Black Moshannon State Park

Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands that provide recreational opportunities for thousands of visitors. The park conserves unique, natural environments and is in Centre County on PA 504, nine miles east of Philipsburg. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting. According to local tradition, American Indians called this watershed “Moss-Hanne,” meaning “moose stream,” thus the origin of the park’s name. Appropriately, the “black” in the park name describes the tea-colored waters. The 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake is fed by clear springs and small streams which flow through the bogs that stretch in most directions from its shores. As the clear water flows through sphagnum moss and other wetland plants, it becomes colored by plant tannins. In a sense, the bog vegetation acts like a giant teabag to color the water.

Black Moshannon State Park is featured in a 30-minute video created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Cable Network, which is available for purchase at their Web site. www.pcntv.com/stateparks.html

Explore

Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Stay the Night  - Trails  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Environmental Education  - Accessibility  - Calendar of Events  - Wildlife  - History  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

From South and Southeast: Take US 322 west, then Exit 68 west of State College. Stay right and continue 6 miles. Take ramp on right to Alt. US 220 north for 5 miles. Turn left at park sign in village of Julian to take Beaver Road for 8 miles to the park. From Northeast: Take I-80 west to Milesburg Exit 158, then Alt. US 220 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto PA 504 west for 12 miles to the park.

From Northwest: Take I-80 east to Kylertown Exit 133. Turn left onto PA 53 for 0.8 miles (through traffic light). At the park sign, turn right onto Windburne Road. 9 miles to the park.

From Southwest: From Philipsburg, follow US 322 east. Turn left onto PA 504 and travel 8 miles to the park.

From South: Take I-99 north to exit at Port Matilda. Turn right at end of ramp. In 1/2 mile, turn left at traffic light, then 8 miles on Alt. US 220 (Eagle Valley Road). Turn left at park sign in village of Julian to take Beaver Road 8 miles to park.

DD: 40.91207 N 78.05666 W

On the Downloadables and Maps page is a directions map.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Mountain Biking  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Cross-country Skiing  - Snowmobiling  - Ice Fishing  - Ice Skating  - Iceboating  - Organized Group Tenting  - Cabins  - Camping

Boating: The 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake has 90 mooring spaces and three boat launch areas. Boat rentals are available in the summer season. Boating Area 1 is ADA accessible.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania,visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Picnicking: There are 250 picnic tables provided in four picnic areas. Eight picnic pavilions, some with electricity, may be reserved for a fee, or when unreserved, may be used on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. ADA accessible pavilions and tables are available.

Make a reservation

Mountain Biking: Sleepy Hollow and Star Mill Trails offer convenient, short loops to bikers. Snowmobile Trail provides access to additional trails on state forest land for mountain bikes. State forest roads (unpaved) are also open to biking. Ski Slope Trail provides a challenge to mountain bikers. Biking is prohibited on other park trails.

Fishing: The 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake provides habitat for warm water fishing. Below the lake, Black Moshannon Creek contains trout. Trout anglers can enjoy their sport in several nearby streams, especially Six Mile Run. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations apply. A Delayed Harvest – Artificial Lures Only area is designated on 1.3 miles of Black Moshannon Creek from Dry Hollow downstream to 0.3 miles downstream of the Huckleberry Road bridge. An ADA accessible fishing pier is on the western shore of the lake. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Hunting and Firearms: Over 3,000 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs from the day after Labor Day through March 31. Common game species are deer, wild turkey, bear, grouse and squirrel. Adjacent state forest land is also open for public hunting.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Trails: A 16-mile trail network invites you to explore. Explore trails for detailed descriptions of the trails.

Swimming: An ADA accessible sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.

Concession: An ADA accessible boat rental, a park store and a refreshment stand provide services to park visitors.

Stay the Night

Camping: The 74 campsites each have a picnic table and a fire ring. Most can accommodate either a tent or a trailer. The area features a sanitary dump station and washhouses with flush toilets, showers and coin-operated laundry machines. Most sites have electrical hookups. The camping season begins the second Friday in April and ends after deer season in late December. Some campsites are ADA accessible. Pets are permitted on designated sites.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation

Cabins: From the second Friday in April until the end of deer season in late December, the park rents 13 rustic cabins. The cabins have minimal furnishings, kitchen stove, refrigerator, electric lights, a wood-burning stove and bunk beds. Six modern cabins are available year-round, complete with electric heat, bedrooms, living/dining room, kitchen and bath. Renters must supply their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots, pans and dinnerware. Cabins are available for weekly rental in summer and on a daily basis during other seasons. An ADA accessible cabin is available. Explore the cabin map. Explore cabins for more information. Make a reservation

Organized Group Tenting: Adult or youth groups of up to 60 people may reserve the rustic group tenting area, which has modern restrooms.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

Enjoy the Winter

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Cross-Country Skiing: All trails are open to cross-country skiers. Trails marked with the cross-country skier symbol on the map are recommended.

Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use Benner Run Road, Snowmobile Trail and designated trails in the state forest after the end of deer season in late December. The Black Moshannon Snowmobile Club partners with the park.

Ice Skating: When conditions allow, an area of the lake is maintained for skating by Boating Area 1.

Ice Fishing: Except for the ice skating area, all of the 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake is open for ice fishing. Popular species caught through the ice are yellow perch, bluegill, northern pike, crappie and largemouth bass.

Iceboating: Most of the lake is open for iceboating. A state park launch permit is required for iceboats.

Use extreme caution when venturing onto the ice. Check with the park office to determine ice conditions in the skating area. Other areas of the lake are not monitored.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Families, individuals, schools and special request groups participate in the park’s environmental interpretive program. Bog walks and stream studies provide understanding of aquatic ecosystems, wetlands and human influences. Obtain program schedules at the park office.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

Access for People with Disabilities

ADA accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated throughout the park. ADA accessible restrooms are located at the campground, cabins, and the beach and food concessions areas. Access to the beach, campsites, cabins, Bog Trail and drinking fountains is available.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteer opportunities abound at Black Moshannon. If youve got an itch to be outdoors and doing something constructive, then please give us a call. We have needs in areas such as: Gardening (spring, summer, fall); Landscaping (spring, fall); Painting (spring, summer, fall); Litter Removal (all ages, spring, summer, fall); Wood Duck Box Monitor (spring, summer); Trail Projects (spring, summer fall); Special Skills - Photography, Historical Research, Artwork, Computer; Simple Construction - fencing, bat houses, bike racks, path lighting, Osprey nest box; Environmental Education and Interpretation - Activity Leaders (spring, fall), Guest Program Presenters (summer), Environmental Learning Center (ELC Bldg.) weekend volunteer; exhibit repair and/or construction. Special events like Earth Day, Annual Summer Festival, Lumber Day, Public Lands Care Day, and Winter Festival. Volunteers play a critical role in maintaining all the areas that need that personal touch. Give us a call and come on out to Black Moshannon State Park.

Explore for more information on volunteering for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau. www.centralpacvb.org

Explore Pennsylvania Wilds

Pennsylvania Wilds is two million acres of public lands for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting and exploration in northcentral Pennsylvania. Within the twelve-county region are: 29 state parks, eight state forest districts (1.3 million acres); 50 state game lands and Allegheny National Forest (500,000 acres). www.pawilds.com/index.aspx

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Mount Nittany Medical Center
1800 East Park Avenue
State College, PA 16803
814-231-7000

For More Information Contact

Black Moshannon State Park
4216 Beaver Road
Philipsburg, PA 16866-9519
814-342-5960
Manager: Jessica Doxsey

E-mail: blackmoshannonsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.