Moshannon, Pennsylvania sits in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 feet. The area features distinctive red-tinted water in several creeks and bogs caused by natural iron deposits. Campgrounds near Moshannon remain accessible from spring through fall, with most closing by mid-November due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on unique bog waters: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers access to a distinctive 250-acre lake with unusually dark water. "Great camping area stop a mountain...nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers," notes one visitor to Black Moshannon State Park Campground.
Fishing at stocked ponds: River's Edge RV Park provides direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. "The campground offers direct access to the river for afternoon floats on tubes or kayaks and they're building a large dock for fishing. Beautiful sunsets on the river!" according to a camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Primitive camping areas offer quieter settings for nature observation. "The rustic campground has some parking sites, but we are most fond of the sites with a short walk in. Usually they're very private. Some clusters allow dogs. Nearby lake access through a tunnel under the tracks near the bathrooms," reports a visitor at Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park.
Outdoor education programs: State parks in the region offer structured learning activities. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," mentions a camper at Black Moshannon.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Seven Mountains Campground provides privacy among the trees. A visitor notes it has "nice, clean, friendly/accommodating staff and the prices were reasonable for the accommodations," with cabins that offer "a large covered front porch with again more lighting and a hanging swing."
Riverside camping spots: Waterside Campground (formerly Locust) features premium waterfront sites. "Absolutely beautiful if you are riverside. Staff was friendly and helpful. Typical overall, but clean and pretty. Stay on the waterside! Sites 48-53. Stayed at 49, it was absolutely perfection!" recommends a camper at Waterside Campground and RV Park.
Clean facilities: The Bellefonte-State College KOA maintains high standards for bathrooms and showers. "The individual bathroom/showers were great & clean. Office facilities & firewood access were also nice," shares one visitor.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas. "The pool and splash pad were clean and nice. The Bathrooms were hotel quality and clean," reports a KOA camper.
What you should know
Water quality variations: The region's streams have distinctive characteristics. "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals," explains a visitor at Black Moshannon.
Navigation challenges: Access to certain campgrounds can be difficult. "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road," advises a camper.
Limited nearby services: Supplies and stores are sparse in some areas. "There is not much in the area in terms of supplies or stores. There was an old Unimart Gas station on Howard PA that is now closed," notes a visitor to Bald Eagle State Park.
Reservation requirements: Bald Eagle State Park Primitive Campsite and other popular areas fill quickly during peak season. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," recommends a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities. "The campground offers a stocked pond for the kids to fish. Not a huge place but it's a nice place for a quick getaway," shares a visitor at Lumber City RV Park.
Site selection for kids: Choose locations with space for play. "There were also sites with a nicer table, patio, and gas grill," notes a KOA camper, while another mentions they "had activities that my kids enjoyed. Pool is in good shape, along with a bounce pillow and several playgrounds."
Educational opportunities: Greene Hills Family Campground & RV Park and other locations offer learning experiences. "We camped here in the off season. The two commercial camping areas are great and provide all of the comforts of commercial camping, complete with yurts and cabins," reports a family at Bald Eagle.
Safety considerations: Be aware of terrain challenges with children. "The trail up the hill is large gravel and treacherous on a bicycle," warns a KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many rv camping sites near Moshannon, Pennsylvania require equipment for proper setup. "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side," advises a KOA camper.
Site approach challenges: Terrain can present difficulties for larger vehicles. "Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers," notes a visitor, while another mentions "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."
Seasonal water pressure issues: Utilities can vary throughout the year. "Then there was the water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous," reports an RV camper at Bellefonte KOA.
Amenity access: Campgrounds offer varying hookup options. "Stayed in Primitive Area with RV which is MUCH QUIETER & MUCH MORE PRIVATE with many trees than the full hookups down in the main park area," recommends a visitor to Bald Eagle State Park.
