Black Moshannon State Park stands 1,900 feet above sea level in the Allegheny Mountains, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding regions even in summer months. The park's distinctive tea-colored water comes from the local peat bog that filters and darkens the streams and lake. Campers should note that nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, with summer evening lows sometimes reaching 50°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Black Moshannon State Park Campground offers a unique fishing experience in its dark-water lake. "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 Travis S. The 250-acre lake is stocked and supports various fish species.
Boating and water recreation: At Bald Eagle State Park Primitive Campsite, campers have access to extensive water activities. "Bald Eagle State Park is a great place to camp, fish, kayak, boat, bike and hike," notes Jamie M., who adds that "the lake is huge with a beautiful beach to spread out on and play in the sand!" Rental boats are available at many park locations.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers excellent opportunities to spot native wildlife. "We saw the park rangers drive through multiple times per day... The racoons were a fun surprise on our last night!" reports Erik E. at Russell P Letterman Campground. Bald eagles are commonly spotted at both Bald Eagle State Park and Kettle Creek State Park.
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Many campgrounds near Snow Shoe feature well-spaced sites with natural buffers. At Russell P Letterman Campground, "the sites are big and spaced far apart," according to Graham S., who appreciated that "it's a quiet park at night, but there's plenty to do during the day."
Accessible amenities: Dog-friendly campgrounds near Snow Shoe typically maintain clean facilities with modern conveniences. "The bathhouse was very clean and modern," notes Graham S. about Lower Campground at Kettle Creek State Park. At Black Moshannon, Lisa L. found "spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept."
Star-gazing opportunities: The area's dark skies and mountain elevation create ideal conditions for astronomy. Denise D. highlights that Black Moshannon provides "a big sky view for star gazing," while other visitors note minimal light pollution across the region's campgrounds.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation means weather can change quickly. James B. at Black Moshannon commented, "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" Many campgrounds are at higher elevations where temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer.
Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "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.
Limited services: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal nearby services. Paul Y. notes about Centre County Snow Shoe City Park: "The park itself is OK for an overnight stay. Not much to offer longer term stays." For supplies, visitors often need to travel to larger towns like Bellefonte.
Tips for camping with families
Water temperature awareness: Children should be prepared for the cold water temperature at Black Moshannon Lake. Clay P. describes it as "incredibly dark in color" and other reviewers consistently mention the water remains cold throughout summer due to its bog-fed nature.
Kid-friendly activities: Many parks offer educational programming specifically for younger visitors. Lisa L. notes that Black Moshannon "runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc." while Kettle Creek State Park provides shoreline access for safe water play.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds to entertain children. Cassia M. mentions that at Lower Campground, "The playground was right next to our site which is great if you have kids." Similarly, Woodland Campground offers "a large play area for the kids" according to Jeff & Steff's review.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should research specific site limitations before booking. Cheryl W. notes that at Lower Campground, there's a "40 ft max campers due to space/turning constraints. Not for class A rigs. Long campers up to that size should use south loop of lower campground."
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates uneven sites at many campgrounds. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, "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," explains Nancy W.
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds have inconsistent utilities. Gayle B. reported at Bellefonte-State College KOA that "the water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous." Joel A. confirmed this with "water pressure was 18psi" in his review.
