French Creek State Park encompasses 7,526 acres in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 15 miles from Malvern. The park spans four townships across Chester and Berks Counties, with an elevation ranging from 400 to 600 feet. Camping conditions vary across several loops with differing levels of shade, site spacing, and pet-friendly options. Many visitors appreciate the park's balance of accessibility and natural immersion while still being close to urban amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, visitors can fish in two lakes that contain various warm water species. "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 one reviewer who enjoyed the fishing experience.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail options exist for all skill levels. "We loved our stay at this park, and plan to return. There is lots of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds, the bathrooms were well maintained," shares a camper who explored the trails with their family. Most trails are well-marked with moderate difficulty.
Disc golf: Boulder Woods Campground offers an extensive disc golf course that attracts enthusiasts. "The camp ground has a very large golf disc course and they seem to have tournaments. They sell disc golf things in the store as well. This course is huge and brings in groups who play for the day," explains a reviewer who appreciated this unique activity option.
Boating and paddling: Non-motorized and electric-motor boats are permitted on most lakes. "We also took our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely! There is also a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing, where we picnicked and hung out for an afternoon," shares a visitor who enjoyed water activities.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Most campgrounds feature well-designed sites with adequate spacing. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," reports one French Creek visitor who appreciated the thoughtful layout. Many sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and level pads.
Clean facilities: Restrooms and shower facilities receive consistently positive feedback. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease." This attention to cleanliness enhances the camping experience.
Natural surroundings: The wooded environment creates a peaceful atmosphere. "Sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp," explains a reviewer at Hibernia County Park.
Rural views: Lancaster area campgrounds offer unique agricultural scenery. "Best kept secret in the area. Peaceful, beautiful valley views of Amish country," notes a visitor to Lancaster-New Holland KOA, highlighting the distinctive landscape surrounding Malvern area campgrounds.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months and weekends. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a Lums Pond visitor. Many sites can be reserved 6-12 months in advance through online booking systems.
Site selection considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room," cautions a French Creek reviewer who needed to carefully consider site dimensions.
Seasonal availability: Most glamping close to Malvern, Pennsylvania operates seasonally. At Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, "This does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change." Always verify operating dates before planning trips.
Water access variations: Water hookups aren't universal across all campgrounds. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank. There is one spigot at the 'bathroom'," explains a Hibernia County Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature kid-friendly play areas. "Nice playground for the kids and a jump pillow. Nice camp store," mentions a camper at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA who visited with children. Some playgrounds are centrally located within campground loops for easy supervision.
Swimming options: Pools and designated swimming areas provide summer recreation. "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake," notes a French Creek visitor who enjoyed water activities with their family.
Budget-friendly sites: County parks often offer economical camping options. "Super great price at $15/night as well. The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," shares a Hibernia County Park visitor who appreciated the value and kid-friendly activities.
Special events: Check campground calendars for family-oriented activities. "We were able to attend an Orienteering event here which was nation wide and really exciting. People came from all over the country to attend which was really a great experience," notes a reviewer who enjoyed the organized events with their family.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Be prepared for different utility configurations. At Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park, "There is also no electrical connection to recharge electronics," cautions an RV visitor who had to plan accordingly. Many campgrounds offer only partial hookups.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road," warns a Philadelphia-West Chester KOA reviewer.
Leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many campgrounds. "The sites aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix," explains an RV camper at Hibernia County Park who managed to adapt to the site conditions.
Seasonal site policies: Some campgrounds restrict older RVs for seasonal rentals. "They only allow seasonal campers to be 10 years old or newer. Ours is 13. Very disappointed. But for a weekend away, it's a great place," shares a Boulder Woods visitor who encountered unexpected limitations.
