French Creek State Park
General Information
Once an industrial complex for the fledgling United States of America, today French Creek State Park is an oasis for people and wildlife. Straddling the Schuylkill Highlands, the 7,730-acre park is the largest block of contiguous forest between Washington D.C. and New York City.
The forests, lakes, wetlands, and fields are a destination for the people of southeast Pennsylvania to hike, fish, camp, and bike.
Those same habitats are homes to many animals and plants that are rare in this corner of the commonwealth. French Creek State Park is an Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society and also has Pine Swamp -- a State Park Natural Area.
HIKING 35 miles of trails
More than 35 miles of well-marked trails cover a large portion of the park’s 7,730 acres. Hikers at French Creek have a wide variety of opportunities for quiet reflection, nature study and physical challenge. Trailhead parking is located in many convenient areas.
BOONE TRAIL 6 miles, blue blazes, more difficult hiking
This loop trail connects all major attractions of French Creek, making it an excellent route to see the park. Start your trip at Hopewell Lake Boat Launch parking lot, Group Tenting Areas 13-18, campground contact station, or Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center (using connector trails). Several portions are steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes. It is closed to mountain bikes around Hopewell Lake.
BUZZARDS TRAIL 3 miles, yellow blazes with red stripe, more difficult hiking
Branching off of Raccoon and Mill Creek trails, this trail passes through the Baptism Creek drainage area in the eastern portion of the park.
HORSE-SHOE TRAIL 8 miles, yellow blazes, more difficult hiking
For hikers and horseback riders, this trail touches highlights of the park including Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake. Horseshoe Trail runs 130 miles from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail near Harrisburg. This is the only equestrian trail in the park.
KALMIA TRAIL 1 mile, purple blazes, more difficult hiking
This mountainside trail provides a pleasant experience through mature forests with scattered mountain laurel. Kalmia is the Latin word for laurel. Mountain biking is prohibited.
LENAPE TRAIL 5.5 miles, green blazes, more difficult hiking
Begin this hike from the campground contact station, Scotts Run Lake, Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center, or PA 345/Shed Road. Follow the solid green blazes to stay on Lenape Trail or venture off onto one of the many blazed trails that intersect this enjoyable trail.
MILL CREEK TRAIL 6 miles, white blazes with a red stripe, most difficult hiking
Once leaving the trailhead at Shed Road and PA 345, you will not cross another road on this backcountry-type loop trail. Be sure to carry water and wear proper clothing and footwear. Consider using Raccoon and Lenape trails to add some variety for your return trip.
RACCOON TRAIL 1.7 miles, red blazes, more difficult hiking
This trail serves as the most direct route into and out of the eastern portion of French Creek State Park. It starts 0.25 mile east of Hopewell Furnace’s main gate and ends at Mill Creek.
SIX PENNY TRAIL 3 miles, orange blazes, more difficult hiking
Use the connector trail (orange blazes with a green stripe) from the campground contact station to get to this loop trail. Most of this trail is closed to mountain bikes.
TURTLE TRAIL 3.6 miles - white blazes - more difficult hiking
Circling through the western portion of French Creek, this trail offers a variety of easy hiking mixed with several challenging sections. Park in the lot along Firetower Road and follow the white blazes in either direction.
TRAIL GUIDELINES
Recreational Activities
Map of Park
Map of Campground
Once an industrial complex for the fledgling United States of America, today French Creek State Park is an oasis for people and wildlife. Straddling the Schuylkill Highlands, the 7,730-acre park is the largest block of contiguous forest between Washington D.C. and New York City.
The forests, lakes, wetlands, and fields are a destination for the people of southeast Pennsylvania to hike, fish, camp, and bike.
Those same habitats are homes to many animals and plants that are rare in this corner of the commonwealth. French Creek State Park is an Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society and also has Pine Swamp -- a State Park Natural Area.
HIKING 35 miles of trails
More than 35 miles of well-marked trails cover a large portion of the park’s 7,730 acres. Hikers at French Creek have a wide variety of opportunities for quiet reflection, nature study and physical challenge. Trailhead parking is located in many convenient areas.
BOONE TRAIL 6 miles, blue blazes, more difficult hiking
This loop trail connects all major attractions of French Creek, making it an excellent route to see the park. Start your trip at Hopewell Lake Boat Launch parking lot, Group Tenting Areas 13-18, campground contact station, or Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center (using connector trails). Several portions are steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes. It is closed to mountain bikes around Hopewell Lake.
BUZZARDS TRAIL 3 miles, yellow blazes with red stripe, more difficult hiking
Branching off of Raccoon and Mill Creek trails, this trail passes through the Baptism Creek drainage area in the eastern portion of the park.
HORSE-SHOE TRAIL 8 miles, yellow blazes, more difficult hiking
For hikers and horseback riders, this trail touches highlights of the park including Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake. Horseshoe Trail runs 130 miles from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail near Harrisburg. This is the only equestrian trail in the park.
KALMIA TRAIL 1 mile, purple blazes, more difficult hiking
This mountainside trail provides a pleasant experience through mature forests with scattered mountain laurel. Kalmia is the Latin word for laurel. Mountain biking is prohibited.
LENAPE TRAIL 5.5 miles, green blazes, more difficult hiking
Begin this hike from the campground contact station, Scotts Run Lake, Hopewell Furnace Visitor Center, or PA 345/Shed Road. Follow the solid green blazes to stay on Lenape Trail or venture off onto one of the many blazed trails that intersect this enjoyable trail.
MILL CREEK TRAIL 6 miles, white blazes with a red stripe, most difficult hiking
Once leaving the trailhead at Shed Road and PA 345, you will not cross another road on this backcountry-type loop trail. Be sure to carry water and wear proper clothing and footwear. Consider using Raccoon and Lenape trails to add some variety for your return trip.
RACCOON TRAIL 1.7 miles, red blazes, more difficult hiking
This trail serves as the most direct route into and out of the eastern portion of French Creek State Park. It starts 0.25 mile east of Hopewell Furnace’s main gate and ends at Mill Creek.
SIX PENNY TRAIL 3 miles, orange blazes, more difficult hiking
Use the connector trail (orange blazes with a green stripe) from the campground contact station to get to this loop trail. Most of this trail is closed to mountain bikes.
TURTLE TRAIL 3.6 miles - white blazes - more difficult hiking
Circling through the western portion of French Creek, this trail offers a variety of easy hiking mixed with several challenging sections. Park in the lot along Firetower Road and follow the white blazes in either direction.
TRAIL GUIDELINES
- Please stay on blazed trails
- Double blazes indicate a change of direction in the trail
- Camping is only permitted at French Creek's established campgrounds
- Horses are permitted on the Horse-shoe Trail, and on the right berm of public roads (except in overnight areas)
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited on any park trails
- Bikes are permitted on roads and approved trails only
- All trails south of Park Road are closed to bikes
Recreational Activities
Map of Park
Map of Campground
Things to do outside of the Park
Hopewell Furnace..
If you have one to two hours:
For assistance and further information on planning your visit, you may call 610-582-8773, extension 232. to speak with a member of our visitor center staff. They will be happy to provide more information.
Hopewell Furnace..
If you have one to two hours:
- Explore the park visitor center/museum which features audio-visual programs, exhibits, and a bookstore.
- View the 15 minute theater program that presents a history of the Hopewell Furnace community.
- Take a self-guided walking tour of the historic community. Enter the historic buildings where interpretive recordings and text will tell you the story of each.
- Experience living history programs and demonstrations presented during the summer season (late June through Labor Day) that show the work and lifestyles of Hopewell's inhabitants. Programs and demonstrations occur on days when staffing is available and vary from day to day.
- Walk (by trails) or drive to historic Bethesda Church (1 mile) and visit this corner of Hopewell's history.
- During apple harvest season (September through October, for as long as there are apples) pick your own apples from the park's orchard of historic varieties (a charge per pound is collected for the apples).
- Hike the park's trails to outlying areas of the park and other public use lands beyond.
- Attend special events that occur throughout the year.
- Visit neighboring French Creek State Park and enjoy the many recreational opportunities it offers.
For assistance and further information on planning your visit, you may call 610-582-8773, extension 232. to speak with a member of our visitor center staff. They will be happy to provide more information.
Kayaking the Schuylkill River
Water level information Could not find minimum water levels for kayaking
River Maps... found here
Water level information Could not find minimum water levels for kayaking
River Maps... found here