Camping options near Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania include both full-service RV parks and rustic camping areas within the Allegheny Mountain region. Located at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, this area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with nighttime temperatures often dropping 15-20 degrees below daytime highs even in summer. The region features a mix of dense forest and open mountain meadows with campgrounds typically operating from mid-April through October, though several extend into December.
What to do
Fishing at Black Moshannon State Park: The 250-acre lake offers distinctive dark water fishing opportunities for species including panfish, pike and bass. "Great camping area stop a mountain...nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers," notes one Black Moshannon State Park Campground visitor.
Water activities at Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir: Located at Bald Eagle State Park, the reservoir provides kayaking, swimming and boating opportunities. "The lake is huge with a beautiful beach to spread out on and play in the sand! 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," shares a camper at Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park.
Visit nearby historic towns: Bellefonte's Victorian architecture and shops make a good day trip. "I honestly struggled with what to rate this campground. I loved the area. Very peaceful and quite, but close to State College (a must since we were in town for a Penn State game). I also loved historic Bellefonte (I highly recommend eating at the Governors Pub)," writes a visitor to Bellefonte-State College KOA.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites set back from main roads. "We stayed at the campground while visiting the State Forest in early September 2019. We enjoyed our stay. We camped very close to the shower houses which was a plus," shares a visitor to Bald Eagle State Park. Another camper notes about Bellefonte-State College KOA: "It was very secluded, private, quite and woodsy."
Educational programs: Many state parks offer naturalist-led activities. "The park also runs a ton of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc," mentions a Black Moshannon visitor. Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Waterfront camping spots: Several campgrounds feature premium sites along rivers or lakes. A Waterside Campground and RV Park guest recommends, "Absolutely beautiful if you are riverside. Staff was friendly and helpful. Typical overall, but clean and pretty. Stay on the waterside! Sites 48-53. Stayed at 49, it was absolutely perfection!"
What you should know
Weather variability: The mountain setting can bring unexpected cold snaps even in summer. Nights can drop below 50°F even in July and August, requiring appropriate sleeping gear.
Limited cell coverage at state parks: Coverage varies dramatically between public and private campgrounds. Black Moshannon State Park has particularly poor reception, while campgrounds closer to towns maintain better signals.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends and Penn State home game weekends. "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," advises a visitor to Black Moshannon State Park.
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have uneven sites. "Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks," reports a visitor to The Bellefonte Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several RV parks near Snow Shoe offer dedicated children's facilities. "There were activities that my kids enjoyed. Pool is in good shape, along with a bounce pillow and several playgrounds," notes a Bellefonte-State College KOA camper.
Fishing opportunities for children: Many campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds specifically for young anglers. "There is a fishing pond on site for the kids to fish. Not a huge place but it's a nice place for a quick getaway," mentions a Lumber City RV Park visitor.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort while maintaining an outdoor experience. "Nice, clean, friendly/accommodating staff and the prices were reasonable for the accommodations. My Outdoor Adventure Algorithm is:(Drink+Fire+Lean-To)-(Rules+Regulations+Fees)/(Crowd-Privacy)(IsolationAcceptability of loud, primal, Forest-Man behavior)=Camping," shares a Seven Mountains Campground guest describing their cabin experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some RV parks near Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania have challenging sites for big rigs. "Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV's scraping bottom," notes a Bellefonte-State College KOA visitor, while another mentions, "Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers."
Water pressure considerations: Several RV parks in the region have inconsistent water pressure. Check with campground management if steady pressure is important for your rig's systems.
Seasonal availability: While most RV parks operate April through October, Black Moshannon State Park campground remains open until mid-December, providing late-season camping options. Winter camping is extremely limited in the Snow Shoe area.
Dump station access: Most RV parks provide on-site dump stations, though state park facilities may have limited stations resulting in morning lines during busy weekends.
