Chester County · outdoor
French Creek State Park
One of the most underused big parks in Chester County. 7,730 acres with 35+ miles of trails, a pool at Hopewell Lake, disc golf, fishing, and a nature center with seasonal programs. The pool admission is $13/person which is hard to beat for a full day outdoors. Download trail maps before you arrive — cell service is unreliable.
Updated 2026-05-24 · Kid Friendly Chesco editors
French Creek is one of the largest state parks in southeastern Pennsylvania and gets a fraction of the attention Marsh Creek does. The 35+ miles of trails range from easy loops to serious hikes, and the park's size means you genuinely feel remote even though you're in Chester County. The pool at Hopewell Lake runs through Labor Day — $13 per person, with a dedicated shallow area for small swimmers. Disc golf course is free and a surprisingly fun add-on for older kids. If you're considering an overnight, camping and cabin rentals are available via 888-PA-PARKS.
- Address
- 843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520
- Hours
- Grounds open daily 8a–dusk. Pool open Memorial Day–Labor Day, Mon 11a–5:45p, Wed–Fri 11a–5:45p, Sat–Sun 11a–6:45p (closed Tuesdays).
- Parking
- Multiple lots throughout the park. Free to enter the grounds; pool has a separate $13/person admission. Main lot near the visitor center is the best starting point.
- Crowds
- Far less crowded than Marsh Creek despite being larger. The trails in particular feel genuinely wild — you can go an hour without seeing another person. Pool gets busy on hot summer weekends.
- Good for
- Toddlers, Preschool, Kids, Tweens, Teens
- Type
- outdoor
- Price
- $$$$
- Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Tags
- swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, disc-golf, nature-programs, bathrooms, leashed-dogs-ok
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