French Creek State Park is situated in Chester and Berks Counties, about 15 miles southeast of Reading, Pennsylvania. The park spans 7,526 acres with elevation changes ranging from 300 to 800 feet, creating varied camping environments within a short distance of Leesport. Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with off-season accommodations available at select locations that provide heated cabins and yurts for winter camping.
What to Do
Boulder field exploration: Blue Rocks Family Campground sits adjacent to a natural boulder field with unique geological formations. "Our campsite had a great view of the glacier rock field and the corn field," notes one visitor to Blue Rocks Family Campground.
Hiking to viewpoints: Many local trails connect to the Appalachian Trail system, with various difficulty levels. At French Creek State Park, "There are trails for mountain biking or hiking, a frisbee golf course, playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events and Sunday morning church services," explains a reviewer at French Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing in limestone streams: The region features limestone-rich waterways ideal for trout fishing. "My kids went fishing and every cast they caught a fish, some were small... but hey the kids had fun," mentions a camper at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort.
What Campers Like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently mention the privacy between sites at several area campgrounds. "Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy. Except for the Plateau sites, which have the amazing view, the rest of the campground had a great tree cover!" notes a visitor to Starlite Camping Resort.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Year-round camping options: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, some parks offer winter camping. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great!" mentions a visitor at French Creek State Park Campground, highlighting the availability of yurt camping near Leesport, Pennsylvania during colder months.
What You Should Know
Site terrain varies significantly: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects site selection. "We had sites 35, 37, 39, & 40. Thankfully, a short walk to the bathroom facilities for us tent campers... many of the sites surrounding ours were very rocky and left little option for a larger than normal sized tent," explains a visitor to Star Lite Camping Resort.
Shower facilities differ by campground: Some campgrounds charge for showers while others include them. "The bath houses were a little different, you have to pay $.25 to take a shower. We weren't expecting that!" notes a camper at Hickory Run Family Camping Resort.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. "We went for a small hike around the lake - we were toting three kids, one of which was in a stroller. I was able to fit 5 diapers, a large bottle of suntan lotion, a pack of wipes, snack container, travel changing pad... When we were packing up a severe thunderstorm rolled through," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool and splash park options: Several campgrounds offer water features for children. "The splash park is a lot of fun for both the kids and adults. The RV sites are spacious. Only downfall is the big hill to go back and forth to the activities," explains a visitor to Eagles Peak Campground.
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature farm animals for children to interact with. "Goats to pet and watch. There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others. Nice playground for the kids and a small arcade," mentions a visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Campground activities: Organized events keep children engaged during longer stays. "There is a pool, playground at the campground and at the lake, and an amphitheater at the campground where they hold events and Sunday morning church services," notes a visitor to French Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many regional campgrounds have sloped sites. "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else. The fire ring was about all the room allowed," explains a visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground.
Navigating narrow roads: Several campgrounds have tight access roads for larger vehicles. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," notes an RVer at Lake-In-Wood Campground, which offers yurt accommodations near Leesport for those seeking glamping options.
Distance to hookups: Water access points vary by campground. "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," mentions a visitor at French Creek State Park.
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