Stay Dates: July 19-24, 2026
Distance from Home: Approximately 1.5 Hours
Camping Style: Travel Trailer Camping with Dogs
When we booked five nights at French Creek State Park, we already knew it was pretty close to our house — and even closer to our son’s. At only about an hour and a half from home, it felt like an easy summer camping trip where we could get away without spending half the day on the road.
What we found was one of our favorite Pennsylvania State Park camping experiences to date—and a good reminder of how affordable it can be to stay at one of PA’s beautiful state parks.
From scenic lakes and meadow trails to spacious campsites and dog-friendly hiking opportunities, French Creek proved that you don’t have to travel far to find adventure. By the time we packed up on July 24, we were already talking about when we could come back.
Our Campsite
The campground was one of the highlights of our stay.
Our site was spacious and surrounded by mature trees, creating a peaceful setting that felt tucked away in the woods. We had plenty of room for our Rockwood travel trailer, truck, outdoor rugs, chairs, and all of the gear that helps make camping comfortable.
The extra space was also appreciated by our two pups, who quickly settled into campground life. Whether relaxing on their cots or watching the campground activity from beneath the awning, they seemed right at home.
For us, campsite comfort is a huge part of any camping trip, and French Creek delivered.
Exploring the Lakes
One of the biggest draws of French Creek State Park is its beautiful lake scenery.
Hopewell Lake became a favorite destination during our stay. The lake offered stunning views throughout the day, whether we were walking nearby trails, exploring the shoreline, or simply stopping for photos.
Some areas featured wide-open views across the water, while other sections were filled with lily pads and reflected the surrounding forest. Every turn seemed to offer another great photo opportunity.
One of our favorite moments was taking photos of the dogs along the shoreline with the lake stretching out behind them. Those photos perfectly captured what this trip was all about: spending time together outdoors, enjoying nature, and making memories.
The peaceful lakeside setting made it easy to slow down and enjoy being outdoors.
Lake Loop Hike
- Distance: 2.75 miles
- Time: 48 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 167 feet
This walk provided several beautiful lake views and was easy enough for a relaxing morning adventure.
Meadow Trail Hike
- Distance: 2.69 miles
- Time: 54 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 171 feet
This route turned out to be one of the surprises of the trip. The trail wound through open fields and tall grasses, providing scenic views that felt completely different from the lakeside environment.
The meadow areas offered some of the most expansive views we found anywhere in the park. The contrast between the open fields and the wooded sections made every hike feel unique.
Along the way, we passed trail connections for the Big Woods Trail, Six-Penny Trail, and Schuylkill River Trail, showing just how extensive the trail network really is.
Traveling with the Dogs
As regular readers of S&K On The Road know, our dogs are always part of the adventure.
French Creek turned out to be an excellent destination for camping with dogs. The wide trails, open meadows, lakeside paths, and spacious campground made it easy to include them in nearly every activity.
Some of our favorite photos from the trip featured the dogs enjoying the lakeshore and accompanying us through the meadow trails.
A successful camping trip is one where everyone enjoys themselves, and our dogs definitely seemed to approve of French Creek.
That said, it’s important to note that dogs are not allowed in certain areas of the park, so be sure to pay attention to posted signs and restrictions during your visit.
Recreation Beyond Camping
French Creek offers much more than camping and hiking.
One feature that stood out was the large swimming pool overlooking the lake. The setting provides a unique view that you don’t often find at Pennsylvania state parks.
Other activities available include:
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Picnicking
- Biking
Visitors looking for either an active vacation or a relaxing getaway will find plenty to enjoy.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
No campground is perfect, and there are a few things worth noting before booking your stay.
First, pay close attention to the one-way roads and directional signs throughout the campground and park. It can be easy to miss a turn, especially if you’re towing a trailer or visiting for the first time.
Second, if full hookups are important to you, be sure to check your site carefully when making reservations. Not all sites offer full hookups. Fortunately, our site did, which made our five-night stay very comfortable.
Finally, if you’re traveling with dogs, keep an eye out for areas where pets are not permitted. There are “loops” that are dog friendly, and then there are those where dogs are not permitted.
What Made French Creek Special for Us
One of the things I personally loved most about French Creek was how easy it was to stay active.
Unlike some campgrounds where every walk feels like a workout, French Creek was much flatter and easier to navigate. I like getting my steps in by walking around the campground and park roads instead of driving somewhere to exercise, and French Creek made that easy.
When we stayed at Lackawanna State Park, I found myself climbing hills nearly every time I went for a walk. French Creek wasn’t like that. The relatively gentle terrain made daily walks much more enjoyable and helped me rack up steps without feeling like I was constantly hiking uphill.
The location was also a huge bonus. Not only was the park close to home, but it was also only about 30 minutes from our son’s house, which gave us the opportunity to spend time with family during our stay.
And as an unexpected perk, there was a Trader Joe’s nearby. Since we don’t have one close to home, it gave us a chance to stock up on some favorites and made the trip even more enjoyable.
What We Loved
✅ Only 1.5 hours from home
✅ Spacious wooded campsites
✅ Beautiful lake views
✅ Scenic meadow trails
✅ Dog-friendly atmosphere
✅ Easier walking with fewer hills than many state parks
✅ Close to family
✅ Trader Joe’s nearby
✅ Excellent hiking opportunities
✅ Large pool overlooking the lake
✅ Plenty of photo opportunities
Final Thoughts
French Creek State Park exceeded our expectations in almost every way.
The combination of lakes, forests, meadows, hiking trails, recreational opportunities, and comfortable campsites created an experience that felt far removed from everyday life despite being so close to home.
What stood out most was the variety. One day we were relaxing by the lake. The next we were walking through meadows, exploring trails, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at camp with the dogs.
Sometimes the best camping destinations aren’t the ones hundreds of miles away. Sometimes they’re right in your own backyard.
French Creek State Park reminded us of that, and it’s a place we’ll gladly return to in the future.
S&K On The Road Rating
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 5 Campfires Out of 5
Would We Stay Again? Absolutely.