Black Moshannon State Park

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trails: A 16-mile trail network invites you to explore.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.