Not to be missed for the day tripper, hiker, boater, family... Well just about anybody! This is one of the last stands of virgin Hemlock in the state.
We spent 2 days in the Cook Forest state park, love it here! So much to do--we hiked with our dog on several of the scenic and beautifully maintained park trails, road bikes on the dirt roads, and checked out the amazing Clarion River on edge of park. This is a huge park so we wished had more time but plan to travel back here when we can. We really liked the trails in the Forest Cathedral natural area-awesome trees, trails have wide range of distance and difficultly so good for just about everyone, park was busy but we all had plenty of room and at times felt like we were the only couple on trails. The trail bridges were great especially swinging bridge over Toms run, all park areas very clean and felt completely safe here. Park is easy to find off I-80 and many family attractions nearby plus camping areas inside and just outside park, we stayed in Clarion area and drove back and forth to park each day which worked out well for us. Check out park's website for all the details. We plan to get back here soon, seems like this is a year round park with much to see and do no matter what the season. This is a very awesome park and we enjoyed entire area so much, am already planning next visit-just wish we lived closer. Thank You!!
What a great (and rare) opportunity to enjoy some original growth forest in PA. A cyclone went through in the 1950's and wiped out a lot of it, but still a significant amount left to be scene. Great trails - both easy and moderate. The Park staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Could easily spend an entire weekend hiking the trails.
There is plenty to do in Cooks Forest. You can either camp or rent one of the many cabins in the area. We have a cabin here so I have not personally stayed at any of them. However, I have gone to the Gateway Lodge for Breakfast, dinner and massages and it is a beautiful place and the food is great along with the massages if you want a spa day. Regarding the forest. Hiking is a must. Senica Point with Fire Tower is beautiful to see the across the mountain tops. Hiking the Cathedral has some steep parts, but the old grand trees are great. There are several hiking paths with variations in difficulty. We go off the beaten path for our older dogs. Canoeing or tubing down the Clarion River is fun. We have done this with our kids since they were very little (now in their 20's) There is horse back Riding several options. The one on Forest Drive in the Red Barn is very good, they are all expensive. Go deer spotting at night, or just relax around a campfire. It is really peaceful and a great place to just relax and unwind.
Trails are very well marked. Hiking was fantastic. Peaceful and beautiful. Nothing is marred by man. Huge trees that have never been cut. Awesome.
Fell in love with Cook Forest when my parents purchased a small cabin about 30 minutes away. Then I went to college at nearby Clarion University and got to enjoy it with friends. We live in Maryland now so we don't get the opportunity to get back much be have stayed at some of the B&B's a couple of times. Romantic and great outdoors stuff to do such as canoeing, swimming, hiking, a couple of stables for horseback riding, camping in cabins, tents or campers. The Clarion River runs right through the forest. LOVE Cook Forest in the fall especially. Hope to head back for the first time in years this fall.
Just seeing the huge trees worth trip. Lots of hiking trails thru old growth forest. Found one bike path in brief visit but only rode 1.5 miles. Neat log cabin with displays. Fall colors spectacular.
Loved hiking the trails, especially the Longfellow and the Cordouroy! 18 inches of snow made the forest spectacular!
As much as I hate the north anything, Cook Forest is such a beautiful place. I went canoeing down the river, and the view was just breathtaking. Just seeing the trees, hearing the calm water, was just so relaxing. The place is just amazing. I am definitely going back again to visit!
The trees are the attraction! Plenty of trails to meet anyone's abilities. Visit during any season. Shopping limited to tourist stuff for the most part.