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Nearby Parks:
Clear Creek State Park
Kittanning State Forest
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| State Park Overview: |
 | The 7,182-acre Cook Forest State Park lies in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania. Once called the "Black Forest," the area is famous for its stands of old growth forest. Cook Forest's "Forest Cathedral" of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark. The Clarion River is the eastern border of the park and is popular for canoeing and rafting. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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THE BEST FOR YEARS
ITS BEEN THE BEST FOR THE FIFTY YEARS THAT
I HAVE GONE THERE
Written by MARGARET
13-May-2008
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| Camping: |
| Camping: modern sites, some with electric
Part of Ridge Campground is open year-round. Winter access is not guaranteed. Modern restrooms with showers are available late May through early October. The 226 tent and trailer campsites have a picnic table and fire ring, and six sites are ADA accessible. There is a sanitary dump station and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Organized Group Tenting:
Organized groups can rent this rustic area from the second Friday in April to late December. The five sites each accommodate 20 people. |
| Trails: |
| Hiking: 29 miles of trails
Enjoy the beauty of Cook Forest by hiking on one of 27 marked trails. The terrain is of rolling hills and cool valley streams. Special scenic areas are the old growth forest, Fire Tower/Seneca Point and the Clarion River. Overnight camping within the park is only permitted in the campground or cabin areas. Trail maps and descriptions are available at the park office.
Part of the 140-mile Baker Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail pass through Cook Forest. The Baker Trail runs from Freeport, in southern Armstrong County, to the Allegheny National Forest. The North Country Trail is under development and will connect the Missouri River in North Dakota with the Adirondack Mountains in New York.
Biking:
Bikes are permitted on all one-way, dirt roads within the park. Biking on hiking trails is not permitted except on the part of the Heffern Run Trail that is part of the Bicycle Route. All children under 12 years of age are required to wear a helmet when biking. Bikes ridden at night must have a light on the bike.
The Bicycle Route is 11.5 miles long and follows lightly traveled roads within the park and Heffern Run Trail. The route is of moderate difficulty with long flat areas and rolling hills. Highlights of the route are a leisurely four-mile flat ride through scenic Tom's Run Valley, CCC-era red and white pine plantations along Forest Drive and a challenging descent along the Heffern Run Trail. A description of the Bicycle Route is available at the park office.
Horseback Riding:
Two designated bridle trails and portions of Brown's Run Trail comprise 4.5 miles of trails for horseback riding. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnic tables are along the Clarion River in the River Cabin Picnic Area, in the Sawmill Area and near the exit of Fire Tower Road. Two large picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. There are accessible restrooms and picnic tables near both picnic pavilions. |
| Swimming: |
| The swimming pool is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, unless posted otherwise. Depths range from 2.5 feet to 5 feet. A circular wading pool is adjacent to the large pool. Fee charged for pool use. Discounts are offered to campers. The pool area is accessible, and the pool is equipped with a lift. Vending machines have snacks and beverages. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
The Clarion River flows along the park border and provides fishing for trout, warm-water game fish and panfish. About 2.5 miles of Tom's Run is stocked with trout. A special fishing pond stocked with trout is by the park office and is available for use by children 12 and younger and people with a disability. A level grass bank at the edge of the pond provides easy access.
Hunting and Firearms:
About 7,200 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and squirrel.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Cook Forest State Park and The Cook Forest Sawmill Art Center - Cook Forest State Park and The Cook Forest Sawmill Art Center - No Summary |
| Nature Programs: |
| Programs for all ages are offered March to December. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be scheduled in advance by calling the park office.
A weekly interpretive schedule is available at the park office. The park has an environmental learning center in the Log Cabin Inn at the Main Picnic Area. The Historical Room displays logging and rafting tools, models and artifacts. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Kalyumet Campground
8628 Miola Rd
Lucinda, PA
(814) 744-9622
| White's Haven Campground & Cabins
3058 Cathers Run Rd
Clarington, PA
(814) 752-2205
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Forest County Sports Ctr
311 Elm St
Tionesta, PA
(814) 755-3744
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Cook Riverside Cabins Inc
River Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8300
| Forest View Cabins
Cementary Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8413
| Clarion River Lodge & Riverview Suites
River Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8171
| Stonecrest Cabins Cook Fo
96 Tylersburg Rd
Leeper, PA
(814) 744-8458
| Stonecrest Cabins
Cooks Frst
Leeper, PA
(814) 744-8458
| Pine Crest Cabins
1413425 Route 36
Clarington, PA
(814) 752-2200
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| Directions: |
| From the east, take Exit 78 off of Interstate 80, then PA 36 north directly to the park in Cooksburg.
From the west, take Exit 60 off of Interstate 80, then take PA Route 66 north to Leeper. From Leeper, follow PA Route 36 south, seven miles to the park. |
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