About the Moshannon Valley
Nestled in the rolling meadows and green mountains, Moshannon Valley offers a quality of life hard to match. Here you’ll find quaint towns and villages, Victorian homes, and fine restaurants serving savory home-cooked meals. We invite you to sample the charm of our downtown shops or relax in one of our peaceful parks. Within a half hour to State College, we offer all the advantages of the big city – culture, art, historic sites – but without the crowds and high costs.
The Moshannon Valley is located atop the Allegheny Plateau, just north and west of the center of the state. The valley encompasses 422 square miles in Centre and Clearfield counties and has over 38,000 residents. Interstate 80 runs along the northern edge, and Interchanges 20 (Woodland) and 21 (Kylertown) provide access to our communities. Other major highways in the Valley include US 322, PA 53, and PA 350, which intersect in Philipsburg.
Philipsburg is the most populous community, with 3500 people living in the Borough, and about 2000 in surrounding areas. Other communities in the Valley are
Houtzdale and Osceola Mills, located southwest of Philipsburg, and Morrisdale and Kylertown located northwest of Philipsburg. The borough of Clearfield, on the western border of Moshannon Valley, is the Clearfield County Seat. Just beyond the Moshannon Valley is the University Park Campus of Penn State University, home of the Nittany Lions. It is located 23 miles southeast of Philipsburg. The Moshannon Valley is composed of 23 municipalities in two counties. The political boundary between the counties has existed almost since the Valley was first settled. In 1800 the Moshannon Creek became Centre County’s western border in 1804; the same creek became the eastern border of Clearfield County.
Outdoor Recreation
A walk through Moshannon Valley woods is a journey not of steps, but of spirit. Feel your troubles float away as you drift down a crystal clear stream or test your patience against the fish in Black Moshannon Lake. Walk silently over centuries-old Indian trails where you can almost hear the 
moccasin-clad Indians walking beside you. Set your spirits free as you speed down Moshannon Creek, with its sparkling white-water run. Or simply pack a picnic and head for the woods to share an afternoon with Mother Nature.
In winter as the lake begins to freeze, gather your mittens and pack your toboggans. Black Moshannon State Park offers groomed cross-country ski and snowmobile trails, sledding, and more. Over 50,000 acres of State Forests and State Game Lands are open for hunting small game, grouse, deer, turkey, and bear. Explore the woods in and around Moshannon Valley. You’ll never run out of things to see and do. There is always more to explore over the next mountain.
Things to Do
Located in the valley of Moshannon Creek, Philipsburg is a very active and family-oriented community. We have many fraternal, veterans, and civic-minded organizations. Philipsburg is the home of the Moshannon Valley YMCA, two youth theatre companies, little league baseball, basketball, soccer, and football, as well as dance studios, and martial arts dojos. There is a beautiful community park at Cold Stream Dam, and a nearby State Park at Black Moshannon. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school activities and clubs, church groups, and many more local organizations make Philipsburg a wonderful place to raise a family. Philipsburg is proud of its festivals and community events throughout the year which include Philipsburg Heritage Days for a week in July, Chocolate Fest each spring, Harvest Fest in the fall, Holiday Parade in December, a weekly Farmers’ Market, and many other weekend and weeknight events.
When it comes to golf, the Philipsburg Elks Country Club is well above par. The beautiful greens stretch as far as the eye can see. Relax later in the Clubhouse. Or head for Clear/Centre swimming pool in Osceola and be refreshed in the cool, clean waters.
The recently restored Simler House located on the corner of Second and Laurel Streets was the home of one of the original settlers of the Moshannon Valley. The Old Union Church on Presqueisle Street was built in 1820 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every summer, Philipsburg celebrates its history with Heritage Days. This annual event draws more than 15,000 people to Philipsburg to celebrate.