Camping sites near Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania offer a mix of mountain terrain and lakeside options within central Pennsylvania. The region sits at elevations between 1,800-2,000 feet, creating cooler summer nights compared to surrounding lowland areas. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October, with several offering extended seasons into December depending on weather conditions and facility winterization.
What to do
Kayaking at Black Moshannon State Park: The 250-acre lake provides excellent flat-water paddling opportunities with distinctive dark waters from natural tannins. "Great kayaking in creek above & below reservoir as well as res itself. Great fishing too!" notes a camper who visited the park.
Trail exploration: Black Moshannon offers extensive hiking options directly from the campground area. According to one visitor, the park runs "tons of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc." The surrounding forest features several miles of marked trails accessible for day hikes.
Wildlife viewing: The region provides opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat. At Bald Eagle State Park Primitive Campsite, campers can watch for eagles and other birds. "We kayaked and biked all over the park. We also fished a lot. Due to the large size of the lake we didn't feel like we were on top of other people fishing," reports one visitor.
Lake swimming: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming areas during summer months. The beach at Bald Eagle State Park receives positive reviews for its amenities. "The lake is huge with a beautiful beach to spread out on and play in the sand!" mentions a camper.
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Campsites throughout the region vary significantly in privacy. At Black Moshannon State Park Campground, "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept. Very peaceful and well maintained." The campground layout provides adequate separation between most sites.
Natural water features: The distinctive lake at Black Moshannon draws particular interest. One camper describes it as a "nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers." The color comes from natural tannins in the surrounding bog areas.
Varied terrain options: Campers appreciate the diversity of camping environments available. At Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park, one visitor notes, "The sites are clean, flat and spread out. You can see everyone but you don't feel like you are on top of one another."
Night sky viewing: The region's relatively remote location provides good stargazing conditions. "The fireflies were in rare form and the wildflowers that outline the camping were beautiful," reports a camper from Bald Eagle State Park.
What you should know
Site reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. At Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park, a camper advises, "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable."
Bathhouse facilities: Amenities vary significantly between campgrounds and camping sections. At Russell P. Letterman Campground, "Bathrooms are clean and the showers are delightfully warm." However, more primitive camping areas typically offer vault toilets only.
Site terrain considerations: Many sites throughout the region have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. A camper at Russell P. Letterman notes, "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."
Wildlife encounters: Visitors should prepare for potential wildlife interactions. At Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park, campers routinely observe various animals. The park is known for its bald eagles, with several nesting pairs in the vicinity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, "Nice pool, splash park, and bouncy pillow. We did the Friday night pizza and wings which worked out great." These amenities provide entertainment options during downtime at camp.
Educational opportunities: Many parks in the region offer ranger-led programs suitable for various ages. One visitor to Black Moshannon mentions, "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc." These programs typically operate on weekends during peak season.
Bike-friendly areas: Several campgrounds feature relatively flat loops suitable for children learning to ride. At Bald Eagle State Park, a visitor notes, "Our kids loved the freedom of riding their bike and exploring the park with other kids who were camping."
Beach activities: The swimming areas at several parks provide shallow entry points appropriate for young children. "The lake has lots to offer. Swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching and a big sky view for star gazing," reports a camper from Black Moshannon.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many sites in the region require significant leveling equipment. At Centre County Snow Shoe City Park, "Sites were well spaced and wooded. Full hookups. Nice play ground for kids. Bathrooms just OK." The park serves as a convenient stopover location.
Road access considerations: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads that may be difficult for larger rigs. A camper at Black Moshannon warns, "Our only trouble was our GPS brought us in the most difficult way. We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road."
Water pressure variations: Water systems at some campgrounds operate at lower pressures. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, a visitor reports, "Aside from that, the campground is clean and the staff is friendly. They had activities that my kids enjoyed. Pool is in good shape, along with a bounce pillow and several playgrounds."
Hookup availability: Electric service varies considerably between campgrounds. One visitor to Russell P. Letterman Campground explains, "I'm not sure about other sites, but we did not have a water hookup, just a spigot we could fill from. The dump station worked fine and was clean. Power pole was in rough shape but worked."
