French Creek State Park
Pennsylvania State Park
Write a Review 843 Park Rd. Elverson, PA 19520 650-562-5650 Official WebsiteGPS: 40.2151, -75.7817
Overview of French Creek State Park
Last Price Paid: $48
Reported by Nomad Reign RV on 7/13/2023
Longest RV Reported: 45 feet (Class A)
Reported by MAHarvey on 8/29/2020
Number of Sites 200
Reservations yes
Elevation 853 ft / 259 m
Max Length 40 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about French Creek State Park
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 650.562.5650
camper-715338 asked on 7/12/2022
Was wondering if there’s a quick stop on the way to buy local firewood. Also any tips or suggestions about French Cre...
Reviews of French Creek State Park 23 people have reviewed this location.
“About a mile or two away was the Hopewell Furnace National Historic site and the main reason we were here.”
Reviewed 7/13/2023
Nightly rate: | $48 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | c-17 |
RV Length: | 19' (Travel Trailer) |
Gorgeous bucolic and mountainous landscapes on our 136-mile drive from Boonsboro, Maryland to our next campground in Elverson, Pennsylvania. But first we stopped at Gettysburg to do the auto tour of the Civil War battlegrounds. We saw most of this outdoor war museum but because of the remainder of our drive to French Creek State Park s... more
Gorgeous bucolic and mountainous landscapes on our 136-mile drive from Boonsboro, Maryland to our next campground in Elverson, Pennsylvania. But first we stopped at Gettysburg to do the auto tour of the Civil War battlegrounds. We saw most of this outdoor war museum but because of the remainder of our drive to French Creek State Park still to go we did not spend as much time at the battlegrounds as needed. It was also disappointing that there was no way for us to get our truck and trailer into the Dwight D. Eisenhower farm next door. The ranger gave me bad intel as to how to drive in from another direction and park at the guard house. After all my additional trouble to get there the road and guardhouse was closed. Another day perhaps. Be advised that it's not a brilliant move to explore Gettysburg while towing a travel trailer. Better to park the RV and ride the transit bus around or hike. But we had Bob the Dog so that was not an option for us.
We must have come in the back way to French Creek State Park. Rolling in on those winding, twisting, and narrow roads eventually got us there but I remarked to my wife that I was glad we weren’t pulling anything larger than our 19’ Oliver. The park entry guard shack was closed so we proceeded to our campsite which was vacant and ready for us. The blacktop landing was very narrow to park our rig on and left very little room for our two lawn chairs under the awning. Bad design. Not to mention the big dropoff off the pavement too. Dangerous for old people, and a cripple like me especially.
The campground was heavily wooded with plenty of non-biting but irritating black flys. We were also not aware the swimming pool is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays which was another disappointment. Nothing nearby or easy for us to get groceries or gas, but we were okay for the time being. About a mile or two away was the Hopewell Furnace National Historic site and the main reason we were here anyway. We did however, and rather quickly, decide to cut our three-night stay to just two and took the extra-night financial hit as it was too late to change our reservation. And because the Swiss-like town of Jim Thorpe looked so interesting we added another night to our next campground further north at Hickory Run State Park.
Our site C-17 was dog-friendly, but not so hot. AT&T service was an intermittent 2-bars of 5-G. The site did have electricity and the water spigot was across the street. Our neighbors behind us on the street side were too close for comfort but the woods at the curb and across the road were suitable enough for the privacy we require for our satisfaction. The picnic table was also too far away, and due to all the recent rain, down a muddy clay slope. The shower rooms were old, and also too far away from our site, but clean and serviceable. There are plenty of hiking trails in the park, but we did not have enough time to hike any. Probably the best amenity in the park for us was the dump station on the way out which has a wide double lane with a total of four holes and just as many potable water hoses to refill our tank. Due to us leaving a day early our average cost was $48 per night, which was a bit steep but still worth it when figuring in our free visit to the amazing Hopewell Furnace just two and half miles away.
Mark Bird built the Hopewell Furnace in eastern Pennsylvania back in 1771, just before the American Revolution erupted in 1775. The furnace was critical in supplying cannon and shot for the new Continental Army and Navy. Twenty miles away in Valley Forge, George Washington and his colonial army protected these iron furnaces along the Schuylkill River. I cannot express enough the enjoyment we had walking around this beautiful and important acreage surrounding this historic site. The preservation of this wonderful property should not be understated. Again, there was almost nobody in the middle of the week visiting this wonderful park. For three hours we roamed the buildings at will, read about all its history, enjoyed the sheep, and felt an affinity for the people who once worked and lived here. This is a park that is high on our list of favorite places we have visited. We also stopped by the Bethesda Church and Cemetery just down the road about another mile or so.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Average campground with little privacy for individual sites”
Reviewed 5/20/2023
Nightly rate: | $29 |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | C37 |
RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #C37, an E only, BI site for $29/night with a senior discount. NOTE: GPS didn’t quite get me to the campground. The coordinates right by the entrance kiosk are: 40.21282N, 75.78185W. Roads and sites were asphalt and were okay to navigate. The site needed 2 boards... more
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #C37, an E only, BI site for $29/night with a senior discount. NOTE: GPS didn’t quite get me to the campground. The coordinates right by the entrance kiosk are: 40.21282N, 75.78185W. Roads and sites were asphalt and were okay to navigate. The site needed 2 boards under the driver’s side to get level. The site pavement was just wide enough for my wheel base. While there was no water directly at this site, a spigot was close enough for me to run a 50’ hose to and fill my tank. The very spacious picnic area and fire pit was behind the rig. There was a social trail off the back that would connect with one of the main hiking trails around the park. It’s a bit of a walk and not well defined so pay attention if you go out that way. The site is close to the bathhouse which was shabby and only moderately clean. I didn’t use the showers. There is lots of shade in the C loop except for the FHU sites which are primarily in the open. One of the ADA sites was next to mine and was rarely occupied. Between that and the bushes on the opposite side it felt like this site had a little more privacy than many. It was a quiet campground with no road noise noticed. Connectivity: 1-2 bars with Verizon, only good for calls, texts, and late night internet. Lots of OTA channels were available. Rangers did numerous drive throughs. The dump station had 4 slots, but the non-potable water was disabled so I couldn’t rinse my tank. As I walked around it was hard to find sites that were really level so be prepared with extra blocks. Hopewell Furnace Historic Site is very close by and it was about 1.5 hours to downtown Philly. I wasn’t overly impressed with the park but it did have lots of things to do. Average…
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Worst Site Ever”
Reviewed 9/24/2022
Nightly rate: | $25 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | A35 |
RV Length: | 18' (Travel Trailer) |
The Park's description of this site is totally wrong. It is NOT suitable for a trailer, which I have, or even a van. It is so unlevel that I wondered if it was safe. It is very narrow and the picnic table was so far away that it was unusable. They state that the tent site is on grass but it's on dirt and rocks. A number of the dry sit... more
The Park's description of this site is totally wrong. It is NOT suitable for a trailer, which I have, or even a van. It is so unlevel that I wondered if it was safe. It is very narrow and the picnic table was so far away that it was unusable. They state that the tent site is on grass but it's on dirt and rocks. A number of the dry sites in A loop are not suitable for anything other than a tent. Even then they are not very nice. The full-hookup sites were in good condition. The bathroom is clean and modern but is situated near the people who are in self-contained RVs and a good walk for the people in dry sites who need it. I was happy to leave.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Newly Updated Sites”
Reviewed 9/19/2022
Nightly rate: | $38 |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 10 |
We stayed in loop A, site 10 for 5 nights. It is pet -friendly and has full hookups. The showers/bathrooms are new and very nice. After talking to locals, I found out this loop was all redone a couple years ago. The pads have nice asphalt, and the sites are good -sized with some trees for privacy between them. Our only cons were t... more
We stayed in loop A, site 10 for 5 nights. It is pet -friendly and has full hookups. The showers/bathrooms are new and very nice. After talking to locals, I found out this loop was all redone a couple years ago. The pads have nice asphalt, and the sites are good -sized with some trees for privacy between them. Our only cons were that our pad was not level and it appears quite a few are not. However with blocks we were able to get leveled. There is only a weak cell signal and no WiFi. With our cell booster we are able to get some signal.
merrob would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not safe.”
Reviewed 7/17/2022
Nightly rate: | $45 |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | B28 |
RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Man three sites down stole my electric cord and surge protector when I left for a few hours during my stay. Camp host and park rangers (three 20 year olds) allowed the man to stay. No rangers at the entrance at any time during my five days, anyone can come in at any time. Lucky to get one bar cell service, cannot dial out if an emergen... more
Man three sites down stole my electric cord and surge protector when I left for a few hours during my stay. Camp host and park rangers (three 20 year olds) allowed the man to stay. No rangers at the entrance at any time during my five days, anyone can come in at any time. Lucky to get one bar cell service, cannot dial out if an emergency. I did not feel safe at this campground. Holes in the ceiling above the women’s showers are suspect. Bathroom was not clean. My site was on a slant.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Campsites Jammed Together in a Relatively Large State Park”
Reviewed 6/25/2022
Nightly rate: | $47 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | C3 |
RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
PROS Reserved 328 days prior to arriving $13.50 senior discount Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful Site C3 parking pad level asphalt Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable One hook lantern pole Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival Some vegetation bet... more
PROS
Reserved 328 days prior to arriving
$13.50 senior discount
Immediately greeted by Loop C camp host who was extremely friendly and helpful
Site C3 parking pad level asphalt
Metal frame wooden picnic table that was moveable
One hook lantern pole
Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon our arrival
Some vegetation between sites provided a bit of privacy from neighbors sites
Park is 21 miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Catch National Park Service 90 minute trolley tour at the Visitor Center.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord...authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking…largest buffet in the USA…16 miles from French Creek SP
CONS
$6.50 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation
Horrible signage along PA-345. Never saw very small sign when we where intensely searching
Pitiful low water pressure in Loop C
Site sewer connection is high; needs to be knocked down to ground level
Such a large overall park, but camping loop sites are jammed together
Short length of site caused creative tow vehicle parking
Loop C women’s toilet/shower building a big nasty mess Saturday
Trash dumpsters are on the main road near the campground check-in station (not walkable)
Noisy campground; 9pm quiet hour not enforced
Lots of barking dogs
No wood sales in park
No WiFi
1 bar Verizon
Napunani would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Worst camping experience we’ve experienced”
Reviewed 4/23/2022
Nightly rate: | $45 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | C003 |
I arrived about 15 minutes before my husband did with our truck and 37’ 5th wheel trailer. I parked across the street from our site to await his arrival to help him try to back into our site. The site was unoccupied and not reserved. Our site was listed as a 50’ site. Less than 5 min. after my arrival, the camp hosts told me I could ... more
I arrived about 15 minutes before my husband did with our truck and 37’ 5th wheel trailer. I parked across the street from our site to await his arrival to help him try to back into our site. The site was unoccupied and not reserved. Our site was listed as a 50’ site. Less than 5 min. after my arrival, the camp hosts told me I could not park there. I explained that I was awaiting my husband and would park on our site after he parked our camper. My husband arrived shortly thereafter and he had huge issues getting our trailer to fit on this site because it was shorter than it was advertised to be. We had to park with our rear dual wheels past the concrete block, 15’ past the end of the asphalt. As it was, our truck had to be parked crossways to be on the asphalt as directed by the less than friendly camp hosts, and our campfire pit was 5’ from our trailer. They told me I could park my car in the overflow lot that is approximately 1/4 mi. down a hill. These camp hosts had a 37’ long Solitude. I asked them how they fit their camper on their asphalt pad and they snipped that they were parked in a handicapped site which was double the width and longer. Since they were so insistent on my car being moved, I moved it next to our site on sticks and leaves, no grass. The park police came along and said I had to park my car in the overflow lot or pay $5/night to park on our site but that wasn’t possible as our trailer and truck could not even fit on the asphalt I noted to him that the site right next to ours had a car parked on the grass and he hadn’t stopped at their campsite. We ended up parking my car in the overflow lot, so anytime we wanted to use our car, my husband had to walk down the hill and retrieve it and come back up and pick me up. He was scolded several times by the rude cap hosts for the short period of time he had to wait for me. One night he was walking down the hill again to the overflow lot, with our dog, to get the car and our dog pooped. My husband forgot a poop bag but saw 2 park police with their truck and the camp host with his golf cart, and he went and asked if anyone had a waste bag so he could clean up after our dog. The park police were very polite and helpful and got him a bag while the camp host stood there scolding my husband “that’ll teach you to walk your dog without a poop bag again.” We found the camp hosts to be very rude, our site was not 50’ as noted on the reservation site, and in general this was an awful stay. We will not be returning. Our advice to other campers with big rigs…go elsewhere.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Our Easy Getaway Spot”
Reviewed 12/12/2021
Nightly rate: | $45 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | multiple |
RV Length: | 37' (Fifth Wheel) |
We love this park because it is only an hour from home. We always stay in the C loop with our dog. Great mountain bike trails, if you like the tech trails. We always get a FHU site and have found them to be more spacious but you have to book early!! We have had some tough experiences in a few sites that were not level and very short.
DelawareDead would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful state park near lots of historic sites”
Reviewed 11/5/2021
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | C35 |
RV Length: | 33' (Travel Trailer) |
We really enjoyed our stay at French Creek State Park. It is adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and near the National Road (Cumberland Road). It was very convenient to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the sites were will spaced, providing privacy, our site C35, was difficult to back in and tree prevent the use of o... more
We really enjoyed our stay at French Creek State Park. It is adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and near the National Road (Cumberland Road). It was very convenient to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
While the sites were will spaced, providing privacy, our site C35, was difficult to back in and tree prevent the use of our awning. Each loop had a group of sites near the start of the loop offering full hookups with grassy areas between the sites. Farther down the loops are electric only sites nestled in the trees. We prefer the more wooded campsites even though it means fewer hookups. A convienant water fill station and dump station is located at the entrance to the campground.
Virgil Turner would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lovely area, nice camping but don't let the stink bugs in.”
Reviewed 10/7/2021
Nightly rate: | $48 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | Loop C site 002 |
RV Length: | 39' (Fifth Wheel) |
This is a sweet state park. Our site was not very private, but we have a big RV and the smaller sites on our loop had more privacy. The site was flat and we had full hookups. We took a long walk along several of the trails. The paths were wide enough for us to walk side by side which we like. We worried a little when we saw signs ... more
This is a sweet state park. Our site was not very private, but we have a big RV and the smaller sites on our loop had more privacy. The site was flat and we had full hookups. We took a long walk along several of the trails. The paths were wide enough for us to walk side by side which we like. We worried a little when we saw signs on the trails saying that the area allowed hunters and we should wear bright orange. But we didn't hear any shots anywhere. There is a map showing which areas allow hunters, but the hiking trails go through those areas as well as areas they are not allowed. There appeared to be an infenstation of stink bugs in the area. Everytime we opened the door, it was covered with the bugs and we had to be careful not to let any inside but they are easy to catch and toss outside. They didn't bother us at all when we were outside, they seem to like our RV more than they like us. :) It is about a 50 min drive from Lancaster with gorgeous farmland all around.
The empty nesters would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
noted 10/19/2021
Be aware of all the stink bugs here-- at least in early October when we visited for a few days. We thought we managed to avoid getting any in the RV, but they managed somehow and two weeks later we are still finding 3-10 a day hidden in our clothes, bed, cabinets etc.
Got Furnace?
The campground is within a stone’s throw of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Around State College, we visited a couple of these Furnaces with Jean Philippe and Carolee. We already plann...
Intercourse
‘In the middle of Intercourse is a good place to take a buggy ride’, so our guide tells us. We managed to keep a straight face – barely. We are near Lancaster, PA, where there is a large concen...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- sewer
- Full Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- cabins
- dump station
- group sites
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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