French Creek State Park
RV Guide

With 35 miles of trails to offer, you won't want to forget to pack your hiking boots along in the Airstream when you visit French Creek State Park. Whether you're looking to get an intense workout or simply reflect in the tranquil nature of the park, there's a trail for you. If you'd like to get a full tour of the park, check out Boone Trail. This six-mile trek leads past all of the park's main attractions and is only open to hikers. For an especially memorable excursion, visit in the autumn when the fall foliage is at its peak.

If you're looking to take the trails at French Creek State Park at a faster pace, be sure to bring the bikes along in the motorhome. Although not all trails are open for mountain biking, you'll have over 20 miles to work with. Only advanced riders are recommended to take to the trails, as the rocky terrain makes for a challenge. Riders should note that only trail riding is allowed, and biking is prohibited on camp roads and anywhere south of Park Road.

French Creek State Park keeps its gates open year-round, so once the snow hits, don't hesitate to pack the campervan up with gear and come have some fun. Visitors of all ages will love the winter activities available at the park. Kids can enjoy sledding on the slope created by the backside of the dam on Scotts Run Lake, and ice fishing and skating are allowed on both lakes once there's a healthy layer of ice. The hiking trails convert to cross-country skiing trails once the snow sticks, and there's no better way to enjoy the unspoiled nature of the park in the wintertime.

With two lakes located on-site, French Creek State Park is an angler's paradise. Scotts Run Lake is the smaller of the two and offers 22 acres of great cold water fishing. Trout are stocked in this lake year-round. The larger Hopewell Lake is known for its big bass, but other common catches include northern pike, walleye, and panfish. If you didn't tow a boat along behind the Class B, you can use the ADA-accessible fishing pier in the day-use area.

Hunting is allowed at French Creek State Park in certain areas during established seasons. If fact, over 6,000 acres are available for hunting and trapping. Dog training is also allowed at the park from mid-September through March in designated areas. Take aim at a variety of game, from rabbit and turkey to deer and pheasant. If you exhaust all the land at the park, head just three miles southeast to State Game Land 43 for an additional 1,800 acres of hunting ground.

With a vast ecosystem and high-quality resources, its no wonder so many animals chose to make French Creek their home. The park is a critical natural area, so much so that parts of it have received the titles of an important mammal area, an important bird area, and a state park natural area. If you tread lightly along the trails, you may see deer, raccoons, songbirds, and a variety of other small critters. The area has a number of full-time residents, but it is also an important location for migratory birds flying through on their way to warmer places.

Even though French Creek State Park only has one horseback riding trail, don't let that stop you from bringing your horses to the park. Horseshoe Trail is properly named and is the only equestrian trail in the park. At eight miles in length, you'll go past some of the park's main attractions, including both of the park's lake. If you'd like to continue riding after you've seen the whole park, Horseshoe Trails extends a further 130 miles all the way to the Appalachian Trail near Harrisburg on one end and Valley Forge National Park on the other.

Pennsylvania gets hot during the summer months, and you'll be glad to have a reprieve from the heat during your RV vacation to French Creek State Park. Kids and adults alike will love the swimming pool located on the shore of Hopewell Lake. Open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the pool offers scenic views for both swimmers and sunbathers. If you get hungry, a snack bar and picnic area are also located in the pool area. You can be rest ensured that your kids will swim safely with a lifeguard on duty.

If you prefer to be on the water rather than in it, both Hopewell Lake and the smaller Scotts Run Lake allow boating access during the summer months. Both lakes are equipped with boat launches, and if you didn't tow your own watercraft behind the Sprinter, French Creek State Park offers rentals. Rentals are available on Hopewell Lake from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Boat mooring spaces also available at each lake from April through November.

Affectionately known as the Orienteering Capital of North America by some, French Creek State Park is a great place to learn all about orienteering or to simply brush up on your skills. The park offers a self-guided course available for visitors of any age. The course can be completed in a group or individually with the help of a map and a compass. Orienteering is a great workout for both the mind and the body, and it's also a great way to get the kids out of the motorhome for a few hours!

Disc golf fanatics and newbies alike can enjoy the on-site disc golf course at French Creek State Park. The course is located in the wooded area near Hopewell Lake and is a popular place for both park visitors and locals. Score cards and maps are available at the course, but you'll need to bring your own discs along in the Class A if you hope to enjoy the course during your time at the park.

The history buffs in your group will love the Hopewell Furnace. Long before French Creek State Park existed, this area was logged to create charcoal for the furnace. The Hopewell Furnace was fundamental for producing iron for the country from the late 1700s through the 1800s, so much so that it has since been dubbed a National Historic Site. Located just across from the park, you can visit the furnace and learn more about its history. During the summer months, historical interpreters can be seen walking around the area, offering their knowledge about the furnace and the forest.