French Creek State Park

French Creek State Park is a 7916 acre park located near Elverson, Pennsylvania.  The park is the site for charcoal production used in ironmaking at the adjacent Hopewell Furnace.   The park features 2 lakes Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake. The lakes feature a variety of species of fish.  There are more than 35 miles of hiking trails in the park.  

French Creek

Feature Summary

  • Official website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/french-creek-state-park.html
  • Campsites: 201 sites, non-electric, electric and full hookup, 10 modern cabins, 3 camping cottages, 2 yurts, 17 organized group tent sites, 2 organized group cabins
  • Firewood availability: obtain outside of park
  • Bath Facilities: Modern Bath houses, dish wash sinks
  • Hiking: 35 mi
  • Other Activities: Pool swimming (for fee), Disc golf, Canoeing/Kayaking, Fishing
    • Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
  • Cellphone reception:  Acceptable
  • Dates We Visited: 9/2017, 10/2017, 4/2019, 9/2020, 9/2021, 11/2021, 9/2022, 9/2023, 9/2024

Camping

The campground at French Creek is open from early March to early January.  Camping at French creek is arranged in 4 loops.  Loop A is a pet friendly loop that contains full hookups and non-electric sites.  Loop B is a non-pet loop consisting of electric and non-electric sites.  Loop C is a pet friendly loop containing full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites.  Loop D is a non-pet non-electric site loop.  We have camped in loop B and C.  The pads are relatively level in these two loops.  There are some sites in loop C that are nearly full sun.  Loop B is relatively wooded.  Bath houses at French Creek State park are older renovated bath houses.

French Creek Campfire

Hiking

French Creek has 35 miles of hiking ranging from easy to difficult.  Trails are well marked throughout the park and markings have improved since we first started camping at French Creek.  Trails and French creek are blazed different colors and often cross so make sure you know which trail you are on.

Boone Trail (6 mi, Most Difficult, Loop):  The Boone Trail is a great trail featuring scenic views of Hopewell Lake.  Some portions of the trail are steep and rocky.

French Creek Hopewell Lake Dam

Colliers Trail (1.4 mi, More Difficult, Out and back): The Colliers trail connects the French Creek campground to Hopewell Furnace.  The trail is moderately rocky and has about 400 ft elevation gain.  The trail passes by the remains of a colliers hut and charcoal pit.

Lenape Trail (5.5 mi, More Difficult, Loop): The Lenape trail loops through French creek and Hopewell Furnace and passes by both Hopewell and Scott's Run lakes.

French Creek Lenape Trail
Boone and Lenape Trail near Scotts Run Lake

Orange and Green Trail (0.4 mi, Easiest, Out and Back):  The Orange and Green Trail is a Short Trail and connects Six Penny Trail and Boone Trail.  It is accessed from the campground.

Six Penny Trail (3.4 mi, Most Difficult, Loop):  The Six Penny Trail is a relatively difficult trail that passes by the historic Six Penny Day Use area.

Canoeing, Kayaking, and Fishing

French Creek features the 68 acre Hopewell Lake and 22 acre Scotts Run Lake.  Both Lakes are electric motor only lakes and feature the ability to fish within the lake.  Scotts Run Lake is a cold water lake stocked with trout.  Hopewell Lake is a big bass lake with Northern Pike, Chain pickerel, bass, walleye, Muskellunge, and Panfish.

Disc Golf

French Creek features an 18 hole disc golf course near Hopewell Lake.