French Creek State Park in PA

Thank you all for the great info.

We stayed there twice, both time early season trips where only one loop was open and not many campers around, so it was nice. Cold, but nice. I've heard they get a seedier crowd in the meat of the season, so I haven't been back. There are some great hiking trails and don't miss Hopewell Furnace if you haven't visited there. Great history!

The biggest thing we didn't like was the campground was at the top of a hill because we're bike riders, so the last thing you do every time you go on a ride is climb that darned hill on the way home. It'll test you for sure. Other than that, we liked it there, but summer may tell a different tale.

I take it that you will be coming from NJ. The simplest route would be to use the Morgantown, PA turnpike exit 298. Take rte 10 (south?) toward Mogantown. Make a left turn onto rte 23 east; I think it is at the 2nd traffic signal after exiting the turnpike. Take rte 23 east through Elverson to rte 345 north (left turn off rte 23). Go about 3 miles (?). Road to the park will be on the left. Be careful, the sign is not very big and you may pass it by.

This route will require you to backtrack a few miles, but trust me, it is the easiest and less congested way to go. I live just outside of Phoenixville and we have taken our grandchildren camping in French Creek many times.

I forgot to tell you to do a search for "French Creek state park". There is additional info there from 2013 including a post I made regarding some of the sites.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Ray

Before visiting the park you may want to read this thread;
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25284611/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
Be sure to read to the end where I tell of our experience at the park.

I also posted a bad review at rvparkreviews;
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Pennsylvania/Elverson.html

I did send several emails back and forth with the park manager. At first he told me I was all wrong. Eventually he admitted the camp host was away, the dead tree would be removed immediately, and the bathrooms had not been cleaned because their pressure washer was broken.

Hopefully by this time they have resolved the issues and management has cleaned up the park. It was a nice place but it was not being cared for.

We stayed at French Creek about 4 years ago.We were in the dog loop.What I did not like about most sites in that section was the picnick table and fire ring was behind the trailer instead of along side.There was no privacy between the sites.We went in on a Sunday in the spring because we don't like to go when it's crowded.Even though there were many open sites,a couple with 2 kids and a dog decided to take the site next to us.They then proceeded to get into a loud fight before going to bed and then another one the next morning.There we alot of F bombs being thrown around.I felt sorry for the young kids to have to be around that.They then drove off and left their very friendly dog tied to a tree.I reported all this to a ranger who did nothing.At that point we packed up and left a day early.We generally like Pa State Parks but will not return to that one ever.

Most of the sites there are of pretty good size, so I don't think you'll have much trouble. We stop there occasionally on our way home in the spring. Here are some pictures and comments.

Ted H.