State Park Location Maps:
(click here to zoom and navigate local map)
(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)
View TOPO Maps!
Get directions to this park:
State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open
State Park Event Calendar:
volunteer positions open
Nearby Parks:
Hopewell Village National Historic Site
Marsh Creek State Park
Nolde Forest State Park
|
| State Park Overview: |
 | Set amidst the old, quaint and picturesque farmland of southeast Pennsylvania, French Creek offers two lakes--Hopewell and Scotts Run, extensive forests and almost 40 miles of hiking trails. Adjacent to the park lies Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site that features a cold-blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance.
The heavily forested, scenic hills of French Creek State Park provide habitat for plants and animals in the ever-expanding urban environment of southeastern Pennsylvania. Large oak, poplar, hickory, maple, and beech trees cover much of the park, with a sparse understory of mountain laurel, rhododendron and other brushy plants. Wetlands and pristine streams flowing through rich, damp creek valleys offer additional habitats for plants and animals. This large, diverse environment supports many animals that take advantage of the high quality of the resources found at French Creek. If you are observant while at the park you will see deer, squirrels, raccoons, songbirds, and numerous other small animals and birds. The park sustains good populations of resident birds and animals, but also serves as an important stop for migratory species using the woodlands, streams, lakes, and wetlands for food and cover. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
|
|
great family environment
beautiful land, the pool is the only thing that ruins the park mainly because of the horse playing a little rough with kids around. everything else is great.
(name not given)
14-Aug-2008
| |
|
|
| Camping: |
| Camping is available year-round at 201 wooded, modern sites that are with in easy access to shower and flush toilet facilities. Over 50 sites have electric hookups and more may be added in the future.
Organized Group Tenting:
Qualified organized groups can camp in the primitive group tenting area. One site holds 60 people and 16 sites each hold 30 people. A portion of this area is open year-round. Reservations are required. |
| |
| |
| Area Activities |
| Family Outting | | |
|
| Picnicking: |
| Tables are located throughout the park with two specific areas noted on the map. Picnicking near Hopewell Lake offers easy access to surrounding activities. Scotts Run is a peaceful place for a family picnic. |
| Boating: |
| Boating: electric motors permitted
Boat launching is provided at each lake, as noted on the map. Seasonal boat mooring spaces are available from April 1 to November 15 at each lake. Contact the park office for mooring information.
Boat rentals are available daily at the Hopewell Lake pool complex from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends during May and September.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Inflatable watercraft devices used on Pennsylvania State Park waters must meet the following requirements: the craft must be made of a tough material, have more than one buoyancy chamber, and be a minimum of seven feet long.
Air propeller driven boats, sea planes, air mattresses and surf boards are not permitted. |
| Boating Accessories: |
|
|
| Swimming: |
| Swimming is offered at the swimming pool by Hopewell Lake from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. A fee is charged. The pool is located near the shore of the lake and provides a beautiful setting for swimmers and sunbathers. Certified lifeguards are on duty when the pool is open. During the swimming season a food concession is open at the pool complex. Firewood, charcoal, and other picnic supplies are also sold.
A picnic pavilion inside the pool complex is available for rent. Reservations must be made at the pool entrance.
All children nine years of age or less must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible person. One such person shall supervise no more than five children. Swimming is not permitted in either lake. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
Scotts Run Lake: This 22-acre cold water lake offers excellent trout and other cold water species fishing. Hatchery raised trout are stocked pre-season, during the season and in the winter.
Hopewell Lake: 68 acres of prime water presents a challenge for anglers. A wide variety of Pennsylvania warm water species are found at Hopewell Lake, including: northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and many species of panfish. This lake is designated as a big bass lake and specific regulations apply.
Special Note: All Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply to all boating and fishing on state park waters. A fishing license is required for people age 16 and over.
Hunting:
The combination of habitats at French Creek offers a variety of hunting opportunities. Over 6,000 acres of the park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, pheasant and squirrel. Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.
Approximately three miles southeast of the park is State Game Lands No. 43, administered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. These game lands consist of more than 1,800 acres of land and add considerably to the public land available to the hunters of the area. A public firing range is located at the end of Laurel Road. Hunting is prohibited on property belonging to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. |
| Fishing and Hunting Accessories: |
|
|
| |
| |
| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | The Churchtown Inn - 1735 historic mansion in heart of PA Dutch country. Queen beds, antiques, Amish quilts, private baths, TVs. Garden Room multi-course breakfast. Evening sherry, carriage rides, visit Amish homes. | | | | Adamstown Inns - Victorian B&Bs featuring rooms with Jacuzzis ,fireplaces and private balconies. Inn is located in the heart of the Antique district and minutes from outlets, Amish and golf. Highly recommended | | The Artist's Inn and Gallery - Spend the night in an art gallery! Romantic B&B in Lancaster County with gas fireplaces in all rooms, two with Jacuzzi's. Gourmet breakfasts. Near antique center, outlets, Amish attractions. | | Dilworth Rocking Horse B&B - Pampered, relaxed, catered to? Do these words interest you? Than you must experience a stay at the Dilworth?s Rocking Horse Bed and Breakfast in beautiful Lancaster county,Pa. Jacuzzi, fireplaces | | Carriage Corner Bed and Breakfast - Carriage Corner is a unique blend of hospitality,laughter and kindness; it's located on the edge of the Village of Intercourse, a quaint country village that doesn't exist anyplace else anymore | | After Eight B&B - Renovated 185 year old colonial brick home. Elegantly decorated with antiques. All guest rooms include modern amenities and each one has a private fully tiled bathroom with hairdryer.
| | Limestone Inn B&B - Historic property circa 1786; close to the Pa. Dutch countryside, Brandywine Valley and historic Lancaster county. Private baths, many confortable sitting rooms and one fireplace room. |
| |
| | Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com
...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
|
| Related Links: |
| Downey Diving - French Creek State Park - French Creek State Park. Weather. How to Get There. Local Contacts. What To See. Rates. Contact Us. Set amidst the old, quaint and picturesque farmland of southeast Pennsylvania, French Creek... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The park naturalist leads walks and hikes and gives evening talks and demonstrations, during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Check the park activity schedule, bulletin boards, and at the park office for program times and locations. Organized groups such as scouts and schools may schedule activities by calling the park office. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Sill's Campgrounds
1906 Bowmansville Rd
Mohnton, PA
(717) 484-4806
| Dutch Cousin Campsite Inc
446 Hill Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-6911
| Hickory Run Family Campground
285 Greenville Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-5564
| Red Run Campground
877 Martin Church Rd
New Holland, PA
(717) 445-4526
| Warwick Woods Campgrounds
401 Trythall Rd
Elverson, PA
(610) 286-9655
| Shady Grove Camp Ground
65 Poplar Dr
Denver, PA
(717) 484-4225
| Lazy-K Campground Inc
102 Township Line Rd
Bechtelsville, PA
(610) 367-8576
| Camp Conquest: Office
480 Forest Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-2541
| Shady Acres Campground
301 Creek Rd
Downingtown, PA
(610) 269-1800
| Hickory Park Campground
2140 Big Rd
Gilbertsville, PA
(610) 754-6884
| J C's Bagelry & Bake Shop
84 W Lancaster Ave
Downingtown, PA
(610) 269-1800
| Beechwood Campground & RV Svc
105 Beechwood Dr
Coatesville, PA
(610) 384-1457
| Brandywine Creek Campground
300 Creek Rd
Downingtown, PA
(610) 942-9950
| Philadelphia W Chester Koa
1659 Embreeville Road
Coatesville, PA
(610) 486-0447
| Brandywine Meadows Camp
429 Icedale Rd
Honey Brook, PA
(610) 273-9753
| Two Log Campground
960 Beaver Dam Rd
Honey Brook, PA
(610) 273-3068
| Birchview Farm Campgrounds
100 Birch View LN
Coatesville, PA
(610) 384-0500
| Hidden Acres Camp Grounds
103 Hidden Acres Rd
Coatesville, PA
(610) 857-3990
| K O a Campgrounds
RR 162
Coatesville, PA
(610) 486-6837
| Country Haven Campground Inc
354 Springville Rd
New Holland, PA
(717) 354-7926
| Berry Patch Campground
6225 Ross Rd
Honey Brook, PA
(610) 273-3720
| Rampolla Nicholas Campgrnd
560 Cocalico Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-2014
| Refreshing Mountain Camp
455 Camp Rd
Stevens, PA
(717) 738-1490
| Cocalico Creek Campground
560 Cocalico Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-2014
| Starlite Camping Resort
1500 Furnace Hill Rd
Stevens, PA
(717) 733-9655
| |
| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | R & R Sporting Goods
301 Blair Ave
Reading, PA
(610) 376-3004
| Rick's Bait & Tackle
8061 Allentown Pike
Reading, PA
(610) 926-8888
| Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters TCO Fly Shop
2229 Penn Ave
West Lawn, PA
(610) 678-1899
| Joey's Skateboard & Tackle Shop
1701 Centre Ave
Reading, PA
(610) 478-0454
| Oley Fish & Game Club
114 Old State Rd
Reading, PA
(610) 779-1317
| Terenchin's Live Bait & Tackle
1221 Philadelphia Ave
Reading, PA
(610) 777-6003
| Fisherman's Paradise
2285 Farmington Ave
Boyertown, PA
(610) 369-0464
| Captain Bill's Seafood Restaurant
2289 Farmington Ave
Boyertown, PA
(610) 369-0464
| Angler & Archer Outfitter
1400 Lancaster Ave
Shillington, PA
(610) 777-6118
| Kurtz Fish Farm
161 Isabella Rd
Elverson, PA
(610) 286-9250
| Barry's Sharpening Service
35 Werner St
Wernersville, PA
(610) 678-7807
| Woody's Sporting Goods
35 Werner St
Wernersville, PA
(610) 678-7807
| Gordon's Sports Supply
129 Pottstown Pike
Chester Springs, PA
(610) 458-5153
| French Creek Hunting & Fishing Outfitters
270 Schuylkill Rd
Phoenixville, PA
(610) 933-7200
| South Birdsboro Archery Rod & Gun Club
470 Geigertown Rd
Douglassville, PA
(610) 582-5026
| Boyertown Rod & Gun Club
295 Sunset Hill Rd
Boyertown, PA
(610) 689-5847
| Esh's Archery
101 W Main St
New Holland, PA
(717) 354-4311
| Sportsman's Shop The
101 W Main St # 1
New Holland, PA
(717) 354-4311
| Mudduck Charters
1375 S Cocalico Rd # 104
Denver, PA
(717) 335-3740
| Adamstown Rod & Gun Club
563 Willow St
Adamstown, PA
(717) 484-4424
| |
| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Adrienne's Inn at Centre Park
730 Centre Ave
Reading, PA
(610) 374-8557
| Mariawald Retreat House
1094 Welsh Rd
Reading, PA
(610) 777-0135
| PSHS Inc
5028 Camp Rd
Mohnton, PA
(717) 445-6330
| Hickory Run Family Campground Resort
285 Greenville Rd
Denver, PA
(717) 336-5564
| Fop Berks Lodge
Reading, PA
(610) 779-1454
| Singer Travel
18 Commerce Dr
Reading, PA
(610) 378-1610
| Spring Mountain Ski Area Information
750 Spring Mount Rd
Schwenksville, PA
(610) 287-7900
| Animal Resorts
301 Jefferis Rd
Downingtown, PA
(610) 942-0388
| |
|
| Directions: |
| French Creek State Park is located off of PA 345, south of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and north of PA 23. The park is in Berks and Chester Counties. |
|
|
| |
|
USA
