French Creek State Park
Encyclopedia
French Creek State Park is a 7526 acres (3,045.7 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. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek
. The park is the home of two lakes: Hopewell Lake, a 68 acres (27.5 ha) warm water lake, and Scotts Run Lake, a 22 acres (8.9 ha) cold water lake. The state record smallmouth bass
was caught in Scotts Run Lake. There are extensive forests, and almost 40 miles (64.4 km) of hiking
and equestrian
trails. The park is also friendly to mountain bike
rs, having some renowned technical trails. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
, which features a cold blast
furnace
restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345
to the south of Birdsboro
.
. These trees were cleared, beginning in 1771, and used to make charcoal
to feed the iron furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. The forests were allowed to regrow and were cleared again approximately every twenty-five years. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883. The damage caused by the colliers had a long-lasting effect on the ecology
of this section of southeastern Pennsylvania. The thickly wooded hillsides that once provided a habitat
for a wide variety of woodland creatures were stripped bare. But the forest slowly began to grow back.
The second growth forest
s that stand today at French Creek State Park are made up of a mixture of oak
, maple
and other mostly hardwood trees. 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. The CCC worked to clear the forests and streams of brush. They also built many of the facilities still in use today at the park, including several tent camping
areas, two small dam
s and lakes, two group camps, picnic areas, and extensive roads and trails throughout the park. They also began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace.
. The common game species are pheasant
s, squirrels
, turkey
s, white-tailed deer
, and rabbits
. The hunting of groundhog
s is not permitted at the park.
The lakes at French Creek State Park offer two varieties of fishing. Scotts Run Lake is a cold water fishery. It is stocked
with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
. Hopewell Lake is a warm water fishery. The common game fish caught in the lake are muskellunge
, walleye
, northern pike
, chain pickerel
and largemouth
, pan fish, and smallmouth bass. Both lakes are open to ice fishing
, weather permitting. Bait & tackle are available for sale near the rest rooms by the boat launch at Hopewell Lake
The lakes are not open to swimming. A pool at nearby Hopewell Lake is open daily from 11:00am until 7:00pm from Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day
weekend.
course is open year round at the park. The course winds through the woods near Hopewell Lake and provides both short and long pin locations. Score cards and maps of the course are available at the park.
French Creek State Park is considered by some as the "Orienteering
Capital of North America". A permanent course is set up at the park. The goal is to find markers within the park by using a map
and a compass
. Maps are available at the park office.
.
Warwick Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Warwick Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,507 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
Townships in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
and Robeson and Union
Union Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Union Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,453 at the 2000 census.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,453 people, 1,324 households, and 1,035 families residing in the township. The population density was 148.9 people per square...
Townships in Berks County
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek
French Creek (Schuylkill River)
French Creek, once known as Saukanac Creek, is a tributary of the Schuylkill River in Berks and Chester counties, Pennsylvania in the United States.French Creek travels through French Creek State Park and joins the Schuylkill in Phoenixville...
. The park is the home of two lakes: Hopewell Lake, a 68 acres (27.5 ha) warm water lake, and Scotts Run Lake, a 22 acres (8.9 ha) cold water lake. The state record smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
was caught in Scotts Run Lake. There are extensive forests, and almost 40 miles (64.4 km) of hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
trails. The park is also friendly to mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
rs, having some renowned technical trails. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Berks County, near Elverson, Pennsylvania, is an example of an American 19th century rural "iron plantation"...
, which features a cold blast
Cold blast
Cold blast, in ironmaking, refers to a furnace where air is not preheated before being blown into the furnace. This represents the earliest stage in the development of ironmaking...
furnace
Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a type of metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally iron.In a blast furnace, fuel and ore and flux are continuously supplied through the top of the furnace, while air is blown into the bottom of the chamber, so that the chemical reactions...
restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345
Pennsylvania Route 345
Pennsylvania Route 345 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route runs from Pennsylvania Route 82 in West Nantmeal Township, Chester County north to U.S. Route 422 in Birdsboro, Berks County.-Route description:...
to the south of Birdsboro
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Birdsboro is a borough along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today.-History:...
.
History
The land in and surrounding French Creek State Park was once dominated by old-growth forests of American chestnutAmerican Chestnut
The American Chestnut is a large, deciduous tree of the beech family native to eastern North America. Before the species was devastated by the chestnut blight, a fungal disease, it was one of the most important forest trees throughout its range...
. These trees were cleared, beginning in 1771, and used to make charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
to feed the iron furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. The forests were allowed to regrow and were cleared again approximately every twenty-five years. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883. The damage caused by the colliers had a long-lasting effect on the ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
of this section of southeastern Pennsylvania. The thickly wooded hillsides that once provided a habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
for a wide variety of woodland creatures were stripped bare. But the forest slowly began to grow back.
The second growth forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
s that stand today at French Creek State Park are made up of a mixture of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
and other mostly hardwood trees. The land was reclaimed by the efforts of the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
created during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to offset unemployment. The CCC worked to clear the forests and streams of brush. They also built many of the facilities still in use today at the park, including several tent camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
areas, two small dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s and lakes, two group camps, picnic areas, and extensive roads and trails throughout the park. They also began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace.
Hunting and fishing
Hunting is permitted on over 6000 acres (2,428.1 ha) of French Creek State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game CommissionPennsylvania Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States...
. The common game species are pheasant
Common Pheasant
The Common Pheasant , is a bird in the pheasant family . It is native to Georgia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe , it is simply known as the "pheasant"...
s, squirrels
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada...
, turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
s, white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, and rabbits
Eastern Cottontail
The eastern cottontail is a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. It is one of the most common rabbit species in North America.-Distribution:...
. The hunting of groundhog
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
s is not permitted at the park.
The lakes at French Creek State Park offer two varieties of fishing. Scotts Run Lake is a cold water fishery. It is stocked
Fish stocking
Fish stocking is the practice of raising fish in a hatchery and releasing them into a river, lake, or the ocean to supplement existing populations, or to create a population where none exists...
with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the state agency responsible for the regulation of all fishing and boating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
. Hopewell Lake is a warm water fishery. The common game fish caught in the lake are muskellunge
Muskellunge
A muskellunge , also known as a muskelunge, muscallonge, milliganong, or maskinonge , is a large, relatively uncommon freshwater fish of North America. Muskellunge are the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae...
, walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
, chain pickerel
Chain pickerel
The chain pickerel, Esox niger , is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the american pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pikes.-Range:...
and largemouth
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, pan fish, and smallmouth bass. Both lakes are open to ice fishing
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
, weather permitting. Bait & tackle are available for sale near the rest rooms by the boat launch at Hopewell Lake
Boating and swimming
Gas powered boats are prohibited in the lakes of French Creek State Park. 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.The lakes are not open to swimming. A pool at nearby Hopewell Lake is open daily from 11:00am until 7:00pm from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend through Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend.
Disc golf and orienteering
One disc golfDisc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
course is open year round at the park. The course winds through the woods near Hopewell Lake and provides both short and long pin locations. Score cards and maps of the course are available at the park.
French Creek State Park is considered by some as the "Orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
Capital of North America". A permanent course is set up at the park. The goal is to find markers within the park by using a map
Map
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
and a compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
. Maps are available at the park office.
Trails
French Creek State Park has more than 30 miles (48.3 km) of trails that are open to hiking and in some places horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiingCross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
- Boone Trail is a 6 miles (9.7 km) "moderate" hiking trail that is marked with blue blazes. This trail makes a loop through the park. It is closed to mountain biking in the vicinity of Hopewell Lake.
- Buzzards Trail is a 3 miles (4.8 km) "moderate" hiking trail. This trail follows the banks of Baptism Creek.
- Horse Shoe TrailHorse Shoe TrailThe Horse Shoe Trail is a trail that runs from the western edge of Valley Forge National Historical Park westward toward Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where it ends at the Appalachian Trail....
is a 130 miles (209.2 km) hiking and horseback trail that passes through French Creek State Park. 8 miles (12.9 km) of the trail are in the park. Horseshoe Trail begins at Valley Forge National Historic Park and ends at the Appalachian TrailAppalachian TrailThe Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
near HarrisburgHarrisburg, PennsylvaniaHarrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
.
- Kalmia Trail is a 1 miles (1.6 km) "moderate" hiking trail. The trail passes through a mature forest that is scattered with mountain laurelKalmia latifoliaKalmia latifolia, commonly called Mountain-laurel or Spoonwood, is a species of flowering plant in the blueberry family, Ericaceae, that is native to the eastern United States. Its range stretches from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana. Mountain-laurel is...
(Kalmia latifolia).
- Lenape Trail, named for the Lenape tribe that once inhabited the area, is a 5.5 miles (8.9 km) "moderate" hiking trail. It is also a loop trail.
- Mill Creek Trail is a 6 miles (9.7 km) "difficult" trail. The trailhead is at Pennsylvania Route 345 and Shed Road. It is a backcountry trail and does not cross any other paved roads.
- Raccoon Trail is a 1.7 miles (2.7 km) "moderate" trail. It connects Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site with French Creek State Park.
- Six Penny Trail is a 3 miles (4.8 km) "moderate" hiking trail. It is a loop trail, set off in the woods and is connected to the campground contact station by a short connector trail.
- Turtle Trail is a 3.6 miles (5.8 km) trail that follows the western portions of French Creek.
Staying overnight
Visitors to the park have three options for overnight accommodations. There are 201 wooded and modern sites for tents or campers. This campground has a centrally located shower and toilet facility. Ten modern cabins are available to rent. Each cabin can sleep up to six with electric heat, a kitchen and private bathroom. Group camping, in cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is available to two separate locations. The facilities include dining halls, central washhouses, and cabins for campers and staff.Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48.3 km) of French Creek State Park:- Evansburg State ParkEvansburg State ParkEvansburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Lower Providence, Lower Salford, Skippack, Towamencin, and Worcester Townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park has a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, old fields, and farmland...
(Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, PennsylvaniaMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
) - Fort Washington State ParkFort Washington State ParkFort Washington State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is noted for the springtime flowering of dogwood trees, and is popular with families for picnics and hiking...
(Montgomery County) - Marsh Creek State ParkMarsh Creek State ParkMarsh Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the location of the man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet , the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating...
(Chester County) - Nolde Forest Environmental Education CenterNolde Forest Environmental Education CenterNolde Forest Environmental Educational Center is a Pennsylvania state park in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Programs are offered for youth and adult groups, school groups, and individuals. The center grounds provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and...
(Berks County) - Norristown Farm ParkNorristown Farm ParkNorristown Farm Park is a Pennsylvania state park in East Norriton and West Norriton Townships and the Borough of Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is operated in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Parks. The park is a working farm on the site...
(Montgomery County) - Ridley Creek State ParkRidley Creek State ParkRidley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence Townships, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park, about north of the county seat of Media, offers many recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking....
(Delaware CountyDelaware County, PennsylvaniaDelaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
)