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Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands and conserves unique, natural environments. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting that provides recreational opportunities in all seasons for camping near State College.
The 73 campsites each have a picnic table and a fire ring. Most sites can accommodate either a tent or a trailer. Many sites have electrical hookups. Some sites have full service hook up, which includes sewer, water, and electricity.Pets are permitted on designated sites.
The campground features:
-Washhouses with flush toilets
-Showers
-Coin-operated laundry machines
-Sanitary dump station
$30 / night
There are numerous designated primitive campsites without developed facilities within Moshannon State Forest that can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers are required to obtain a camping permit at no charge.
For information about campsite availability in Moshannon State Forest and to request a permit, please contact the district office at 814-765-0821.
Primitive backpack camping also is allowed throughout the entire forest. Backpack campers do not need a permit if they stay no more than one night at any campsite.
Primitive backpack campers should register at any trailhead near a state park office.
Roadside campsites are singular, remote sites located along dirt and gravel state forest roads. They may be pull offs or have a short driveway. These sites allow for overnight camping in or very near a vehicle. Depending on layout, the sites may accommodate different types of equipment such as tents, small RVs, or trailers. Some sites are also appropriate for equestrian use. Nineteen designated motorized, roadside campsites are available in Moshannon State Forest:
$10 / night
$33 / night
Guide
Beautiful facility- typical Pa mountains, abundant green trees, water...nice Campground AND cabin rentals are really nicely situated. Water was thick with weeds & lilies but ok nonetheless. Great day trip spot.
RangerUPDATED reviews for rustic and modern cabins.
March 2020, Modern Cabins: Before COVID-19 hit PA we stayed in one of the modern cabins. Wow...everything was seemingly quite new and it was extremely comfortable. Nice bathrooms, nice kitchen, etc. One of the best things about Black Mo is how isolated it feels and it's never crowded in the off-months. The Moss Hanne is still a thrilling trail even in the winter months and there's been a lot of beaver activity since we last visited including a very impressive dam.
October 2019, Rustic Cabins: We stayed in one of the rustic cabins on a cold October weekend. Very charming small cabins with robust woodstoves. Although we probably could have been more careful, there were unfortunately some very bothersome mice who kept us awake each night...and were seemingly not very afraid of us! The construction of the rustic cabins is such that there probably isn't much you can do about mice getting in. If this doesn't bother you, these cabins are really cute and cozy.
July 2019, Tent Camping: As far as camping goes, the loop area is a bit cramped for my taste, but if that doesn't bother you it's fine. Clean bathhouse and convenient outdoor sink for washing up after dinner. Overall one of the best PA parks and well maintained.
I really have to address some of these other reviews, though:
"Water was thick with weeds& lilies but ok nonetheless." Wow! Pitcher plants, sundews and water lilies are not "weeds." They are unique to bog environments and don't grow in other places. The vegetation in the lake is what makes Black Mo black, so picturesque and unlike other PA parks!
"The overall area has nothing to do. And I mean NOTHING. We drove 45 minutes to Altoona to see the famous Horseshoe Curve but there’s literally nothing else around for miles and miles. Not even an ice cream stand, or not one we could find. And, since there’s no cell service, we couldn’t figure out any options either." Like many state parks in this part of the world there is no cell service, so you need to bring a real map (Purple Lizard) and look a few things up on the internet ahead of time. Black Mo is literally ten minutes from Philipsburg where there is surely an ice cream stand, 25 minutes from State College, which has tons of touristy offerings…I could go on but really this is laughable.
LegendGeneral: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon).
Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site.
Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails.
I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.
Legend
This park is a little different and has some fairly interesting history. There are some old ruins as well as an old quarry site. The grounds are open to hunting and we were surprised by a bird hunter and his dog who was running around off leash, creating a little havoc for us while walking our two dogs on the trail. If you visit in the fall, be sure to bring some hunter orange if you plan on exploring the trails.
Now onto the cabins- these are quite nice! They have nice bathrooms with hot showers, a common area with a lot of furniture, a kitchen with large table and full sized appliances. The cabin we stayed in was pet friendly and had two rooms, one with a full size bed and a second one with 2 sets of bunk beds. The heat was quite efficient and kept us warm on some cold nights.
These cabins are not equipped with any type of consumables, cookware or linens. You really need to bring everything if you're planning on actually using the bathroom or kitchen. There is toilet paper though :) We chose to stay here due to its proximity to several National Park sites in the area and it was perfect for us! We will be visiting another state park with similar cabins next year, too!
Guide
the Park Manager held a 12 hour mountain bike race from the park. The first year we camped in tents and the second year of the race we had the one and only cabin in the park. It was beautiful.
Our first night we had a couple hundred pound bear climb the tree outside of the cabin. Park personnel came around and monitored the bear until it came down and left. It was spectacular!!!
If you like small quiet get always with the thrill of seeing wildlife then this is the place for you!
RangerWe stayed at one of the cabins before COVID-19 hit PA and shut down all the parks. The main part of the park has a nice little lake and we saw herons during our visit. At night there was fairly decent stargazing despite its proximity to Altoona's light pollution.
There's an easy disc golf course, which was a nice little amenity.
Several interesting hiking trails and the often-photographed limestone kilns are cool to see.
The cabin itself was overall very nice, but the bathroom was surprisingly run down.
I would imagine this is a very nice park in the summer, greener months.
Guide
For a state park it is very nice. Lots of campsites and cabins. Pool was down so kids were a little upset but there was other stuff for them to do.
Scout
Actually I am a work camper, have worked here for 11 seasons. Nice Sites, both RV and tent as well as cabins. I know my opinion is biased, but I keep coming back because it is so great
GuideMy family and I stayed here one night during a motorcycle trip. We rented 1 of the cabins they have on the property and it was great all of us fit comfortably we were able to have a campfire out front and sit at a picnic table. They have a nice little store there's trails you can hike to beautiful area and a great place to camp.
GuideWe come here every year for a family reunion and always rent one of the cabins. We love coming here. The park is huge and there are lots of things to do. You can go to the beach, kayak, hike, or go outside the park to explore some caves or a bat church. We will continue to come here every year!
Guide
Petticoat Junction campground is nestled in the PA Grand Canyon with Pine Creek on one side and the Rails to Trails on the other of the campground. This ideal location provides a nice tranquil environment with opportunities for active adventures. It had been several years since our last stay at PJC, but the new owners have done amazing improvements and upgrades to many areas of the campground which are greatly appreciated. Everyone we interacted with(owners/employees) were friendly and gave us the feeling that they were glad we chose to stay with them.
There are a variety of camping options from season sites, primitive sites, cabins, glamping tents, and RV hook-ups for water and electric(along the creek). We stated in one of the water/electric hook-up sites along the creek, which was wonderful. Very flat and larger than average in size, which was nice not being on top of your neighbor. Water pressure was very good and the WIFI signal was better than many campgrounds we have stayed.
The location of PJC is perfect for fishing, floating/kayaking, and biking/hiking the rails to trail. There are many nearby hikes throughout the canyon for the more adventures travelers. The office has biking/tubing/boating rentals for its campers. Additionally the firewood for sale is priced well and is very good quality, not the cheap smoky pine found in most places. If you need a break from civilization to reset and relax, I highly recommend PJC!
Scout
The campground is run by a family who is super nice. The cabins and the bathhouses were extremely clean. I stayed on a full hookup site that had water/electric/ sewer. The sites have Picnic tables and fire rings that are cleaned out.
The campground was really close to Cherry Springs, where we could go stargazing! It is also close to Lyman Lake where we could go swimming and kayaking and fishing.
I had an amazing time here and I already have other reservations because it was great for big families!
There is also a huge ATV trail right across the road that my neighbors rode at all day!
Ranger
We stayed in site 6. It was a very small site and had no established spot to put our tent so we actually had to encroach on site 7, luckily no one was there the entire time we were because that would have been awkward - we were literally 3 feet from their fire ring. Everywhere else was unlevel/uneven/rocky/rooty/muddy/etc. They should put in tent pads. The bathrooms were small but clean with flush toilets. No showers. The interstate is somewhat noisy as it's only a few miles away but not too terrible. We really liked the vintage vibe the park had. The park is small with not much in regard to activities/amenitites but nice for just a laidback/relaxed camping trip. We enjoyed just walking around the cabin loop and back roads. There is wood for sale at the maitenance barn for $5 a bundle self serve honor system. Parker Dam is closeby with more to do and a store.
Traveler
Stayed for 5 nights with a partial hook up for our brand new 32 foot travel trailer. Other reviewers had mentioned that sites were small, so we specifically asked for a larger site. We ended up getting a corner site right on the edge of a hill looking down on the main office and playground. It was perfect. Playground was huge with multiple playsets suitable for all ages. Bathrooms/showers we're clean and well kept. There was a basketball court, shuffleboard and carpet pool that you could borrow equipment for. Our son and his family rented a wolf den cabin and it was very clean as well. Internet access was spotty, as expected but WiFi at the main office was good. We enjoyed the small, but very clean pool. Would definitely go back. Pet friendly, but there isn't a dog park/off leash area. Staff were friendly and helpful. Right across the street from little pine state park.
Scout
Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. Bmx track for kids.
Ranger
We stayed at site 78 on the Sycamore loop at the end of April in a tent, which isn't the best equipment for this campground. Our site had a blacktop driveway, a very small amount of gravel, and a ton of mud. There was standing water toward the back of our site, and no really solid place to pitch our tent.
It was very windy the night we stayed and the following morning was as well. Because our tent stakes were anchored in mud, our tent blew over and collapsed. Our neighbor's tent did as well.
With the exception of our neighbors, we were the only tents in the loop (the other sites had RVs, and there are 2 cabins and 2 yurts on the loop as well). Firewood is for sale at the camp host site. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are delightfully warm.
The sites are flat and open. There is a lack of trees, so no real wind break. Each site has a fire ring and a hook to hang food from small animals.
If the primitive sites weren't all booked out (it was the first day of turkey season) we would've stayed there. I'd give this place another chance, but only if we can snag a site at the primitive campground.
GuideGreat little campground nestled in Penns woods! Camp store for the forgetful, beach, kayaking rentals, hiking trails and between 12 & 15 miles of mountain biking trails all right from the campground. Sites are spacious with enough privacy. Two modern bathhouses trimmed out in tile.
TravelerI grew up near this park so I’m a little used to it, however, it’s perfect for families. Good trails, kayak rentals, and a private beach for the campgrounds make it a nice vacation spot. I had a good time.
Traveler
Beautiful area all around. Up the road is cherry springs, known as our only Dark Sky Park in PA. The night sky is amazing. There is a lake to do many activities, and a beach there. ATV trails, hiking, beautiful overlooks. No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything.
GuideWe decided to go mid October due to a new moon and a trip to Cherry Springs to see the stars! Ole Bull was just a short drive from Cherry Springs and they had everything we needed except the firewood they said they sold. This was ok though because there was a lovely couple down the road that sold wood cheaper and the first time we went they were all out but they ended up delivering the wood to us at our campsite! We went hiking and although it was cold it really was the perfect get away!
LegendWe stayed here over a weekend and the campground was packed because there was a Penn State football game. Once the weekend was over, the park cleared out and it felt like there was more space and it was much quieter. Our site was the only one available for that weekend and it was a premium with a large paved patio with a nice outdoor patio set with table and chairs, a swing, and a sunken fire pit. We loved this deluxe site but they are a lot pricier than the standard ones.
The park is fairly small but has some really nice sites. There are 91 RV sites to choose from as well as tent sites, cabins, and “lodges.” Some are pull-thru and back-in sites ranging from full hookup deluxe, full hookup 50A, full hookup 30A, and water/30A only. The campground is built on a hill and sites are terraced. Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV’s scraping bottom. The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private. Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers. Some sites are not level at all and others are sloped such that you have to pull all the way forward into your site to get level.
Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There are about 45 cable channels. Satellite reception at some sites would be difficult as trees would interfere. There is free Wi-Fi at each site which worked well at our site (#32). Amenities include a covered pavilion, off-leash dog park, camp store, swimming pool, playground, basketball/volleyball courts, and fishing pond. We were there during the off-season but apparently there is lots going on in the summer with hayrides, treasure hunts, Sunday morning pancakes, and a splash pad.
This KOA is close to historic sites, Amish markets, Penn State and a couple of state parks. For outdoor adventure, visit and hike Bald Eagle and Black Moshannon State Parks. Black Moshannon has great trails and a wonderful lake to kayak. The creamery on Penn States campus is delicious. Visit Mt Nittany or other wineries which have pretty good wine. Overall, it was a good place to stop and generally we liked the park. The price listed above was for a deluxe full hookup site (which included a paved patio, sunken fire pit, patio furniture, and a swing) and not a standard site.
TravelerWe camped here and loved it. It's one of the most peaceful campgrounds we have stayed at. The only sounds at night is the wildlife moving about the woods. We saw our first porcupine in it's natural habitat! Plenty of wildlife to be seen both during the day and night.
The bathrooms are very well kept and the rangers are very friendly. Just be sure to stop in the office to check in for your site. Not all state parks require this. The 2 campground loops are small with nice sites. We stayed on sites 1 & 2 which both faced the woods. Even though we were at the entrance to the campground there wasn't much traffic to be bothersome.
We enjoyed the lake for swimming and kayaking. Be sure to have cash for the boat rental and snack bar. They do except cards but your card is ran through the Fox's pizza in town which I wasn't fond of that idea.
We are looking forward to visiting again!
RangerWhile I understand that Memorial Day is a very busy camping weekend, I was hoping that due to the coronavirus that this spot would be less crowded given the restrictions in place. Our loop had approximately 50 sites with roughly 200 people on it, minimum. The concept of social distancing here is a joke and the only evidence of there being a pandemic was the sign in the bathroom that stated to stay 6 feet apart and masks being a requirement in all park buildings… with no enforcement whatsoever. That said, sites are on the small side with a fire ring and a picnic table. All vehicles MUST back into the parking spaces, and all parking spots are blacktop. There is a camp store and a bundle of decent hardwood will cost $6; they do accept cards with a $10 minimum. The city of Altoona is about 30 minutes away for more extensive shopping. There is a marina and boat rental on the lake about a 10 minute drive away. Bathrooms are very clean and the push button showers have excellent water pressure. Drinking water is dispersed throughout each loop. Pets are allowed on certain loops.
ScoutLet’s just start this review with our grading of the park it’s self. Five stars! Well maintained facilities, clean bath houses and gorgeous views at both the lake and multiple forest trails. Free Park map was very helpful in getting to trailheads and park office.
The park loses stars quickly for us, starting with the lack of cell or WiFi service. Though we did see a couple payphones at both the Ranger office and one of the bath house by the beach. We know that for many, camping means off the grid, but we like to be in touch with family or our business, at least for a phone call. The camp store and boat rentals were closed for the season and no firewood to be bought anywhere. Finally, our biggest complaint is the use of a commercial gas powered leaf blower, both hand held and an enormous one on the back of a large tractor, blowing leaves in the campground for the entire day, from early morning until 4pm. It was loud, constant and took away any chance of enjoying the serene environment of the park.
Had there been no blowers going, I think the beauty and serenity of this park would outweigh the lack of phone or WiFi. We’ll definitely come back but I think we’ll ask about the blower schedule and where to buy firewood before entering the park.
Guide
RB Winter is a great place to get away for the day or camp for a while. Take the family to have a picnic on the beach. Great little food stand if you don’t feel like hauling the cooler along. Plenty of picnic areas and grilling stations. Pavilions available for early birds. There is even free firewood at the backside of the park office. (I’ve always wanted to nab the pavilion with the fireplace to hangout during a storm.) Also at the park office you can sign out fishing gear, snowshoes, mountain bikes, etc. free of charge. Enjoy a short walk on the Nature Trail (easy for small children) or Rapid Run Trail. Or trek up the Overlook Trail to make a day of it. We’ve had our family reunions here for years. We have friends that were married at the amphitheater and even witnessed a wedding on the beach during a recent visit. Half-Way Dam is something we have always looked forward to and are glad they’ve been able to keep the park open. We are lucky to live so close to such a beautiful place that we are able to take full advantage of the various activities our local park offers.
Legend
Nice, clean, friendly/accommodating staff and the prices were reasonable for the accommodations. My Outdoor Adventure Algorithm is:(Drink+Fire+Lean-To)-(Rules+Regulations+Fees)/(Crowd-Privacy)*(Isolation*Acceptability of loud, primal, Forest-Man behavior)=Camping. While you won't mistake yourself for a member of the Donner Party, you'll also be comfortable, watching Dish, cooking on a gas stove or microwave inside(fire-ring out), with cold food/drinks and ice from the'big' mini-fridge. Bunk room had 2 bunk beds, each with a full size mattress AND room to move, plus good natural light. Living/dining area is large with a wall-mounted tv, rustic wood dining set, storage room and hooks/hangers, good natural light, as well as sufficient artificial direct and ambient lighting.Comfortable couch pulls out into a comfortable bed. Large covered front porch with again more lighting and a hanging swing. Parking is driveway-close, and they're pretty mellow about blazing conflagrations(IF it's under control) so you can get a REAL bed of coals to properly cook.They also have used/re-purposed camping/RV/tailgating items for sale( some free). It would even make a good event-specific yard-sale trip. Overall, a damned nice hotel in the woods. Not a survivalist challenge or hXc camping experience; just a clean, safe getaway for a game, Arts Fest, or just a time-out
ScoutThis campground is perfect for people who are looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake. Even though you can't see the lake from every site you can be there within a 10 minute walk. They have pet friendly sites, bike trails, and you can canoe, kayak, and take boats out on the lake. There are specific swimming areas and you can fish just about anywhere. Little to no cell service and there are some local stores/restaurants around the lake within 5-10 miles of the campground but most things close between 8-10pm. There is a camp store with food and supplies available sonif you show up with a text and a sleeping bag they can help out with the rest. Keep in mind being in the woods and by the lake it Ian always 5-15 degrees cooler than the surroundings towns so I feel you are leaving and want to explore the areas outside the campground be prepared for it to be much warmer than expected. I've been going here my whole life (32 years) and it is always clean and the people who work/volunteer there are super friendly and helpful. I've been there during every month they are open and each season is a new and exciting experience. They have a lot I feel family oriented activities and so you don't need to leave to find something to do.
Cabin camping near Karthaus, Pennsylvania offers a serene escape into nature, with various campgrounds providing cozy accommodations and a range of outdoor activities.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Karthaus, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.
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