French Creek State Park is one of the most accessible camping destinations near Wernersville, Pennsylvania, situated within a 15-mile radius. This 7,526-acre park spans both Chester and Berks Counties, with elevations ranging from 300 to 500 feet. Most campgrounds in the area are nestled among rolling hills and hardwood forests, creating natural buffers between campsites and providing shade during summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At French Creek State Park Campground, both Hopewell and Scotts Run Lakes offer various fishing options. "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."
Hiking access: The campgrounds provide direct trail access for day hikes. At Blue Rocks Family Campground, "It's right at the base of one of the most popular hiking trail, The Pinnacle. It's nestled in the woods and is very rustic. Really gives you that camping feel!" This trail offers elevation gains of 800-1,000 feet with ridge views spanning 20+ miles on clear days.
Glacier field exploration: Unique geological features provide unusual terrain to explore. "Blue Rocks family campground is close to I78 however it is still off the beaten path. It is very peaceful to camp here as you have different types of environments. You can be down near the creek and in the open more, in the wooded areas, or you can be near the corn field and glacier rock field."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, many campgrounds offer swimming options. "There is a pool, playground, arcade, fishing pond, glacier rock field to explore and hiking trials. Not to mention a great place for bike riding as well."
What campers like
Private sites: Campers consistently mention site privacy as a major plus. "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained amenities receive regular praise at Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Eagles Peak. "Great place for the family. 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."
Level sites: Terrain preparation makes setup easier. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean."
Year-round options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, French Creek offers winter camping. "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. I'm a women in my thirties traveling alone and I felt very safe here."
What you should know
Reservation timing: For the best camping near Wernersville, Pennsylvania, book well in advance, especially for weekend stays. At Sun Valley Campground, "The customer service is great. The sites are nice. 90% of the people here are full time."
Site selection factors: Choose sites based on terrain elevation to avoid water issues. "The sites are smaller and you definitely want to be on the top of the hill or right below the country store. The people from Sites 100 - 116 we mad, it rained and the water ran down hill. These people had a mess at there sites."
Space considerations: Some campgrounds have tighter quarters than others. "Very large park. Showed up on Wednesday, and was assigned a spot in loop 700 up on a hill in the center of a ring of trailers, past a lot of full-timers. Cable does not work. No internet. 2 bars LTE on T-Mobile."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects sound levels at certain locations. "This state park is close to Philly but has some wonderful tent sites. There are also cabins and yurts but they aren't dog friendly. Lots of nice trails."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Starlite Camping Resort provides scheduled activities to keep children engaged. "Starlite offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units."
Splash zones: Water play areas offer relief during hot summer days. "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, you end up spending more money just to rent a gold cart."
Playground accessibility: Multiple play areas throughout campgrounds provide recreation options. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers. Nice area to wash dishes. Very nice playground area and clean."
Budget considerations: Plan for additional costs beyond site fees. "The cost is very reasonable and it is a lifetime guarantee so all the more reason to spend for the quality."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Dutch Cousin Campground offers sites requiring minimal leveling. "Very clean, quiet, nice level sites. Beautiful rentals are available. Affordable!"
Site navigation: Some campgrounds have tight access roads requiring careful maneuvering. "We had two sites this trip with water and electric, but they do have quite a few full hook-up sites. Overall the sites were large, with trees between, providing additional privacy."
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical service quality varies by location. "Water pressure and electric were both great throughout the stay. There is no internet, but we had good cell phone service."
Hookup positioning: Pay attention to the layout of utility connections. "The buddy site was very narrow and since our buddy arrived first we had no choice but to park farther down on the site to avoid our awnings touching and that left us very uneven. It was a hill and no matter how many times we adjusted, we just could not get leveled."
