Black Moshannon State Park Campground sits about 30 minutes from Pennsylvania Furnace at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet. The park features a unique bog ecosystem with distinctive dark-colored water caused by plant tannins. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, with summer daytime averages reaching 75-85°F.
What to do
Fishing at waterfront sites: Susquehannock Campground offers direct water access for anglers. "Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake. Beautiful scenery, be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise," notes Ian W. about the Susquehannock waterfront sites.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Access over 50 miles of maintained singletrack directly from your campsite. "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," explains Travis S. about Seven Points campground, which connects to the Allegrippis Trail system.
Visit historic iron furnaces: Learn about Pennsylvania's industrial past through preserved structures. "Very interesting history of the old furnaces. Gorgeous park - very PA-scenic!" shares Melanie Z. about the historical features at Greenwood Furnace State Park.
What campers like
Secluded water access: Several campgrounds offer private waterfront sites away from crowds. "We could not see any of our neighbors, but could still hear them (which isn't a problem for us) they are 100% electricity free, so you have to bring a generator if you want electricity," explains Kristen H. about her experience at Susquehannock Campground.
Clean facilities with modern conveniences: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "Great clean campground, easy to maneuver with a big rig, level sites, clean restrooms and shower rooms. Lots of great hiking, footpath around the park layered with recycled rubber was great to walk on," reports David L. after staying at Seven Points.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "We stayed at one of two walk-in sites at Greenwood. The highlights were a spacious camp site, nice bathrooms, little light pollution (we saw the Milky Way!) and hearing screech owls at night," shares Ann P. about her experience at Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground.
What you should know
Boat noise can be significant: Waterfront sites experience regular boat traffic, especially on weekends. "Beautiful! Loved staying here! Raystown lake is incredible for fishing and swimming and the campsites were nice. I wish we had a waterfront one but be aware that the speedboats on the lake make quite a lot of noise," warns Amelie B. about Susquehannock Campground.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no connectivity. "This campground helped me finally convince my fiance that not all 'campgrounds' are actually waterpark/family fun/RV parking lots. There is little to no phone service here and it's not super close to town, so come prepared," advises Diane T. about Greenwood Furnace State Park.
Seasonal availability varies: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with reduced services in shoulder seasons. "We stayed in Senoia loop in site 236 which was spacious, private, and with a nice breeze! It's close to bathhouse and playground if you want those," reports Laure D. about her summer visit to Seven Points campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas. "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. BMX track for kids," recommends Jackie W. about Crooked Run Campground at Prince Gallitzin State Park.
Educational programs: Many parks offer ranger-led activities. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," notes Lisa L. about Black Moshannon State Park Campground, which provides structured outdoor education opportunities.
Safe swimming areas: Designated beach areas provide supervised water recreation. "The lake is so clean and refreshing and we have such beautiful views from our camp site. We went down to the swim beach and our kiddo made sand castles and swam in the clear water," shares Jennifer D. about her family's experience at Seven Points.
Tips from RVers
Dump station quality: Multiple lanes reduce wait times at popular campgrounds. "We got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," explains Tim J. about the facilities at Seven Points campground.
Site levelness matters: Choose campgrounds with well-maintained pads. "Very nice quiet campground. Level spots. Large lake to boat and kayak. Beautiful scenery. Full hook up spot," reports Shirley M. about her RV experience at Russell P Letterman Campground at Bald Eagle State Park.
Consider distance from attractions: Location can impact your overall experience. "We looked at this campground in early August, but I wasn't too sure about the elevation. I booked our site #6 in Ridge Camp. From the time we arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station, I knew we were in for a great weekend," shares Tim J. about planning his RV trip to Seven Points.
