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French Creek State Park

3.5 (77 reviews)

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Very clean and spacious yurt
Allie A.

We stayed here in late August from a Friday to Sunday and gloriously got one of two yurts, while our friends stayed next door in one of the simpler camping cottages. Approximately $90 a night. Pros: The yurt was very spacious. Remember to fold up the window flaps to get some cross breeze. Having a kitchen with a 4 burner stove and a full fridge with plenty of cabinet space was so great. We didn't need or want to use the microwave. Plenty of electric outlets. We needed it because we brought a bunch of fans to keep the air flow moving during a hot weekend. Looks like 2 heaters are also included for cooler times of the year. Plenty of lighting inside and out. There are 2 bunkbeds that could comfortably fit 5 people and even a dining room table. The site also included a picnic table and fire pit. Bathroom facilities included a nice big sink for doing dishes. And a first... a giant metal bin of tons of kindling for free! Pyromaniacs, get your fire starters right here. CONS - all fairly minor: A yurt is designed to have a pop up clear "roof" vent to promote light and air flow. However, this yurt, unlike several others I've stayed in, did not have a screen for the vent, so bugs potentially could have come in. A screen door to allow ventilation would've also been a huge bonus. The big downside for us who are in the middle-aged realm was having bathrooms that were a little farther than we liked. Note the yurt did not have any running water, but a water spigot for all sites nearby was very close by. The campsite bathrooms were OK, not great. The floors were constantly wet (weird draining design from the showers?) and they could have been cleaner. The only place to dump garbage was by the park entrance, none within the loops. NO CAMP STORE - come stocked with ice and local firewood or risk a 6-mile drive to the nearest place recommended by park rangers.

Dana S.

Came here with my family and it was on of the most memorable camping trips I ever had. It was a bit of a drive but well worth it! When we arrived we pulled up to gravel areas that had picnic tables near the area. I was sharing one of the campsite with my brother and his family and we were able to fit 4 different tents on the area. I was a bit surprised that they really didn't have any dirt for us to put our tents on, only this gravel road, which made laying on it pure agony. The area in the dirt was covered with trees and branches sprouting up in the ground and it would have been impossible to put our tents in the wooded dirt area. It was a fun trip because each campsite had a fire pit and picnic table and a large area to play football, tether ball and other games. We ended up roasting marshmallows and eating hotdogs and grilling burgers and even steak on the grills that they had over the fire pit. On the campsite, there were bathrooms and showers about a half mile from where we were set up, so it wasn't a terribly far walk to wash up, or stumble in the pitch black to use the bathrooms. When it came to the end of our trip, we took some time and drove around to see what else this campground offers. The other parts of the campgrounds is huge and they have a swimming pool, boats you can rent out and take out on the water, as well as fishing, and a playground for kids. I will definitely be coming back to this campground again, I think next time though Ill have an air mattress and a bigger tent to be more comfortable.

Lauren S.

Wow, I had French Creek on my radar for a while and finally got to hike it. Went back to back weekend because there just so much to cover. 10.6 miles one week and 11.6 the next and my husband and I still didn't hit all the trial but we probably did most of the park parameter. Its very easy to create a roue that's not an out and back which is nice. If you want to do shorter hikes than we did that totally do able too. I recommend printing out the map from http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004691.pdf once we figured out where we were it was easy to use. We had one issue on the Buzzard Trail were we went off trail by accident think we make the turn towards the Leanope Trails. The numbers on the map are great reference point although we found some numbers not on the map.

Loop C site 3
Ricky S.

This is an amazing park. Our GPS left us on Shed Road where there is no park entrance. We had to follow She'd Road to the end and make a left at the stop sign. The entrance to the park was down the road and to the right. We stayed in loop C site 3. Site three had full hook ups which was great. The park has a playground and plenty of room to walk or hike. This is one of my favorite state parks.

Tara M.

I never came to this park before but I think it was a good place to come camping under the starlit sky. We set up our tents and enjoyed cooking on the pit. We only stayed 1 night but I would like to come back again when the pool is open. Our group drove around the park and we noticed they have boat rental, the swimming pool, hiking, or you can bring your bike and ride the trails. I would like to come back with a bigger group and enjoy more of the activities. I do recommend this park i feel it will make a lot of families happy and it will give them a chance to have quality time together instead of being on the video games all day.

Musket Hunting
Gerald S.

Occupying more than 7,500 forested acres in the Schuylkill Highlands in Chester and Berks Counties, French Creek State Park offers camping, fishing, winter cross country skiing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking - just about every outdoor activity on your Memorial Day Weekend wish list. Yet, being close to large population centers and offering so many activities, it does feel a bit overused. If you're looking for solitude along with your tenting, hiking or fishing, you might want to search further afield for a less popular place. The original woodlands was old growth Chestnut forest, whose hardwood was used in the 18th and 19th Centuries for charcoal to fire up the cold iron furnaces in Hopewell and Warwick, that helped arm the Continental Army with cannon and shot that resulted in the birth of our US of A., and was part of the American contribution to the Industrial Revolution. The second growth is primarily oak and maple hardwoods. Hard to believe, but the area is more beautiful now than in those days, when all the coal production and primitive smelting turned the environment into a smoggy wilderness, and eliminated much of the wildlife. We enjoyed our hours of hiking along the trails in the early morning, but by noon, there were people everywhere, who seemed more intent on talking to each other, than enjoying what nature had to offer. Preferring silence in nature, we knew it was time to move on. Luckily, Hopewell Furnace National Site was very nearby. If you want a more remote experience, give End of the World State Park, or the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania a visit.

Tom S.

The drive up 422 and winding toward French Creek went faster than I expected. Soon enough, we found ourselves parked near a lake and walking along a surrounding trail with our picnic basket. The lake was alive with seasoned-looking small boats and canoes, filled with folks celebrating the Memorial Day weekend. We sat at a picnic table by the water to enjoy a far-too-large meal courtesy of the tremendous Wegman's in Phoenixville. After a moment to digest we wandered slowly around the lake, along sometimes muddy trails with terrific views of the water. Our walk took more than an hour at a leisurely pace. Satisfied, we prepared to exit the park but stopped for a map before we left. As it turns out, our walk covered a tiny section of the park. If the park were a pizza, the lake we circled is merely the size of a french fry. So much more to explore! I can't wait to go back.

french creek state park
Dan R.

This was one of the larger parks thats closer to harrisburg, located in berks county, not that far from reading, pa. it really is beqautiful, there is a large lake there, one evening we just sat there at the bench and watched the geese fly by. there is a grist mill and some historical buildings. There were enormous amounts of deer here, the park is very large, and just going to the office, i noticed that there were literally dozens of deer sitting ina field, eating from a grove of apple trees. 68 acre Hopewell lake will keep you occupied if you like sailing, boating or fishing, the park itself is 7500 acres. Has Yurts, cabins, tents and primitive back woods camping.

suman a.

The campgrounds are pretty crappy, there was an abnormal amount of bugs everywhere for mid-July. Large Group sites are meant for 30 people, but the bathrooms were holes in the ground that smelled really bad down wind. The gravel roads are not fun either. There are two lakes, that are kinda cool. I heard the pool is nice, but it cost $7 to get in. I think I'll be going camping elsewhere next time

Camping in French Creek State Park
Patti F.

CAMPING REVIEW ONLY!!! We went tent camping March 2013 and thought we were going to get away just the two of us. You know - before the season really started. I think we need to realize that state park campgrounds in PA are more geared to 1) families with screaming young children and 2) people with pop-ups. Alcohol is strictly forbidden and quiet hours start at 9. Not sure what time they run to, but the kiddies are up at daybreak and boy are they loud. We were in cite C-19 which was pretty roomy, but many of the sites were small and my husband pointed out that there were no trees in between sites. Kind of a bummer when you are jonesing for some wilderness. The inner loop was very rocky and we weren't sure where a tent woudl fit, let alone a pickup and a trailer. On the plus side - the wash house facilities were clean and the park ranger seemed nice. Also there is a large lake and park open to the public that seem nice for summertime day trips. We were really excited to be so close to home to get away for a quick weekend. (FYI this park is only about 1.5 hr drive from center city philly.) However, in the future we will be sure to travel further to Delaware, Maryland or NY state for camping.

Site 8: Modern Cabin

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Fabulous sights relaxing great for boating and grilling. Love going on weekdays! Beautiful way to spend the day.

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You can camp here all year! We like loop D because there are no RVs! Great place to camp with the kids.

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Manderach Park - Age 2 to 15

Manderach Park

4.6(17 reviews)
14.4 mi

We absolutely love this park so much to do and it's so clean. The slides are incredibly, just a…read morelittle tough to get to the top. My only complaint is there isn't enough shade in the summertime so it gets really hot there. We love coming here!

This is the best playground in the area. My kids (ages 4 and 2) love this playground. The big…read moreslides are super fun and the steps to the slides wear them out which is great for parents. If you want your small children to nap, then have them walk up the steps to the slides a dozen times. There is a nice variety of playground equipment for all ages including swings, a 3 person seesaw, spinning/ climbing thing, etc. All the equipment has a castle theme which is super cute. I love that the entire playground is fenced in with fences high enough that young kids definitely cannot get over. The fencing around the steps/ platforms for the slides is also super safe to prevent falls. I feel totally comfortable letting my kids walk up and slide down by themselves while I wait at the bottom. Bathrooms nearby are better than most playgrounds. The only downside is that there isn't a lot of shade. Some benches are shaded but none of the playground equipment is shaded so you feel like you're baking on a hot day. There are covered benches at the entrance of the playground for parents. But your kids will have so much fun that they'll barely notice how hot they are.

Photos
Manderach Park - Awesome fun.

Awesome fun.

Manderach Park - Big slides

Big slides

Manderach Park - Super park

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Super park

Kilgore Falls - The waterfall!

Kilgore Falls

4.0(41 reviews)
48.5 mi

Kilgore is a lovely place for an easy to moderate hiking trail. It's open daily but you need a…read morepermit on the weekends from Memorial day to Labor Day I believe. To get to the waterfall you have to walk a path that's about 10-15 minutes. You will have to climb over some rocks in the water in your travels, but once you get to the waterfall you will absolutely love it. *Please note* Wear comfortable shoes because there are some areas that could be potentially dangerous if you don't take your time.

[Coronavirus review] This is a small site auxiliary to Rocks…read moreState Park. Notably, the parking lot requires an advance reservation on peak dates, and this policy has been expanded to cover more dates due to the pandemic lockdown pushing people to spend their days outdoors. The trail is a short loop to the falls. Great Falls this isn't, but it's significant enough to generate a nice spray. A rather upset-looking fish flopped down shallow water as I approached. Upstream of the falls was a challenge. Few fords were viable, perhaps owing to heavy rain, and signs suggesting the area was blocked off were ignored by expeditions looking for better crossings. I made it across the stream and back, but I did get a little wet. The scenery isn't worth a long drive on its own, but paired with the other local park sites, it makes for good viewing, and in particular this space with its parking limitations can't get too crowded.

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Kilgore Falls
Kilgore Falls
Kilgore Falls

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Kids Dream Playground - Kid's Dream Playground

Kids Dream Playground

4.2(14 reviews)
27.3 mi

This playground was recommended by my son's chiro's office. Just as a place to go, nothing chiro…read morespecial about it. There is a lot of large equipment, but not a whole lot of variety or imagination in the different interactive functions. Reeves Park's playground (Phoenixville), Smith Memorial Playground (Fairmount Park), Freedom Playground (Haverford), and Aston Twp's new playground all have really imaginitive stuff, and just as large of an expanse (if not larger). I also have to give props to the Reeves Park and Freedom playgrounds for being fenced in (Smith is, but it's so big, the fence is not as containing as it could be). Kids Dream is not fenced, unfortunately, because it is a layer of safety I always appreciate, for young kids who run, and also just to keep out wandering dogs (the ones on a long leash whose caretakers aren't paying attention) or to dissuade sketchy people from hanging around (sorry but they're everywhere). There is a nearby walking trail, and it's also adjacent to township offices (shared parking lot). I do have to comment that there was a bit of litter generally around, which is never okay for a kids' playground. Also, this playground is pretty crowded. Parents seemed adequately considerate, but honestly, all the abovementioned playgrounds had a better vibe to me. Maybe because this place was built up by my recommendation and the reviews, but it wasn't as great as my expectations (and comparative experiences).

Fantastic playground!! Huge plenty of options of what to play on. Love it! Will be back for sure…read more Not far from the shopping areas. Conveniently located.

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Kids Dream Playground - Kid's Dream Playground -- entrance

Kid's Dream Playground -- entrance

Kids Dream Playground - Kid's Dream Playground -- entrance

Kid's Dream Playground -- entrance

Kids Dream Playground - Kid's Dream Playground

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Kid's Dream Playground

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

4.1(7 reviews)
18.9 mi

This park offers a pleasant trail system that links to a wider network, providing ample parking…read morespaces for visitors. The pavilion area includes clean public restrooms and outdoor grills perfect for casual sports activities. The paved trails cater to various activities such as walking, running, dog walking, and biking. While the trail markers are helpful, using a mobile phone for orientation may be necessary for longer distances. Although shade from trees is limited, the park offers convenient access to the river, making it suitable for fishing.

This is a great park right off of the Egypt Rd and 422 intersection in Oaks, PA. Its broken down…read moreinto several areas...BIG Grass fields, the parking\trail area, and the picnic area where there is plenty of shade, restrooms, picnic tables, and built in charcoal grills I've never seen anyone use. Plenty of space, the only time I see a real crowd here is during a sporting events...not the Eagles, but youth soccer practice, volleyball tournaments, or something similar...otherwise there is generally plenty of room here to walk your dog, stretch your legs or just kick back and read a book. My favorite thing to do here is grab lunch and sit in the picnic area relaxing on my lunch hour. Can be hard to go back to work on a gorgeous day, but well worth it in my book! There is one "not recommended" review...I have no idea what this person is talking about, this park is VERY well maintained. Grass is cut, the place is clean and the park ranger is never far from sight.

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Lower Perkiomen Valley Park - Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park - Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Lower Perkiomen Valley Park - Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

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Lower Perkiomen Valley Park

Speedwell Forge County Park - Sailing... Takes me away to where I've always heard it could be. Just a dream and the wind to carry me...

Speedwell Forge County Park

5.0(2 reviews)
28.5 mi

(This is for the Speedwell Forge Lake which is right next door to the actual park itself.)…read more If you are so inclined for a little light reading and/or mapery, see the below for all of the technical necessaries regarding the lake. pfbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c3a9b1eef46b4ebe85bf2c883fa7f73e&center=-76.30666700%2c40.20333300&level=13 co.lancaster.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/521/Speedwell-Forge-Park-Location-Map?bidId= www.fishandboat.com/About-Us/PFBC-by-Region/PFBC-Lakes/Pages/SpeedwellForgeLake.aspx Looking for a new place put the kayaks in the water is what led us here. Why? To me, the lake is big enough to give you some interesting things to see and explore, but not too big that you can't see it all in a few hours. There are two docks you can launch from - one on either side of Brubaker Valley Road. It was mid-morning on a weekday and there were seven or eight other kayaks out there (mostly people fishing) and a few small boats that were also fishing. Plenty of wildlife with a Bald Eagle, a deer, a few Blue Heron and fish constantly jumping out of the water. At the far west end of the lake, where it gets shallow and you come to where it gets fed by the Hammer Creek, you expect to see a lot of ducks, turtles, frogs and since you're at the side of the Speedwell Forge Wolf Sanctuary - you can hear some barking & howling and even catch a few glimpses through the trees of a few of the residents running around. Fwiw, I can imagine that on weekends, this place getting very crowded and while it does have some size to it, compared to some other county/state parks, it's not that big. But for a weekday, it was more than fine. Beautiful. Peaceful. What more could you want?

This is a great place to go kayaking and fishing. Looks easy enough to navigate putting in even if…read moreyou are a beginner. First time here, apparently it's been recently drained and restocked. Lots of kayaks and canoes laying in the grassy areas, leading to a sense of serenity and safety, which is refreshing. Beautiful views & lots of wildlife all leading to a peaceful relaxing experience.

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Speedwell Forge County Park - Access point off of West Brubaker Valley Road

Access point off of West Brubaker Valley Road

Speedwell Forge County Park - The fencing is the side of the property for the Speedwell Wolf Sanctuary

The fencing is the side of the property for the Speedwell Wolf Sanctuary

Speedwell Forge County Park

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French Creek State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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