Beyond traditional equestrian camping at Ferryboat Campsites, the Mill Hall region features diverse camping options within the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Located approximately 30 miles from State College, Mill Hall sits at an elevation of 575 feet within Clinton County. The area combines the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains with river valleys, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with humid summers and cold winters.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. "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," notes Katie S.
Wildlife observation: Tiadaghton State Forest provides multiple remote camping sites for wildlife enthusiasts. Their roadside campsites at locations like East Run Road offer primitive camping with basic amenities while providing access to forest habitat.
Fishing access: Lyman Run State Park Campground features productive fishing waters. "Pretty easy to catch some trout and blue gill. There are also 6 miles of hiking trails to clear your head if you need that," states Joshua L., highlighting the accessible fishing options for families and solo anglers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Black Moshannon State Park Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. Lisa L. reports, "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. Very peaceful and well maintained, plan to go back again for sure!"
Spacious campsites: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers well-sized camping areas. Amanda H. confirms, "The campsites are spacious. There are standard tent sites available and there are water/electric site available."
Paddling opportunities: The lakes at regional campgrounds provide peaceful water recreation alternatives to the Susquehanna River. At Lyman Run, Michelle L. shares, "Had a good time fishing at the lake and stopping for ice cream at the beach shop is a must!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Lyman Run State Park Campground fills quickly during peak seasons. Peggy S. advises, "We like staying at Lyman Run since Cherry Springs gets filled pretty quickly. Lyman Run campground is great. There are 2 campgrounds, one right by the lake (larger) and one a little further away (smaller)."
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds near Mill Hall have limitations for certain campers. At Little Buffalo, Paula R. notes, "Only downfall is we have smaller children and we could not bike from the campground to the pool, it was too far and the hill to get back was too big for them to ride up."
Water conditions: Black Moshannon has distinctive water features. Travis S. explains, "The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why it's called the Red Mo with the locals." This affects the appearance but not recreation safety.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Little Buffalo State Park Campground offers excellent swimming facilities, though not included with camping. "They offer a large area that is only 1 foot deep, great for little ones! There is also a splash pad! There are 2 slides for fun!" shares Amanda H.
Educational opportunities: Several parks near Mill Hall feature ranger-led programs. Christopher E. recalls, "We did have a nice bat spotting walk with a Ranger when we were there and there's an interesting historic mill you can tour."
Kid-friendly alternatives: When equestrian camping facilities are booked, consider Black Moshannon State Park. Denise D. recommends, "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early. It has sites to accommodate any R.V. and lot of tent sites."
Tips from RVers
Navigation advice: Lyman Run State Park Campground requires careful route planning. Sandi G. cautions, "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road."
Seasonal opportunities: Little Buffalo provides year-round access. Shirley M. notes, "We camped here over Columbus Day weekend. We wanted a quiet escape. We had one of the few full hook up sites."
Site selection: Consider camping loops carefully at each location. At Black Moshannon, one camper explains, "Your neighbors are not 'right there'," while at Lyman Run, Gina M. contrasts, "We booked a tent site, and there was only one small patch of grass where we could set up our tent."
