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Black Moshannon State Park
Perched on the top of the Allegheny Plateau, Black Moshannon State Park features the Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area. Trails and a boardwalk help people explore the birds and plants of the bog and surrounding forests. Stay overnight to extend your stay so you can explore the beautiful forests on the hiking trails. Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands that provide recreational opportunities for thousands of visitors. The park conserves unique, natural environments and is in Centre County on PA Route 504, nine miles east of Philipsburg. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting. |
According to local tradition, American Indians called this watershed "Moss-Hanne," meaning "moose stream," thus the origin of the park's name. Appropriately, the "black" in the park name describes the tea-colored waters. The 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake is fed by clear springs and small streams which flow through the bogs that stretch in most directions from its shores. As the clear water flows through sphagnum moss and other wetland plants, it becomes colored by plant tannins. In a sense, the bog vegetation acts like a giant teabag to color the water.
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Stay the Night - Trails - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Accessibility - Calendar of Events - Wildlife - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 9/15/2008 12:26:00 PM | Lake Draw-down begins in August, 2009
Black Moshannon Lake's level will be three feet below normal to allow for needed improvements, including repalcement of the Route 504 bridge by PennDOT contractors, repairs to the park's dam, and re-construction of boat launch ramps and docks.
The lower lake levels will result in the closing of the swimming area and boating. Fishing will be impacted, but still possible at the fishing pier and in Black Moshannon Creek. Ice fishing and skating may also be affected. All other facilities will remain open. A temporary bridge will allow travel across the park during bridge replacement.
The draw-down is currently scheduled to begin the first week of August and return to normal by April, 2010.
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| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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Black Moshannon State Park is in Centre County on PA 504, nine miles east of Philipsburg. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Biking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Cross-country Skiing - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Ice Skating - Organized Group Tenting - Cabins - Camping
Picnicking: There are 250 picnic tables provided in four picnic areas. Eight picnic pavilions may be reserved for a fee, or when unreserved, may be used on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.
Make a reservation
Boating: Ninety mooring spaces and three boat launch areas are provided. Boat rentals are available in the summer season. Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania,visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Bicycling: The Dry Hollow Trail and Snowmobile Trail provide access to additional trails on state forest land for mountain bikes. State forest roads (unpaved) are also open to cycling. Cycling is prohibited on other park trails.
Fishing: The lake provides habitat for warm water fishing. Black Moshannon Creek, below the lake, contains trout. Trout anglers can enjoy their sport in several nearby streams including Six Mile and Black Bear runs. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations apply. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site. |
Hunting and Firearms: Over 3,000 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs from the day after Labor Day through March 31. Common game species are deer, wild turkey, bear, grouse and squirrel. Adjacent state forest land is also open for public hunting. However, the hunting of woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations are in effect for all activities in the park.
Hunters please exercise EXTREME CAUTION with firearms at all times. This park is used by others throughout the hunting season. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use by properly licensed hunters only in authorized hunting areas and during those seasons park areas are open to hunting or under special conditions which may be established by the DCNR.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Trails: A 16-mile trail network invites you to explore. Explore trails for detailed descriptions of the trails.
Stay the Night
Camping: The 80 campsites each have a picnic table and a fire ring. Most can accommodate either a tent or a trailer. The area features a sanitary dump station and washhouses with flush toilets, showers and laundry tubs. Most sites have electrical hookups. The camping season begins the second Friday in April and ends after deer season in late December.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the modern campgroundCampground host site amenities include 20, 30, or 50-amp electric service with a water and sewer hookup. Hosts are required to assist the park personnel 40 to 56 hours week. A four-week minimum stay is required. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Cabins: From the second Friday in April until the end of deer season in late December, the park rents 13 rustic cabins. The cabins have minimal furnishings, kitchen stove, refrigerator, electric lights, a wood-burning stove and bunk beds. Six modern cabins are available year-round and have electric heat, bedrooms, living/dining room, kitchen and bath. Renters of rustic and modern cabins must supply their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots, pans and dinnerware. Cabins are available for weekly rental in summer and on a daily basis during other seasons. Explore the cabin map. Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation |
Organized Group Tenting: Adult or youth groups of up to 60 people may reserve the rustic group tenting area.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Ice Sports: Many enjoy ice skating on a maintained section of the lake off West Side Road. Ice fishing and iceboating are permitted on the rest of the lake. Be aware of the dangers of ice fishing. Check at the park office for ice conditions.
Cross-Country Skiing: All trails are open to cross-country skiers. Trails labeled below with cross-country skiing are recommended.
Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use Dry Hollow and Snowmobile trails and designated trails in the state forest after the end of deer season in late December. The Black Moshannon Snowmobile Club partners with the park.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
Families, individuals, schools and special request groups participate in the park's environmental interpretive program. Bog walks and stream studies provide understanding of aquatic ecosystems, wetlands and human influences. Obtain program schedules at the park office.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Concessions
A boat rental, a park store and a refreshment stand provide services to park visitors.
Access for People with Disabilities
Accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated throughout the park. Accessible restrooms are located at the campground, cabins, and the beach and food concessions areas. Access to the beach, campsites, cabins, Bog Trail and drinking fountains is available.
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer opportunities abound at Black Moshannon. If youve got an itch to be outdoors and doing something constructive, then please give us a call. We have needs in areas such as: Gardening (spring, summer, fall); Landscaping (spring, fall); Painting (spring, summer, fall); Litter Removal (all ages, spring, summer, fall); Wood Duck Box Monitor (spring, summer); Trail Projects (spring, summer fall); Special Skills - Photography, Historical Research, Artwork, Computer; Simple Construction - fencing, bat houses, bike racks, path lighting, Osprey nest box; Environmental Education and Interpretation - Activity Leaders (spring, fall), Guest Program Presenters (summer), Environmental Learning Center (ELC Bldg.) weekend volunteer; exhibit repair and/or construction. Special events like Earth Day, Annual Summer Festival, Lumber Day, Public Lands Care Day, and Winter Festival. Volunteers play a critical role in maintaining all the areas that need that personal touch. Give us a call and come on out to Black Moshannon State Park.
Explore for more information on volunteering for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.centralpacvb.org.
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Mount Nittany Medical Center
1800 East Park Avenue
State College, PA 16803
814-231-7000
For More Information Contact
Black Moshannon State Park
4216 Beaver Road
Philipsburg, PA 16866-9519
814-342-5960
Manager: D. Chris Reese
E-mail: blackmoshannonsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
