French Creek State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with paved level areas within a 7,526-acre park about 15 miles southeast of Reading. The park contains two lakes and over 35 miles of hiking trails through deciduous forest. Winter camping is available at certain loops, and the park elevation ranges from 500-800 feet, creating varied terrain for outdoor activities. Campground loops feature varying levels of privacy, with Loop C being the only pet-friendly section.
What to do
Explore multiple lakes and waterways: At French Creek State Park Campground, visitors can fish at Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake for northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, and other warm water species. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish, kayak, canoe or just relax by," notes Jen R. The park also features water activities during summer months, with one camper mentioning, "We did take our inflatable kayak out on the water, and it was lovely!"
Visit historic sites: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site sits adjacent to the park and offers educational opportunities about early American ironmaking. At Hibernia County Park, campers can tour a historic mansion on weekends. "There is an old mansion that gives tours on weekends," shares Jim N., highlighting the area's connection to regional history.
Challenge yourself with outdoor adventures: Many parks in the region feature varied terrain with elevation changes. At Ridley Creek State Park, one reviewer described "hiking up and down the mini mountains" while another mentioned "well marked trails great for hiking." Some campgrounds offer specialized recreation like French Creek's disc golf course in the woods, which adds difficulty: "The trees definitely make it harder!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate well-spaced sites with natural barriers. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "the sites are large and well spaced" according to Adam and Suzanne B. French Creek State Park gets praise for its layout: "The campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well," writes one reviewer.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean bathrooms rank highly among camper priorities. Ellen C. noted at French Creek that "the bath/shower house was adequate and includes two dish washing stations outside." At Lums Pond, campers find "great bath houses, always super clean," according to al K., though he noted the placement might require a walk for tent campers.
Natural surroundings and wildlife viewing: The region's parks offer excellent opportunities to observe wildlife. At Fort Washington State Park Campground, the bird watching opportunities are exceptional: "Should you call yourself a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis." At Elk Neck State Park, one visitor mentioned, "We saw bald eagles and great blue heron."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds in the region operate seasonally or with limited services during off-peak times. At Hibernia County Park, "This campground is only open on the weekends, in season" according to Jennifer S. At French Creek State Park, Jen R. mentioned, "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."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond State Park. For special events, some parks have specific reservation requirements, such as Hibernia County Park's Old Fiddlers Picnic weekend when "you must reserve both Friday & Saturday nights."
Primitive vs. full-service options: The area offers a range of camping experiences from primitive to full-hookup sites. Jennifer S. warns about Hibernia County Park: "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." She also notes, "There is NO DUMP STATION" - important information for RV travelers.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid-friendly amenities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers family-focused features according to Nicole S.: "There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more." Some campgrounds have organized activities: "They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget."
Consider campground size and atmosphere: Different campgrounds offer varying experiences for families. For those seeking a quieter setting, Jennifer S. describes Hibernia as ideal: "It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded." For families who prefer more social camping, busier campgrounds might be preferable.
Assess accessibility to bathrooms: For families with young children, bathroom proximity matters. At Lums Pond State Park, one camper noted an interesting design choice: "Some engineering genious put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers….keep your shoes handy, its a hike." Plan site selection accordingly when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Check site specifications carefully: Elk Neck State Park Campground offers full-hookup sites, but requires attention to detail: "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites." This advice from David G. highlights the importance of verifying site suitability.
Consider hookup locations: At some campgrounds, the arrangement of utilities can present challenges. Jennifer S. noted at Hibernia County Park that water and electric "were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both." Bringing extension cords or longer hoses might be necessary at certain campgrounds.
Look for dog friendly campgrounds near Gradyville: RVers traveling with pets should note which loops or areas permit dogs. French Creek State Park's Loop C is designated for pet owners, with Jen R. observing, "This is the only loop that allows pets. I expected it to be much noisier than it was. All of the dogs were well behaved, and we didn't have any problems as we took our walks around the loop."
