National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Black Moshannon State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
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 -merican Indians called this watershed "Moss-Hanne," meaning "moose stream," thus the origin of the parks 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.
Camping
Picnicking
Boating
Swimming
Fishing and Hunting
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.
Hunting
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 -lso 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.