Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Black Moshannon State Park protects forests and bogs around a tea-colored lake near Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. An accessible boardwalk offers a close view of the wetlands, while seasonal swimming, boating, and camping provide longer visits. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages the park.

Start with the bog boardwalk

The 0.3-mile Bog Trail is an easy out-and-back walk with an ADA accessible boardwalk. Enter from Boating Area 3 for ADA access. Interpretive panels explain wetland life among sphagnum moss, leatherleaf, sedges, and carnivorous plants.

Choose the right season and permit

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Plan without depending on cell service

Download the park map before traveling because cell service can be unpredictable. Swim at your own risk and follow posted beach rules. In an emergency, call 911 and contact a park employee.

Keep pets in designated areas

Pets must remain physically controlled and attended, using a leash, cage, or crate. They are prohibited in swimming areas and non-pet overnight areas. Electronic control devices and temporary fencing do not replace physical restraint. Clean up pet waste. The state park pet rules explain the designated areas and exceptions.

Book overnight facilities and check boat permits

Use the reservation link on the official Black Moshannon park page or call 888-727-2757, Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Motorboats need current registration. Non-powered boats need registration, a Pennsylvania state-park launch or mooring permit, or a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launch permit.

Reach the park from Philipsburg

The park office is at 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg, PA 16866-9519. From Philipsburg, take US 322 east, turn onto PA 504, and continue eight miles to the park. The official page provides other approaches and downloadable maps.

Nearby parks

Bald Eagle State Park is reached along PA 150 between Milesburg and Lock Haven, with an entrance at 149 Main Park Road near Howard. Whipple Dam State Park lies south of State College, reached by turning east from PA 26 at its signed entrance. Both offer road access for a separate day trip.

Walk, paddle, or use the seasonal beach

The park has 20 miles of trails. The official hiking descriptions distinguish short wetland walks from longer routes. Bog Trail visitors can return along Westside Road to make a 0.5-mile loop.

On the 250-acre lake, only electric motors are allowed, and boats must travel at slow, no-wake speed. Gas-powered motors are prohibited. Review the lake boating rules before launching. Summer boat rentals and an accessible launch at Boating Area 1 are available.

The sand beach is ADA accessible, and a beach wheelchair is available on request. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. Use designated adjacent smoking areas. See the official swimming information for its season and rules.

Match the overnight option to your needs

The campground has 73 sites with tables, fire rings, and lantern holders. Some have electric or full hookups, and some are ADA accessible. Showers, flush toilets, water stations, laundry machines, and a dump station serve the campground during its season. Pets are allowed only on designated sites.

Modern cabins have kitchens, showers, heat, and air conditioning. Bring your own linens, towels, and kitchenware. Summer rentals are weekly, with a two-night minimum in other seasons. Cabins 16 and 19 are ADA accessible. The overnight facility guide explains each accommodation type. Backpack camping is permitted only on the Moshannon State Forest sections of the Allegheny Front Trail.

Why the lake looks like tea

The park covers 3,394 acres of woodland and wetlands. Water flowing through sphagnum moss and other bog plants picks up tannins, which produce the lake’s dark color. Surrounding Moshannon State Forest adds a larger forest setting.

Wetland plants and waterfowl

The Bog Trail boardwalk provides views of wetland plants and opportunities to observe waterfowl. Stay on the constructed route while exploring this habitat.

Park office

Contact Black Moshannon State Park at 814-342-5960 or [email protected]. The office address is 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg, PA 16866-9519.