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RVcircus's avatar
RVcircus
Explorer II
Dec 08, 2015

French Creek State Park - PA

A few weeks ago we decided to take a last minute overnight trip locally since the kids were off for election day. We've heard great things about the campground at French Creek State Park, so we decided to give it a try.

We headed out after the kids got home from school and unfortunately ran out of daylight before arriving. You're able to check-in using the honor system after hours which was great, but we weren't able to do much exploring.

When we woke up the next morning we went to check the area out. The C loop is open year round and it's the only loop where pets are allowed. I hit the playground with the kids and snooped around the cool cabins and yurts too.

After we finished breakfast and our morning campfire we hit the trails. We embarked on a 5 mile hike after realizing we didn't bring any good shoes. It was a long hike with the little ones, but the area is beautiful (especially in the fall) and the kids did awesome.

All in all, we spent 22 hours camping which is certainly better than a day at work. The campground and facilities were nice and we'll now be adding French Creek to our local campground rotation.

Here's our minute and a half video recap of the trip

And a link to Sandie's full blog post about the trip
  • RGar974417's avatar
    RGar974417
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2015
    French Creek is one of my least favorite state parks. Sites are close together and tables and fire rings are behind trailers instead of next to them. We had neighbors who came with 2 kids and a dog who got into a fight.Lot's of swearing and threatening behavior. I went to find a ranger and when I did,he didn't seem too concerned. We left and never went back.It does have a nice lake and Hopewell Village National Historic site is next door.But IMO,the campground stinks.
  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2015
    The fire ring behind the trailer was strange, but it really didn't bother me much. There were only a few RV's there when we went, so maybe we got lucky or you were unlucky. We have friends that have been camping there for 15 years and love the place. It's certainly not the greatest, but we'll give it another shot in the spring. I used to mountain bike there and the trails are great!

    RGar974417 wrote:
    French Creek is one of my least favorite state parks. Sites are close together and tables and fire rings are behind trailers instead of next to them. We had neighbors who came with 2 kids and a dog who got into a fight.Lot's of swearing and threatening behavior. I went to find a ranger and when I did,he didn't seem too concerned. We left and never went back.It does have a nice lake and Hopewell Village National Historic site is next door.But IMO,the campground stinks.
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2015
    I've been to French Creek several times - usually "out of season", so probably only 10 sites occupied. I love that park, I go mainly for the mountain bike trails (which are sensational). The only part I don't like is the steep hill leading up to the sites - towing a TT up that hill seems to really tax the TV.

    Lot's of activities during the summer, kayak, lake, Hopewell Furnace.....
  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Dec 09, 2015
    The trails really are awesome! I think the available activities in the park are what makes it stand out to us (and it doesn't hurt that it's only a 40 minute drive).

    Does anyone know what the metal poles/hook on each site are for?

    fitznj wrote:
    I've been to French Creek several times - usually "out of season", so probably only 10 sites occupied. I love that park, I go mainly for the mountain bike trails (which are sensational). The only part I don't like is the steep hill leading up to the sites - towing a TT up that hill seems to really tax the TV.

    Lot's of activities during the summer, kayak, lake, Hopewell Furnace.....
  • pasusan's avatar
    pasusan
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2015
    RVcircus wrote:
    The trails really are awesome! I think the available activities in the park are what makes it stand out to us (and it doesn't hurt that it's only a 40 minute drive).

    Does anyone know what the metal poles/hook on each site are for?

    fitznj wrote:
    I've been to French Creek several times - usually "out of season", so probably only 10 sites occupied. I love that park, I go mainly for the mountain bike trails (which are sensational). The only part I don't like is the steep hill leading up to the sites - towing a TT up that hill seems to really tax the TV.

    Lot's of activities during the summer, kayak, lake, Hopewell Furnace.....
    Hanging a lantern. :)
  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Dec 09, 2015
    Thank you!!! That baffled me, but would have been awesome for hanging a lantern if I had one;)

    pasusan wrote:
    RVcircus wrote:
    The trails really are awesome! I think the available activities in the park are what makes it stand out to us (and it doesn't hurt that it's only a 40 minute drive).

    Does anyone know what the metal poles/hook on each site are for?

    fitznj wrote:
    I've been to French Creek several times - usually "out of season", so probably only 10 sites occupied. I love that park, I go mainly for the mountain bike trails (which are sensational). The only part I don't like is the steep hill leading up to the sites - towing a TT up that hill seems to really tax the TV.

    Lot's of activities during the summer, kayak, lake, Hopewell Furnace.....
    Hanging a lantern. :)

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