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Black Moshannon State Park Campground accommodates glamping enthusiasts with diverse options set among wooded sites with ample privacy. Located near Philipsburg, the park features both rustic and modern glamping cabins alongside traditional camping areas. Modern cabins include comfortable bathrooms, well-equipped kitchens, and robust woodstoves for chilly evenings. The rustic cabins offer a more primitive yet cozy experience with woodstoves keeping them warm even during cold October nights. Seven Points in Hesston provides alternative glamping experiences with yurts that blend canvas tent comfort with sturdy structure. Lake Raystown Resort complements these options with additional yurt accommodations that offer elevated comfort in natural settings. Sites throughout these locations typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hooks. "Modern cabins were seemingly quite new and extremely comfortable with nice bathrooms and nice kitchen. One of the best things about Black Mo is how isolated it feels," noted one visitor.
Black Moshannon State Park offers 24 miles of hiking trails directly accessible from glamping areas, leading to pristine forest and bog environments. The park contains a 250-acre lake surrounded by unique bog vegetation including pitcher plants, sundews, and water lilies that create its distinctive black water appearance. Swimming beaches with adjacent playgrounds provide family entertainment, though the water remains notably cold even in summer months. Kayaking opportunities abound with rentals available during the season, and electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake with proper permits. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore 4.3 miles of dedicated trails. A small camp concession sells essentials and ice cream during peak season. According to one camper, "The entire park is beautiful with plenty of well-maintained, well-marked trails for all experience levels. The lake is lovely with a very nice swimming beach." Cell service is virtually nonexistent, offering a true disconnect from digital life.
"The section we were in was “no pets allowed”. My kids loved the beach, swimming was not deep. Beach was big with adjacent playground. Lots of pavilions all over."
"General: 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."
from $24 - $159 / night
Check Availability"The campground can host tents, as well as RVs/campers, and includes clean bath houses with both toilets and showers. You can also buy firewood at the entrance. Sites have a picnic table + fire ring."
"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. "
from $24 - $33 / night
Check Availability"We could sit and eat breakfast and watch the deers. Very relaxing place. Clean bath houses and friendly staff. The lake was beautiful. Very nice park to relax."
"Almost every campsite was decorated for Halloween and there was plenty of Trick or treaters. If you are into Halloween then this is the place to go. Overall the park was clean and well taken care of."
from $24 - $108 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to camp ground. The check in process was just to drive to the site and set up which was different but very easy. The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on."
"The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable. Everyone was very friendly and with the exception of one neighbor, dogs were kept mostly quiet."
from $26 - $113 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to the lake from your site. Bath house is up at the top of the hill. Be prepared for that walk. Get water at the dump station on the way in!!!"
"We set our chocks and started our setup. The picnic table had a new seat on one side and was in great shape."
from $28 - $200 / night
Check Availability"This primitive campground is located a few miles from Seven Points Recreation area, but far enough away to enjoy a real camping experience without electricity and running water."
"We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there."
from $25 - $32 / night
Check Availability"Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer, one of the nicest parks we have camped at!"
"Nice waterfront at the lower edge of the resort. The cabins were set up above and kind of overlooked down to Raystown lake."
"Very primitive, only 2 sites with electric and no playground (but 4 swings), however the creek is beautiful and the kids were so happy to play in it."
"There’s no camp store here but about 3.5 miles away at Poe Valley there’s a store, real bathrooms and showers, kayaking rentals, etc. There’s a guy that sells firewood just past Poe Valley."
from $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Clean and well kept campground located 12 mile below Lewistown, Pa. As clean a campground as you will find. Staff is super friendly."
"we stayed at buttonwood for the first time the end of August. probably the friendliest campground I’ve stayed out. when you arrive you are met by a staff member on a golf cart that takes you to your campsite"
from $30 - $78 / night
Check Availability
GuideNice clean and quiet campground. The address online took us to the ranger station. Turn left BEFORE bridge. Couldn’t see sign from the road. The section we were in was “no pets allowed”. My kids loved the beach, swimming was not deep. Beach was big with adjacent playground. Lots of pavilions all over. The area was a little crowded for my liking.
GuideStayed in the modern camping section. Easy access to camp ground. The check in process was just to drive to the site and set up which was different but very easy. The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on. Lots of extra places to park extra cars or bring a second vehicle with a boat.
The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing.
The camping area was very quite both mornings and evenings. We saw the park rangers drive through multiple times per day.
The bathrooms were clean. There are no shelfs in the showers (except for a bar of soap) but they had hooks to hang your clothes.
The racoons were a fun surprise on our last night! We left the grease trap from the Blackstone out and the they found it. We did not see any bears though we heard they are there.
We had smoke from Canadian forest fires so haze in the pictures is smoke not haze or rainy days! The walking trails are great. You can see the largest white swamp oak in Pennsylvania!
Definitely check out Penns Cave too.
LegendPROS
Senior discount $18
Able to reserve 334 days prior to arriving
Campground quiet but can hear PA 150 road noise
Great night sky viewing
Nice privacy from side neighbor's campsite
Asphalt parking pad
Large gravel around pad to include firepit and utility hook up
Grass around gravel, but was mid-calf high
Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon arrival
Lantern pole
8 miles off of Interstate 80
Firewood for sale at the campground; $6 bundle
Park is good proximity to Penn State University and Central Pennsylvania
Country Pride Restaurant Milesburg (TA truck stop off of Interstate 80) has some terrific food!
4 bars Verizon
CONS
$6.50 reservation fee for self made online reservation
One day while away from our campsite, park personnel mowed mid-cafe high grass at and around our site and the mowers threw grass all over our table with a table cloth, chairs, trailer, driveway...you name it...it was covered with grass. Why the mowers didn’t direct the mowed grass AWAY from our items is beyond me. What a mess!!!
Check-in clerk at park office was disturbed we checked in with her. Told us just to go to site. Could not tell us if site was vacated. We had to ask for a park map and directions to campground/campsite since this was first time visiting
Site MO45 unlevel from side to side
Site MO45 NO shade as was the case with most of the FHU campsites
Metal frame wood top table in bad condition
Need pathway from upper campsite to toilet/shower building…have to wade thru mid-calf high grass if you don’t walk on the roadway
Toilet/shower facility lit up like a Christmas tree
Toilet/shower facility cleaned on Wednesdays only, according to sign on door
No WiFi
TravelerLove staying at Seven Points CG. This Corps part got a spruce up in 2022. The roads on the point loop were upgraded.
Tough to get waterfront spot during main season, but fall is beautiful here.
Chipmunks are fun to watch. Point loop is my favorite. Sites 128, 126 126a, 154 are perfect. Easy access to the lake from your site. Bath house is up at the top of the hill. Be prepared for that walk.
Get water at the dump station on the way in!!! Easier than trying to attach to the spigots on the loop.
Trough State Park nearby is a great place to hike!!
ScoutParadise stream is a beautiful campground. They go above and beyond to keep the grounds immaculate. The fire pits are even top notch. There are many activities including boating on the lake, fishing, pedal carts, shuffle board, mini golf and swimming. The staff is very friendly and goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. Planning another visit this year.
TravelerThis primitive campground is located a few miles from Seven Points Recreation area, but far enough away to enjoy a real camping experience without electricity and running water. Not to worry, the showers are located at Seven Points. There aren't many waterfront sites, so book early. Some sites not listed as waterfront can be used for boats (with a permit from the campground office).
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.
GuideWe 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. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern. We pulled into Ridge Camp (RCAM on Recreation.gov) and drove a little bit down a hill to our site. One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us. We set our chocks and started our setup. The picnic table had a new seat on one side and was in great shape. Our pad was limestone and very flat and level, so setting out our rugs was easy and comfortable underneath our feet. The campfire ring was in great shape with a fully functioning adjustable grill plate....we even had a lantern pole. Looking at some of our neighbor’s sites, depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them. Definitely worth looking at the pictures. Our site in Ridge, along with most others from #6-24 were very well shaded. One thing to note is Ridge is on an incline with a loop at the end. Perfect for turning around to head out. With the slope, however be aware of the kids and adults riding around on bicycles and skateboards. With the many bike trails in Seven Points, there were a lot of adult mountain bike riders.
We took a drive around through the other six campgrounds and decided Point was our favorite, but obviously crowded because it is right on the lake. Senoia camp was (our) tied with Ridge, but only the lower portion. Once you go up the hill to sites above #231, it gets very steep and far away from the water. Probably not too safe for kids on bikes, although the only playground appeared to be at the top of the hill..again, probably too steep for kids. We drove through Meadow Camp (MCAM) but it was too open for us with not many trees for shade. Bay camp (BCAM) was a bit nicer than Meadow with ample trees, but it wasn’t close to anything except for one portion that had access to the lake/bay below. Finally, Valley Camp (VCAM) was a single in/out with a loop around the playground, but the sites appeared too small for our 28’ TT.
We liked this campground so much that I tried booking (and cancelling our reservation at Red Bridge in Kane, PA) for our last seasonal weekend in October, but there was nothing in Ridge or Point. Later that day, I received an email from Reservation.gov that our Oct 23 booking at Red Bridge was going to be refunded because Red Bridge was under construction. I quickly opened the reservation.gov website and a site across and up the hill a few sites from where we stayed was suddenly available, so I booked it. Another item worth noting is Ridge has a laundromat at only 25¢/load. Also, the restroom at Ridge has 4 shower stalls which were very clean with hot water at a great water pressure. On our way out, we visited the dump station again and 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. We can’t wait to go back to Ridge again next month. I took pictures of our site #6 plus several other sites in Seven Points. Each site is sequentially numbered, depending on which of the seven campgrounds - reference the map for the actual locations.
TravelerI was expecting a much nicer camping experience based on the reviews and price. We camped out on Poplar. Our site had a gravel pad. But the surrounding area was not level and you had to climb up a 2-3’ incline to get to the fire pit area. Gets very slick because it doesn’t dry out. Sites across the way were on the water. They had cement pads only as wide as your rv/tt but then the surrounding grass dropped off sharply. Very dangerous as you barely had enough room to walk around your unit.
We explored the “red carpet” row up on the hill. What a joke. Gravel pads skinnier in some instances then a TT is wide. One wrong step and you’d fall into the woods. Grass and weeds galore in the gravel areas. Sites barely large (long) enough and all back in’s up there. Trees had low branches which isn’t good for rigs. Not many people up in this area and I can see why.
The beach area really needed combing or raking once in a while. There was a water leak coming out of the road and a tree branch barely hanging on about to fall that staff just drove by like its normal.
When we checked in, there wasn’t much explained to us. This is a huge property and would have thought they’d want to give campers more direction about where things are etc. We went to the store to sign up for pump out service. ($10). I asked the girl a question because I hadn’t done that type of service prior and she doesn’t answer with information, just tells me to read the ticket. .....which didn’t have the answer. Felt like staff wasn’t overly friendly and didn’t want to take the time. So many good camp staff experiences to compare to from other campgrounds so this really stood out.
Water was nice. Rented a kayak. Spent some time on the beach. Boats zoomed back and forth but the noise wasn’t too bad. Jet skis could be a bit loud at times.
Also, almost forgot....we lost power twice. Once a meter overheated and melted. Took a few hours to get that replaced. The other time two workers walked along the tree line behind the campsites and hit the main to our area so they could fix an electrical issue up the row. No warning. No communication. Campers were to ones telling each other what was going on. Another example of staff just feeling very punching a clock.
Black Moshannon State Park sits at an elevation of 1,900 feet in the Allegheny Mountains, creating cooler microclimates even during summer months. The park's distinctive bog ecosystem filters the water through sphagnum moss and peat, giving it the characteristic dark "black" appearance. Tent and yurt camping near Port Matilda, Pennsylvania offers diverse options from primitive campsites to modern accommodations within a 30-mile radius.
Fishing opportunities: Poe Paddy State Park Campground provides excellent access to Penn's Creek, known for trout fishing. "Great fishing too! No cell service," notes Rebecca G., highlighting the disconnected experience that allows for full immersion in the activity.
Mountain biking trails: At Seven Points, visitors can access the renowned Allegrippis Trail system directly from the campground. "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," according to Travis S., who appreciates the convenient trail access.
Tunnel exploration: Several campgrounds offer access to historic tunnels and railroad features. At Poe Paddy, "The walk to the tunnel is quick and easy for all ages," reports Sarah, making it an accessible adventure for families with children of varying hiking abilities.
Lake activities: Bald Eagle State Park receives praise for its water recreation options. "We love this park and usually rent a boat and swim and watch the eagles all day. One of the best experiences ever," shares Sara W., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing at Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground. "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," explains Ann P.
Waterfront camping: Direct lake access ranks highly among camper preferences. "Our site was on a cliff's edge," reports Jennifer R. at Susquehannock, while others mention the ability to "walk right into the lake" from lakeside sites. These water-adjacent locations provide convenient access for swimming and boating directly from your campsite.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the Port Matilda region have limited connectivity. Poe Paddy campers note "NO cell service and park rangers do 'rounds' but aren't stationed at the site," according to Joanna H., emphasizing the remote nature of the experience.
Weather considerations: The mountain climate creates variable conditions. At Lake Raystown Resort, seasonal weather affects site conditions. "Our site had a gravel pad. But the surrounding area was not level and you had to climb up a 2-3' incline to get to the fire pit area. Gets very slick because it doesn't dry out," warns Mary C.
Booking requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early," advises Denise D. about Black Moshannon State Park. Reservations typically open 6-11 months in advance depending on the park system.
Playground access: Prince Gallitzin State Park features family-friendly amenities. "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., highlighting multiple activities to keep children entertained.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with varying amenities. "It's a very nice place to camp, people are friendly, boating-fishing-swimming-hiking. Something to do for everyone," notes Bob W. about Prince Gallitzin, where the beach area provides a safe swimming environment.
Educational opportunities: Historical features add educational value to camping trips. "The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike! You can pick up a compass at the ranger station and complete a compass course! Beginner course available!" shares Amanda H. about Greenwood Furnace, describing activities that combine learning with outdoor skills.
Site selection guidance: RV campers recommend researching specific sites before booking. "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable," advises Greg J. about Bald Eagle State Park, noting the importance of site-specific research.
Dump station facilities: The quality of waste disposal facilities varies significantly. At Seven Points, "On our way out, we visited the dump station again and 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," reports Tim J., highlighting this often-overlooked amenity.
Yurt options for non-RV owners: For those wanting an RV-like experience without owning one, yurt camping around Port Matilda offers a comfortable alternative. These permanent canvas structures typically include beds, electricity, and sometimes heating, providing a glamping experience with fewer setup requirements than traditional camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Port Matilda, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Port Matilda, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Port Matilda, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 glamping camping locations near Port Matilda, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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