Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Park is located within Moshannon State Forest and about a 35 minute drive from State College, Pennsylvania. It covers 3,394 acres of forest and wetlands. Black Moshannon is known for spectacular marshes, bogs, and swamps. Black Moshannon Lake is fed by clear springs and small streams that flow though bogs before entering the lake. The tannins from these bogs, give the water its blackish color.
Feature Summary
- Official website: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BlackMoshannonStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
- Campsites: 73 Campsites, 13 Rustic cabins, 7 Modern cabins, 2 Deluxe cottages
- Firewood availability: Available at the concession area seasonally
- Bath Facilities: Modern restrooms, showers, coin operated laundry, wash sink for dishes
- Pavilions: 8 Pavilions
- Hiking: 24 miles of trails
- Other Activities: Swimming, fishing, boating, hunting, mountain biking, cross country skiing
- Cellphone reception: Generally non-existent in the park
- Dates we visited: 7/2020, 8/2021, 6/2022, 9/2023
Camping
Camping at Black Moshannon is great. The park has so much to offer. We have camped on a variety of sites within the park. Most of the gravel pads are generally level so it is generally pretty easy to level the camper. The sites vary from heavy shade to nearly full sun. Be sure to check the educational programs put on by the park naturalist each weekend.
Hiking
Black Moshannon has 24 miles of hiking within the park. Here are some of the hikes we have been on at Black Moshannon,
Blueberry Trail (1 mi loop, easiest): Parking is located at the Midstate Airport. The Blueberry Trail is a short trial through the Moshannon bog areas. The trail features wild blueberries and abundant wildlife. The trailhead is well marked. It is a nice easy family loop trail. The loop ends a the airport road and you walk back to the parking lot. There is a nice mowed shoulder to walk and the road is not busy. This is a winner trail!
Bog Trail (0.5 mi loop, ADA for 0.3mi) Parking is located at boat launch 3. The Bog Trail is a boardwalk trail through the wetland area of Moshannon Lake. On the trail you can see waterfowl, turtles, carnivorous plants, sedges, blueberries, lilies, and rushes. It is full sun so can be very hot in the afternoon. It is a good early morning or evening hike.
Lake Loop Trail (0.7 mi, easiest): The Lake Loop Trail is a flat loop trail for an easy walk along the lake's northern shoreline. It is a good trail to get to the beach or the environmental education center. A beaver lodge is located along the west side of the lake loop. Pets are not allowed on the beach. You can get to the lake loop trail from the campground using the Tent Hill Trail at site 22 or from the stairs at site 70.
Sleepy Hollow Trail (1.2 mi loop, more difficult): The trail starts near Pavilion 1. The Sleepy Hollow Trail is a loop through cherry, oak, and a hemlock-birch forest. It is a nice easy trail with lots to see. It ends with a nice creek hike.
Star Mill Trail (2.1 mi loop, easiest): The Star Mill Trail is a loop trail that travels through pines, beach, hemlock, and balsam fir. Part of the trail follows the lake. It is a good family hike since it is fairly level but might get boring for some kids since the plant life is not very diverse in the area of the hike not near the lake. It is an easy 2 mile hike.
Tent Hill Trail (0.2 mi, more difficult): The tent hill trail connects the campground to the Lake Loop Trail. It starts by site 22 in the campground. It is a bit rocky and hilly but not bad.
Canoeing/Kayaking/Fishing
Black Moshannon Lake south of PA 504 is open to canoeing and kayaking. There are 4 boat launches available at the 250 acre lake. The southern portion of the lake is typically covered in lily pads. Large mouth bass, pickerel, bluegill, sun perch, crappie, and catfish may be caught in the lake.
