Black Moshannon State Park Campground
Ann P.
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2019

Black Mo is a unique treasure

UPDATED reviews for rustic and modern cabins.

March 2020, Modern Cabins: Before COVID-19 hit PA we stayed in one of the modern cabins. Wow...everything was seemingly quite new and it was extremely comfortable. Nice bathrooms, nice kitchen, etc. One of the best things about Black Mo is how isolated it feels and it's never crowded in the off-months. The Moss Hanne is still a thrilling trail even in the winter months and there's been a lot of beaver activity since we last visited including a very impressive dam. 

October 2019, Rustic Cabins: We stayed in one of the rustic cabins on a cold October weekend. Very charming small cabins with robust woodstoves. Although we probably could have been more careful, there were unfortunately some very bothersome mice who kept us awake each night...and were seemingly not very afraid of us! The construction of the rustic cabins is such that there probably isn't much you can do about mice getting in. If this doesn't bother you, these cabins are really cute and cozy.

July 2019, Tent Camping: As far as camping goes, the loop area is a bit cramped for my taste, but if that doesn't bother you it's fine. Clean bathhouse and convenient outdoor sink for washing up after dinner. Overall one of the best PA parks and well maintained.

I really have to address some of these other reviews, though:

"Water was thick with weeds& lilies but ok nonetheless." Wow! Pitcher plants, sundews and water lilies are not "weeds." They are unique to bog environments and don't grow in other places. The vegetation in the lake is what makes Black Mo black, so picturesque and unlike other PA parks!

"The overall area has nothing to do. And I mean NOTHING. We drove 45 minutes to Altoona to see the famous Horseshoe Curve but there’s literally nothing else around for miles and miles. Not even an ice cream stand, or not one we could find. And, since there’s no cell service, we couldn’t figure out any options either." Like many state parks in this part of the world there is no cell service, so you need to bring a real map (Purple Lizard) and look a few things up on the internet ahead of time. Black Mo is literally ten minutes from Philipsburg where there is surely an ice cream stand, 25 minutes from State College, which has tons of touristy offerings…I could go on but really this is laughable.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Moshannon State Park Campground by Ann P., July 25, 2019