French Creek offers summer fun

Despite a fire in April that damaged more than 600 acres, French Creek is ready for summer activities and visitors.

“There are signs of new life. It’s starting to get back to normal,” Eric Brown, manager of French Creek State Park said. Brown said it is taking a “monumental effort” to clean the debris that remains from the October snowstorm. “We are letting nature take its course,” Brown said.

There are many things to see and do while in the woods at French Creek. Hiking, boating, fishing, camping, orienteering, and Frisbee golf are just some of the activities that await you. There are more than 35 miles of hiking trails spanning 7,730 acres and ranging from one mile in length up to eight miles for hikers of any expertise. In addition to hiking, French Creek also has orienteering markers and is home to many geocaching opportunities.

Camping opportunities include both tent and cabin locations with flush toilets, hot showers and some electric hookups available at the cabins and cottages. For tent campers, there are 17 total sites with one site able to hold 60 people and the other 16 able to accommodate 30 people each. Site users will be required to make a reservation beforehand.

Fishermen have two lakes from which to choose: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake. Scotts Run Lake is a 22-acre cold-water lake that holds trout and other types of cold-water fish species. Hopewell Lake is a 68-acre warm-water lake with many different types of fish just waiting to be caught. If fishermen plan on using a boat to aid their fishing experience, all boats must have the proper registration and permits before going on the water.

For families looking for another activity besides a picnic and a hike, Frisbee golf is an option at French Creek, where 18 holes are ready to test any Frisbee golfer’s mettle. This course is designed more for accuracy than power and is very demanding, even for the most-experienced Frisbee golfers.

For water-lovers, there is a pool by Hopewell Lake that is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. There are certified lifeguards on duty and there is a concession stand for food and other picnic supplies. If swimmers wish, a pavilion inside the complex can be reserved. Take note: swimming is only allowed in the pool. There is no swimming allowed in the lakes.

All these activities and much more await visitors to French Creek State Park. Bring your family to discover all that this historic place has to offer.

French Creek State Park is located at 843 Park Road, Elverson, off of Route 345 (south of Birdsboro and north of Route 23). Contact the park at 610-582-8680.