Black Moshannon State Park

Surrounded by more than 40,000 acres of Moshannon State Forest, Black Moshannon State Park offers a wilderness camping experience for dog lovers and their canine companions. Home to the 250-acre Black Moshannon Lake, which is named for its tea-colored waters, the park features a 73-site campground as well as great fishing, swimming, hiking, winter sports, and wildlife watching opportunities.

Pets are permitted on 29 of the campground's 73 sites, so make sure you select a pet-friendly site if reserving a spot in advance. Dogs must be leashed when not confined to your tent, camper, or vehicle, and there's a strict limit of two pets per site. As always, make sure you show courtesy to other campers and dispose of your pet's waste.

The campground also features 19 cabins and two cottages, but only one cabin and one cottage are pet-friendly. Extra fees apply if staying with your pet in either of these -- $5 a night for a pet-friendly cabin, or $3 a night for a pet-friendly cottage.

Pennsylvania state parks do not charge entrance fees, but camping/cabin fees vary depending on the type of accommodation you select. You'll also need to navigate around five miles of winding road to get to the park, so it may not be the ideal destination if you're towing a large trailer.

Once you've booked your stay, you can start planning your adventure. If you like hiking, there are 20 miles of trails to explore. The wooden boardwalk of the 0.5-mile Bog Trail allows you to explore the wetland and its many species of waterfowl, while the 0.7-mile Lake Loop offers pretty scenic vistas. For those who want more of a challenge, the 7.7-mile Moss-Hanne Trail leads you through diverse terrain and will definitely help you work up a sweat.

If water sports are more your speed, you can fish for a variety of warmwater species on the lake or target trout in Black Moshannon Creek. There are four boat launch/mooring areas and boat rentals are offered in summer, while there's also a swimming beach (where pets aren't permitted) if you want to take a dip.

Snowmobiling, ice skating, horseback riding, and mountain biking are also available in the park, so it's worth planning your trip in advance to ensure that you make the most of your visit.