Black Moshannon State Park — Attraction in Rush Township

My family was just threatened by a Park Ranger here.

Until recently, my family and I enjoyed this picturesue state park for the last dozen years or more. The rangers were knowledgeable and friendly. It had become our favored place to meet out-of-state family and friends.

While camping last weekend, some campers across the path had some strange psychological issues. As we live and let live, we neither fussed nor reported.

A red-headed female Park Ranger came by our camp and half-heartedly told us of a complaint. We repositioned our tents and vehicles as requested even though we were not actually in violation of the rules.

The next evening, we turned off our (not loud) music before 8pm (even though this was not reported to be a problem) and settled for stories and laughter around our campfire.

Minutes later, this same ranger angrily returned. She insulted a guest by calling him a drunkard before he finished his first sentence then refused to speak further with him. (He, like everyone else, was by no means inebriated.)

I emerged to speak with her, offering my full name and my hand. She placed her hand on her gun then looked with disdain at my hand, loudly announcing, "We're not doing that!" in front of everyone, several children included.

Everyone was very visibly unarmed, clean cut and accommodating. Realizing the utter shock caused by her faux-pas she then insisted on a fist bump. Nearly all of my gathered family and friends have several university degrees apiece, most of us are teachers, professors, counselors and other professionals.

This ranger then stated that she had several complaints and that I would be fined and my guests scrutinized. She claimed that we had several wine boxes laying about the campsite. She said that we were only allowed 10 campers (children are not included in this count).

For the record, there were 10 adults plus 5 kids and we brought one EMPTY cardboard winebox and a few other empty boxes (from an air mattress, and a few Office Depot boxes) for kindling. Based on comments from other campers, the 'several' complaints had obviously come from the one campsite.

After politely and quietly noting the count was obviously 10 plus the kids (everyone was standing in plain sight), she stormed off before I could say anything else.

As no one at the campsite ever carries a weapon, it was shocking to see a ranger escalating nothing into a situation while repeatedly grabbing her gun handle.

This was shocking to see for all of the adults and terrified the children. I'm still calmly reassuring my kids (both are on the honour roll at a top ten public school) that this is unheard of behaviour for a state police officer much less a park ranger and that it's still OK to trust rangers and police.

I will not, however, endanger my family by returning to this state park while such behaviour is tolerated by officials carrying weapons.

In consideration of the Park Ranger's false statements and hostility, we decamped and departed within the hour.

This ranger in no way investigated nor allowed any conversation. I'm almost 50, a father of 2, married and no one assembled has any sort of police record (in fact, most are certified by the feds and 3 state agencies being educators and counselors!)

I can forgive a lack of experience but I've never even heard of a rookie acting so recklessly with a gun and a badge. Such behaviour was not only reckless but grossly undermines public trust and the credibility of other rangers.

I'd hate to see the lady lose her job but, she's definitely not stable enough to carry a weapon for the state. Basic encounter training as an officer would be...

We stayed here one night (had planned to spend 2) mid-November. The trip up to the park from the interstate (from the east) was an adventure climbing the mountains and twists and sharp turns. The park was not crowded and everyone was evenly spaced out through self-selection. We stayed in Site 23. I believe that it is a pull through site, but wasn’t able to check because the internet was spotty. We were able to level our 30’ unit, but the site had some incline to it especially going in to it. We ended up not staying because our heat and hot water was not working in our trailer. Because of that we did make use of the park showers. They were clean and had plenty of hot water and water pressure. The bathroom did have a significant smell. I couldn’t tell if it was sewer gas or sulfur in the water. Because of this and the temperature (below freezing), we did not access the water or the sewer in our full-hookup site. The return to the interstate was an interesting drive as well (going west). Narrower road and one lane bridges. The park was beautiful. It looks as if there are plenty of hiking and water activities. As a winter camping spot. It had the bases covered. Although cell service was not great, our mobile internet device (Verizon) did manage to provide us scrolling, texting and email. I would have to know the status of the water quality to stay for a more extended period and to give...

Beautiful area with a nice mix of hiking trails. Didn't use the beach area, but walked through. It was clean, and well kept. The campground had a nice selection of sites both for, & without pets, also a few drive through sites. The fire pit had a grate, but unfortunately it isn't adjustable, so it makes cooking over the fire a bit difficult. Also, it would be great if the fire ring pits were cleaned out regularly, as some people don't carry a shovel or know to do so for that purpose. The restrooms were modernized with auto on lights when you walk in, hand dryers, & auto flush toilets. The showers were nice & hot. Cleaning of the shower drain really needed done as the one I used had a giant glob of hair that was the size of a hamster, but otherwise the bathrooms were decently maintained. There were a lot of picnic areas that had charcoal grills & plenty of tables to accommodate large groups. The playground looked nice and well kept, but it's not something we use. As the website states, there is ZERO service in the campground or general area. it was blissful. I plan to stay here again....