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Philipsburg, PA
Change City

Black Moshannon State Park

4216 Beaver Road
Philipsburg, PA 16866

814-342-5960

Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands and conserves unique, natural environments. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting that provides recreational opportunities in all seasons.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.Hiking at Black Moshannon State Park20 miles of trailsThe trails pass though all of the varied habitats of the park.Seneca, Indian, Bog, and Hay Road trails and a short section of the Moss-Hanne Trail are connected, making them suitable for loop hikes.Blueberry Trail1 mile loop, easiest hikingGet a taste of the Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area on this short loop. Parking is available at the Mid-State Airport. The trail's abundant berries attract a variety of wildlife and bird species.Bog Trail0.3 mile, 0.5 mile full loop, easiest hikingA wooden boardwalk stretches out into the bog at Black Moshannon State Park. Take the boardwalk to explore a wetland dominated by sphagnum moss and leatherleaf, and accented by sedges, rushes, carnivorous plants, and lilies.Observe waterfowl and other wildlife along the trail.Wayside panels tell the surprising story of bogs and other park wetlands.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Access for people with disabilities is at Boating Area 3.GPS DD: Lat. 40.9014 Long. -78.05775Hay Road Trail1.1 miles, easiest hikingThis grassy old road eases through a mature mixed-oak forest with a black cherry understory and once was used by farmers who harvested marsh grasses.Indian Trail1 mile, more difficult hikingThis trail leads travelers through changing scenery of open oak woods, pines, clearings, and an unusual grove of hawthorns.Lake Loop Trail0.7 mile, easiest hikingThis flat loop connects two bridges for an easy walk along the lake’s lower shoreline. The trail offers a visit to the dam and the beach. Please walk pets to the back of the beach house.Moss-Hanne Trail7.7 miles, more difficult hikingOn its way through the Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area, this trail travels through pine plantations, hemlock bottomlands, wetland edges, hardwood forests, grassy openings, blueberry patches, and beaver ponds.Waterproof footwear is recommended since some sections are often wet.Two boardwalk sections allow exploration of a big marsh and an alder swamp.The best blueberries are found near this trail from mid-June to mid-August.Seneca Trail0.8 mile, easiest hikingThis trail weaves through a typical second growth forest of oak and cherry, which shades stumps of pine that were logged out over a century ago.Shingle Mill Trail3.67 miles (2 miles within the park), more difficult hikingThis path ventures from the parking area near the dam and follows beautiful Black Moshannon Creek. The trail continues north of the Huckleberry Road bridge and connects to the Allegheny Front Trail.Ski Slope Trail2 miles, most difficult hikingThe trail passes through a forest as it treks up Rattlesnake Mountain. Enjoy the views from the highest point in the park, including an old ski slope.At the PA 504 crossing, try to decipher the old Philadelphia-Erie Turnpike mile marker.Sleepy Hollow Trail1.2-mile loop, more difficult hikingExplore a hemlock-birch forest and woodlands of cherry and oak. This trail is recommended for spring wildflowers.Look for evidence of a 1984 selective timber cut. Harvested trees were killed by years of gypsy moth defoliation. New growth provides good food and cover for turkey, deer, and songbirds.The trail starts near Pavilion 1.Snowmobile Trail1.1 miles, easiest hikingThis trail connects to gravel roads and trails open to snowmobiles, horses, and mountain bikes on surrounding Moshannon State Forest land.Use the Beach Parking Lot which is plowed in winter. This grassy old road provides a trip through an oak woods with an open understory.Star Mill Trail2.1-mile loop, easiest hikingWith fine views of the lake and opportunities to see wildlife, this trail travels through pines, a climax forest of beech and hemlock, and an uncommon stand of balsam fir.Look for evidence of Star Mill, a sawmill built in 1879.Tent Hill Trail0.2 mile, more difficult hikingBegin near Campsite 22. This trail drops down to the lake shoreline and connects the campground with Lake Loop Trail.Allegheny Front Trail40 miles, most difficult hikingThis trail encircles the park, traversing 40 miles of the Allegheny Plateau. The trail is rocky and rugged on its the way to five mountain trout streams and eleven vistas in Moshannon State Forest. The Allegheny Front Trail is ideal for backpacking or a day hike on any segment.Picnicking at Black Moshannon State ParkThere are 250 picnic tables provided in four picnic areas.Eight picnic pavilions, some with electricity, may be reserved for a fee, or when unreserved, may be used on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. ADA accessible pavilions and tables are available.Stay the Night at Black Moshannon State ParkCampingFlush toilets, warm showers, electric hook-upsThe 73 campsites each have a picnic table and a fire ring. Most sites can accommodate either a tent or a trailer.Many sites have electrical hookups. Some sites have full service hook up, which includes sewer, water, and electricity.Pets are permitted on designated sites.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Some campsites are ADA accessible.The campground features:Washhouses with flush toiletsShowersCoin-operated laundry machinesSanitary dump stationSwimming at Black Moshannon State ParkThis activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA accessible sand beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset.Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.GPS DD: Lat. 40.91622 Long. -78.05909Smoke-Free BeachSmoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:CigarettesPipesCigarsE-cigarettes, and other handheld, lighted smoking devicesWildlife Watching at Black Moshannon State ParkBlack Moshannon State Park is high atop the Allegheny Front and enjoys cool summer days and cold winters due to the unique geology of the area.Two features chill the park:High elevationSlight basin shape that traps cooler, heavier airBecause of this, many plants and animals that are normally only observed farther north, like leatherleaf and Canada warblers, can be seen in the park.The wildlife you observe depends greatly on the habitat types you visit and your observation techniques. Look for wildlife in the wealth of different woodland and wetland types, along shorelines, and in edges where one habitat borders another.Mornings and evenings, when many animals are active, are great times for viewing many species. Be quiet and leave pets at home. Walking slowly along trails, like Star Mill and Sleepy Hollow, is best, especially to see songbirds. Reading wildlife signs, such as tracks and droppings, can add to your enjoyment. Take part in park environmental interpretive programs or use a wildlife watching book to enhance your understanding and skill.Boating at Black Moshannon State ParkElectric motors onlyThe 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake has 87 mooring spaces and four boat launch/mooring areas.Boat rentals are available during the summer season.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Boating Area #1 is ADA accessible.IceboatingMost of the lake is open for iceboating. A state park launch permit is required for iceboats.Ice thickness is not monitored for this activity.Fishing at Black Moshannon State ParkThe 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake provides habitat for warmwater fish.Below the lake, Black Moshannon Creek contains trout. Trout anglers can enjoy their sport in several nearby streams, especially Six Mile Run.A Delayed Harvest - Artificial Lures Only area is designated on 1.3 miles of Black Moshannon Creek from the state park boundary to 0.3 mile downstream of the Huckleberry Road bridge.This activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA accessible fishing pier is on the western shore of the lake.Ice FishingExcept for the ice skating area, all of the 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake is open for ice fishing.Popular species caught through the ice are:Yellow perchBluegillPikeCrappieLargemouth bassIce thickness is not monitored for this activity.Hunting at Black Moshannon State ParkFrom the day after Labor Day through March 31, more than 3,000 acres are open to:HuntingTrappingTraining of dogsCommon game species are:DeerWild turkeyBearGrouseSquirrelHunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.Mountain Biking at Black Moshannon State ParkSleepy Hollow and Star Mill trails offer convenient, short loops to bikers. Ski Slope Trail provides a challenge to mountain bikers.Snowmobile Trail provides access to additional trails for mountain biking in Moshannon State Forest. State forest roads (unpaved) are also open to biking.Biking is prohibited on all other park trails.Horseback Riding at Black Moshannon State ParkSnowmobile Trail provides access to many miles of equestrian trails in Moshannon State Forest.Cross-Country Skiing at Black Moshannon State ParkAll trails are open to cross-country skiers. Recommended trails are marked with the cross-country skier symbol on the map.Ice Skating at Black Moshannon State ParkWhen conditions allow, an area of the lake by Boating Area #1 is maintained for ice skating.Snowmobiling at Black Moshannon State ParkAfter the end of deer season in late December, conditions permitting, registered snowmobiles may use:Benner Run RoadShirks RoadSnowmobile TrailFood Concession RoadA small portion of the Sleepy Hollow Trail for access to cabin areaDesignated trails in Moshannon State Forest

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