Another great visit to cook forest in the books!!! I grew up, coming to cook forest and fall in love again every time I visit. The fire tower is an absolute must, and although there are trails to take to reach the fire tower, I love the drive through the forest, the best. Since many are visiting the fire tower along with Seneca point I always try and visit earlier in the mornings when there's not a lot of people. I also am a fan of the lodging in the area. The cabins (River & McBeth) are very affordable & comfortable and sometimes we even stay nearby in Brookville. A lot to book up fast but they do have availability from time to time so even if its last minute, still check their websites. The sawmill is so fun to shop at as well as Parkers Indian trading Post. We love Cook Forest & will always return!! read more

I love visiting Cook Forest State Park! If you enjoy being outdoors, this is a place you should add to your bucket list. There is truly something here for everyone. If you're the hiking type, there are 52 miles of trails to explore. If you're a birder, you'll definitely want to grab your binoculars and check out different parts of the park, as numerous birds inhabit the forest. If you prefer spending a day on the water, you can go swimming in the Clarion River, as well as rent kayaks, canoes, and river tubes. It's not hard to find a good spot to fish, and in the winter you can also enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, and ice-skating. In my case, Cook Forest is just a couple of hours away - a day trip isn't out of the question. Still, it's so much nicer to spend an entire weekend in this beautiful place. Fortunately, that's pretty easy to do! Campgrounds and log cabins alike are available within the park. The cabins are very popular, but have no fear: there are hotels within driving distance of the park as well. Do keep in mind that cell service is not guaranteed here; this is totally OK in my book, but it does mean that having a rough idea of where you'll be driving is essential. Grab a map or write down some directions from Google Maps - then go forth and enjoy your time in this beautiful place! read more

See all

This is a tough thing to rank when you try and think about everything a state park brings to the table so let me give this a try here. First off cook Forest preserves some of the most pristine forests you'll find this side of the Mississippi and you'll find trees older than America itself, the trails are all well maintained (I've prob done around 30 miles of the trails in the park) and there is even a ton of touristy things for the kids to do around the area. My main issue is the campground and facilities are so dated, I'm a big state park guy, I usually visit 2-3 different parks a month and I have to say this has some of the worst facilities I've seen in the park system and that shocked me given how popular this park really is. So beautiful park with great trails and scenery, but awful facilities besides the new visitor center. Also make sure to check out the swinging bridge and find the old "waterfall" read more

Cook Forest State Park - Parks Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

What a charming park! There's lots of fun hiking trails. We drove in kind of on a whim to camp, and the park office staff person was incredibly friendly and helpful, even booking one of her "favorite" campsites for us. Some of the oldest trees in the state are in this parking. They're more than 300 years old. Apparently Pennsylvania had a major lumbering industry and the trees were spared by Mr. Cook, thus creating Pennsylvania's first state park. #funfacts read more

See all

Loved this whole park! All trails were so clean, well marked and so scenic. We really enjoyed the Seneca viewpoint, Fire tower, forest cathedral! It was especially cool to be able to drive right up to the Fire Tower/Seneca trail! As far as national parks go, this one is way up there! read more

Out of all of the state parks in PA, OH and NY that I've been to, so far Cooks is my favorite. The state park campground is laid back, nice campsites for both those that like a flat, grass site and for those who prefer a shaded, wood site. Clean restrooms. The town as a whole is so peaceful. Hardly any cell service which is perfect when getting away. The river is perfect to kayak or tube down. Good fishing. Good hiking. Everyone is so kind in this area. read more

This is a great place with so much to do. Highly recommend going in October, it's not as busy and the fall is just beautiful. Make sure to see Clear Creek and Beartown rocks while you're there! read more

See all

Ok. In the name of transparency I will say that I am not a die-hard hiker, but that is not nearly all offered by a visit to Cook Forest! I am an photography enthusiast and Cook Forest, in addition to being 6 miles from where I grew up, is one of my favorite photography models. There's the obvious: Clarion River, beautiful forest trails and scenic rest areas. There are interesting businesses nestled in, too, like the canoe livery and Forest Café (Hershey's ice cream!!). They blend in well and have been in place for years (way). Less obvious: the local eagle which nests on the river, the Cook Mausoleum and the Fire Tower overlooking Seneca Point. There are soft ball games, bicycling, picnics and river tubing in the summer; ice skating and a snow-man building festival in the winter. Spring and fall are obviously when the Forest struts its stuff. Being a one-time local, I know of the camping and cabins, but beyond working there in summers through high school, cannot comment. Watch your speed and enjoy this State Park - she's big and she's beautiful! AND TAKE YOUR CAMERA! read more

See all

In my opinion this is Pennsylvania's most beautiful state park. Cook Forest has ample opportunities for people to have a great time: You can take a relaxing Canoe ride down the Clarion river by renting a canoe from one of the many outfitters. If your in the mood for a hike Cook Forest offers beautiful trails through large Pines as well as the area known as the Forest Cathedral which plays host to the largest tree's in Pennsylvania! The Long distance North Country Trail passes through the park as well heading north to the Allegheny National Forest. For a unique adventure you can climb the fire tower or check out Seneca Point Overlook! The campground is also beautiful in Cook Forest offering both Tent and RV sites with a beautiful pine backdrop! Overall Cook forest is a great place to spend the weekend, and is a great place for families. Be sure to stop in at MacBeths General Store, and get a few treats for yourself as well. You don't have to take my opinion...Go see it for yourself. read more

We spent a long weekend here this past week. What a fun and relaxing time. We visted the State park and walked along some nature trails through the forest. We also climbed the fire tower. This is an old tower that is about 200 feet high. At the top, you can see the entire river valley. Can't wait to go back again. read more

I went to Cooks Forest State Park two times in the past two years. Last year in the end of Sept and stayed in a trailer home with my fiance at the time and her family. The trailer home was very cheap but the beds looked dirty and smelled bad. The bathrooms were dirty and the heater didn't work. The camping ground was very nice, clean and pretty quite. It was enjoyable staying for the weekend. I also went last Sunday with my wife, her family and a couple friends for the day. First went to the river where there was tubing, kayaking, and open Fields to enjoy. We later went to Beartown rocks where there are large boulders that look neat and some its fun to climb up them. Just be careful though. Also has a nice view of the mountains. After that went to the Fire Tower where it's a old tall tower they used to use to stop forest fires. Climbing up that was fun and had a great view once you got the the top. Seneca Point also had a great view on the mountain side. We later went to are camp site (can't remember the name of it) were for around 20 dollars got a nice little camp site. The only thing I really didn't like, was the bathrooms were dirty and smelled so bad in most of them. Can't wait to go back, there is so much more to do. read more

Cook Forest State Park - Great view from the fire tower - Parks Near Me - Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

See all

Absolutely gorgeous scenery! We hiked several trails and the big trees are breathtaking. It truly feels enchanted in the forest. You can rent a canoe or tube and float down the river and several unique little shops are on the same road as the park entrance. I love it and return as often as possible. read more

I have been going here for a long time and I continue to enjoy it every year. The cabins I have stayed at are very nice and by a creek. Cooks Forest has a Ice Cream Store, and a store with lots of small items to buy. It has hiking trails, and a deer park nearby. You can also bike there, and there are parks near by. Great vacationing spot for people who love the outdoors. read more

Each year, the wife and I pack up the kids (our two cocker doodles) and set off to these parks in search of the mysteries the night skies have to offer. Well, here at Cook's Forest we sat yawning at the bleak display they had for their scenic view and watched the sun set over our visors. I thought the star-scape was okay but Val had no sort of twinkle in her eyes. Anyways, the beam of light came down as usual and lifted us up to their craft. The chrome room they had us in didn't even have so much as one measly chair. Just these slab tables with other naked travelers just as disappointed as we were. My first thought was "Really? Surgical implanting machines with large needles surrounding the table?" I know, such an eyesore. Val said after that her reptilian hybrid birthing procedure was hardly fear inducing next to the Insectoid incision we had in 08 at Yellowstone. Overall, the most drab abduction we ever experienced. Happy to say we won't be returning to Cook's Forest and if you're serious sky seekers like us; it's best to skip over it. read more