Bog and lake: two state parks in a day
Up the Allegheny Front to a view of the valley, across Black Moshannon’s bog and lake on the plateau, then down to Bald Eagle State Park and a night at its lakeside inn: two state parks near Julian, Pennsylvania in one day.
Two state parks, one ridge apart: Black Moshannon’s bog and tea-colored lake on the plateau to the west of Julian, Pennsylvania, and Bald Eagle’s big lake, beach and Nature Inn to the north. This day does both, with the view from the Allegheny Front first.
It is a full day. The published park guide calls one park the more relaxed first visit, so check live directions and daylight before you commit to the second, and shorten the day if it stops being fun.
Scroll to travel. The map flies with you between stops and circles each one while you read.
Ralph's Majestic Vista
Parks & Outdoors
A rock outcrop on the Allegheny Front Trail in Moshannon State Forest, looking out over the Bald Eagle Valley toward Julian and State College.
Park at the gravel pull-off on Underwood Road, a compacted-dirt state-forest road off PA 504, and walk 0.6 miles. Ralph’s Pretty Good View is 0.2 miles farther: about 1.4 miles round trip for both.
Black Moshannon Bog Trail
Parks & Outdoors
A plateau peat bog with a boardwalk through it. The Bog Trail is boardwalk and gravel, about a quarter mile each way from Westside Road to a viewing platform: pitcher plants, leatherleaf, cranberry and blueberry. The bog’s tannins are what color the lake.
Black Moshannon Lake
Parks & Outdoors
Black Moshannon Lake is flat water and the easiest paddle in the area. Boat Launch #1 is the main launch: electric motors only, with seasonal kayak and canoe rental at the boat concession beside it. Verify its hours with the park office. It is not Boating Area 3, the boardwalk’s approach.
Bald Eagle State Park
Parks & Outdoors
Bald Eagle State Park is 5,900 acres on the 1,730-acre Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, at the foot of Bald Eagle Mountain: two campgrounds, a beach, boat launches, and the best birding in the valley.
Choose the activity before the arrival point: the park office, a boat launch and a beach serve different trips, and swimming is seasonal. Check the park’s current notices.
Hublersburg Inn
Eat & Drink
A gastropub in an 1800s hotel near Bald Eagle State Park: the go-to dinner after a day on Sayers Lake.
The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle
Stay
The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle is a LEED Gold lakeside inn inside the park: 16 rooms, hot breakfast and birding programs.
Book it as its own decision: a park visit does not mean a room is free. It is the valley’s premier stay for football and graduation weekends, when State College sells out, so book early for those.