend and loved it. Already looking to book another trip. Very clean campground."
What you should know
Pet policies vary significantly: Dog friendly campgrounds near Birdsboro often restrict pets to specific areas or loops. "Loop C is the only loop that allows pets," explains a camper who stayed at Sun Valley Campground. "All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop."
Seasonal operating schedules: Many campgrounds close during winter months or operate on limited schedules. "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season," notes a visitor to Hibernia County Park, which typically operates from May through October.
Neighboring attractions: The area features historical sites and natural attractions within short driving distances. "Surrounding area features pet-friendly attractions including Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and St. Peter's Village, both offering additional outdoor exploration opportunities," according to French Creek information.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line. All kids and adults agreed it was the most fun!" shares a visitor to French Creek State Park.
Water activities beyond swimming: Area lakes provide alternative recreation during hot weather. A visitor at Lancaster-New Holland KOA reported, "The campground is very clean, nice spots with gravel and nice views. The store was stocked well with essentials, and the women running the store was very helpful and friendly."
Campsite selection for families: When booking sites, consider proximity to bathhouses and playgrounds. "We stayed in Loop C, which is the only dog friendly loop in the campground, on sites 35, 37, 39, & 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers," noted a family camping at French Creek.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Birdsboro region have uneven terrain. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else," explains an RVer who stayed at Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Accessibility considerations: Road conditions and site configurations vary significantly between campgrounds. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns a visitor about Lake-In-Wood.
Hookup availability: While many campgrounds offer electric sites, full hookups may be limited. A camper at Sun Valley notes, "The sites are nice. 90% of the people here are full time." For weekend visitors, consider water tank capacity needs before arrival.
