XC Skiing. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. During established seasons, more than 6,000 acres are open to: Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. DCNR > State Parks > Find a Park > French Creek State Park > Maps of French Creek State Park. During established seasons, more than 6,000 acres are open to:

Please enable scripts and reload this page. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAVE! In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's vehicle or enclosed trailer. More than 35 miles of well-marked trails cover a large portion of the park’s 7,916 acres. It is located in the Hopewell Big Woods. Driving Directions: The French Creek State Park …

It also caused numerous evacuations around the eastern and southern edges of the park, though the fire never damaged any homes. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345 to the south of Birdsboro. The facilities include dining halls, central washhouses, and cabins for campers and staff. This caused the forest to become a "tinderbox," according to officials. The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Visitors to the park have three options for overnight accommodations. The common game species are pheasants, squirrels, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society, and an The forest fire caused the park's trails east of Rt. Reading Hospital6th Avenue and Spruce StreetWest Reading, PA 19611866-988-4377. Hunting is prohibited in Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The common game fish caught in the lake are muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, chain pickerel and largemouth, pan fish, and smallmouth bass. Pine Swamp is a Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the park office. [6], There is a permanent Orienteering course that begins and ends near the boat launch area.

The fire followed an unusual October ice and snowstorm that caused tree limb damage. [6], The lakes at French Creek State Park offer two varieties of fishing. Hunting at French Creek State Park. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. Hiking at French Creek State Park. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. Camping at French Creek State Park. before you leave the park and destroy any lanternflies you find. Those same habitats are homes to many animals and plants that are rare in this corner of the commonwealth. The fire was reported to have burned at least nine acres south of Miller's Point. The fire was officially declared extinguished on April 23, 2012, two weeks after the fire began. French Creek State Park is an Important Bird Area and Important Mammal Area as designated by the National Audubon Society and also has Pine Swamp, a State Park Natural Area. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Protect clean air, clean water, and public health and conserve working farms, forests, and natural lands.

Entrances are located on PA 345; south of Birdsboro and north of PA 23.GPS DD: Lat. Please enable scripts and reload this page.

[8][9], A forest fire was spotted in the park on April 1, 2016, almost four years after the previous fire and in the same approximate location. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These trees were cleared, beginning in 1771, and used to make charcoal to feed the iron furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. Please move to another parking space once your vehicle has been charged. Am I missing something? Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Ice Skating. A public firing range is located at the end of Laurel Road. Keystone State. The park naturalist leads walks and hikes, and gives evening talks and demonstrations, during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

35 miles of trails. Disc Golfing. Each cabin can sleep up to six with electric heat, a kitchen and private bathroom. The common game species are pheasants, squirrels, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883. [5], Hunting is permitted on over 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) of French Creek State Park. The thickly wooded hillsides that once provided a habitat for a wide variety of woodland creatures were stripped bare. Check the park activity schedule, bulletin boards, or at the park office for program times and locations. The fire burned approximately 750 acres, largely contained within the park. State Park Natural Area. French Creek State Park is a 7,526-acre (3,046 ha) Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Maps are available at the park office. This was the longest, largest, and most expensive fire operation in the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry's history. French Creek State Park is an They also began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace. Group camping, in cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is available to two separate locations. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which features a cold blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The state record smallmouth bass was caught in Scotts Run Lake. The course winds through the woods near Hopewell Lake and provides both short and long pin locations. That looks like a pretty small single field to hunt. All non powered and electric powered boats must have a current registration with any state or a launch permit for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

You may reach the park from PA 345 south of Birdsboro, north of PA 23, and from the Morgantown exits (1A and 1 B) of the PA Turnpike. The land was reclaimed by the efforts of the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps created during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to offset unemployment. DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Protect clean air, clean water, and public health and conserve working farms, forests, and natural lands. Sledding. Make I was told by a state park representative that pheasant stocking is done near the Hopewell Big Woods parking lot, by Center & Crusher roads. [10], The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of French Creek State Park:[11][12][13][14], Location of French Creek State Park in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, "PA DCNR Acquires 45-Acre Tract Adjoining French Creek State Park", "Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years", "Storms help tamp French Creek brush fire; crews keep watch", "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation", "Find a Park by Region (interactive map)", Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area, Carbon County Environmental Education Center, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Harrison Hills Park Environmental Education Center, Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College, US National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania, History of the National Register of Historic Places, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=French_Creek_State_Park&oldid=934368682, Park buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania, National Register of Historic Places in Berks County, Pennsylvania, National Register of Historic Places in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Civilian Conservation Corps in Pennsylvania, Protected areas of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Protected areas of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Articles with dead external links from January 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 January 2020, at 04:21. These game lands consist of more than 1,800 acres of land and add considerably to the public land available to the hunters of the area. Day use areas close at dusk. This invasive insect could cause serious harm to Pennsylvania’s resources, businesses, and economy. Both lakes are open to ice fishing, weather permitting. Large oak, poplar, hickory, maple, and beech trees cover much of the park, with a sparse understory of … Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council. This campground has a centrally located shower and toilet facility. The hunting of groundhogs is not permitted at the park. The hunting of groundhogs is not permitted at the park. More data on local Orienteering events can be found at http://www.dvoa.org, French Creek State Park has more than 30 miles (48 km) of trails that are open to hiking and in some places horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.[7]. I was also told by PGC that pheasant stocking is done in SGL 43, near the Horse Shoe Trail parking lot on Harmonyville Road. Approximately three miles southeast of the park is State Game Land 43, administered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road. Hunting. French Creek State Park was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of State Parks as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks". Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Organized groups such as scouts and schools may schedule activities by calling the park office. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Inspect your vehicle, camper, tent, gear, etc. Straddling the Schuylkill Highlands, the 7,730-acre park is the largest block of contiguous forest between Washington D.C. and New York City.

[3], The land in and surrounding French Creek State Park was once dominated by old-growth forests of American chestnut. The pool, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. [6], One disc golf course is open year-round at the park. The combination of habitats at French Creek offers a variety of hunting opportunities. Warning: The spotted lanternfly has invaded our area.

Orienteering events are held at the park by the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association about 3 times a year. Bait & tackle are available for sale near the rest rooms by the boat launch at Hopewell Lake. A two-plug, electric-vehicle charging station is available for public use in the park office overflow parking area. A pool at nearby Hopewell Lake is open daily from 11:00am until 7:00pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There are extensive forests, and almost 40 miles (64 km) of hiking and equestrian trails. Horse Riding. The forests were allowed to regrow and were cleared again approximately every twenty-five years. 40.19824 Long. Important Mammal Area as designated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The park office is open specific hours. Ten modern cabins are available to rent. Help us stop the spread of these unwelcome hitchhikers.

The damage caused by the colliers had a long-lasting effect on the ecology of this section of southeastern Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Penn State Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly website, DCNR Reminds Potential State Park Visitors of Possible Crowding This Holiday Weekend at Many Parks Throughout Pennsylvania, DCNR Extending Closure of State Park and Forest Facilities Statewide, Open Spaces will Remain Accessible as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts, DCNR Closing State Park and Forest Facilities Statewide, Open Spaces will Remain Accessible as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts, Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council.