Cook Forest State Park is one of the finest examples of the best of mankind and nature coming together to create something wonderful. Pennsylvania's forests were largely clearcut by the time the 19th and early 20th century came around. A few people in the lumber industry realized this and fought hard to preserve some small tracts of land from being fully cut down. This forward thinking kept these tracts private and away from other lumber companies. These tracts, some of finest of which are located at Cook Forest State Park, and a little further north at Allegheny National Forest's Hearts Content Natural Area, have been opened up for enjoyment to all of the public. During the Great Depression, mankind came through again with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC built some wonderful facilities at the state park, including cabins, picnic shelters, trail and road improvements, and more, in order to make this spectacular place more accessible for everyone. While doing these wonderful things, it also provided jobs to the scores of young men that were unemployed during the Great Depression.
I generally end up taking a million photos when exploring a place. I took a bunch of pictures as I usually do, but at Cook Forest I tend to find myself so enthralled by the beauty of the forest that I usually end up taking less photos than I typically do. The best thing to do at Cook Forest is to just go and spend a whole afternoon/day hiking around the state park. There are more than enough trails to go through the entire state park and take in the sights and just soak in the majesty of nature.
In addition to the beautiful forests, the trails have some semi-rigorous elevation change and they vary from following the edge of babbling creeks, up steep hillsides, and along the side of the relaxing Clarion River. Clear Creek State Park, Beartown Rocks, and more are a really short and scenic drive away from the state park.
The highlight to visit at Cook Forest State Park is the park's National Natural Landmark, the Forest Cathedral, which is home to the oldest and largest of the trees at the park and on the entire East Coast.
Forest Cathedral Trailhead Coordinates:
- 41.33785, -79.21396
41.33785, -79.21396
Fire Tower and Seneca Rocks Coordinates:
Winter Parking Area (Requires 1.5 Mile Hike in Either Direction)
41.33644, -79.22308
- 41.33644, -79.22308
Summer Parking Area: (Requires hike of a few hundred feet, relatively flat but not ADA suitable)
41.32176, -79.21206
My other favorite highlights at the park include the Fire Tower and Seneca Point Rocks Scenic Overlooks. Also neat to see are the new Paved Sensory Path, and the Henry Run Sawmill Dam, where the old water chute creates a waterfall like effect as the water goes through the old waterfall trough into the Clarion River.
Paved Sensory Path Coordinates:
41.35242, -79.22137
Henry Run Sawmill Dam Coordinates (follow Baker Trail along the Clarion River to access. From the park side, you can access the trail from Fire Tower Road)
41.32099, -79.22678
We usually launch off onto the trails into the Forest Cathedral from a different spot each time we go. We stopped right off of Forest Road onto one of the trailheads for the North Country Trail. This trail goes from the Midwest from Vermont through South Dakota. The trail takes hikers through some gorgeous places in Northwestern PA, including McConnells Mill State Park, Cook Forest State Park, and Allegheny National Forest. It leads right through Forest Cathedral.
Steps leading down towards the creek.
Brit and CeCe taking in the scenery.
Did I mention how bucolic Cook Forest State Park is?
Hiking in a winter wonderland is one of the most relaxing and invigorating things that I know of.
Not to mention that CeCe's absolute favorite thing is playing in the snow.
Heading into Forest Cathedral. It is such a breathtaking place.
For more background about the park and views from a springtime visit, check out this article.
A look at the Log Cabin, which is home to some antique logging equipment and history.
Walking along the creek.
A view of the frozen Clarion River. This was from the winter of 2019. There was less snow that winter in the park, but it was colder overall.
The Fire Tower Lookout provides a stunning scenic overlook, along with the nearby rock outcroppings at Seneca Point. You can drive pretty close to them during the summer season, but in the winter, the road is closed to access by motor vehicles. The hike is about 1.5 miles each direction, out and back, along the road, which I highly recommend. I just used hiking boots on this trek, but other people snowshoed along the road.
The hike is pretty, heading through some beautiful second growth forests that are maturing,
along with lots of freshly planted saplings...
and rhododendrons.
The closer you get to Seneca Point, the larger the boulders get.
Approaching Seneca Point...
You can see the Clarion River Valley come into view as you get closer to the Point.
The absolute quiet in this spot, especially on a winter day, is just amazing.
Our first view of the water level on the Clarion River, though it is hard to tell because of how frozen the water was in this picture.
Here you can see the winding meanders of the Clarion River Valley.
Just a few hundred feet away from Seneca Point is the Fire Tower. This is one of the few in the state that is open to visitors. While the top room of the tower is not open, you can climb up all of the stairs to see a tremendous view of the Clarion River Valley and Cook Forest State Park. More of these fire towers should be opened up like this to visitors, especially the one at Ricketts Glen. Many of State Parks and State Forests have abandoned fire towers that should be open to visitors.
Heading up the steps!
The following is a list of the official hiking trails throughout Cook Forest State Park, thanks to the state park office. There are more than 47 miles of developed trails throughout the state park.
Maps to see the locations of these trails can be found through this Trail Guide and the Clarion River Lands Trail Guide
Cook Forest State Park: Hiking Only (Excluding Forest Cathedral Area)
Baker Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail
12 miles within the park, more difficult hiking
Two long-distance trails, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) and the Baker Trail, pass through Cook Forest State Park, following the same 12-mile stretch through the Forest Cathedral, passing Seneca Point, and meandering by the Clarion River.
The 140-mile Baker Trail (blazed yellow) runs from Freeport, PA, through the Allegheny National Forest.
The NCT (blazed blue) is America’s longest national scenic trail at 4,600 miles, running from New York to North Dakota. Several named park trails follow along the NCT/Baker Trail route and are listed below.
Black Bear Trail
1.1 miles, easiest hiking
This flat loop trail begins and ends at the Sawmill Center for the Arts. Look for black bear claw marks on trees.
Browns Run Trail
2.0 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail parallels Browns Run from Toms Run Road to Forest Road. Due to its low usage, it is a wonderful trail for wilderness hiking, hunting, and birding, particularly for the flute-like songster thrushes.
Camp Trail
2.0 miles, most difficult hiking
The most traveled section of this steep trail links the Ridge Campground to Breezemont Drive near the Log Cabin Environmental Learning Classroom (ELC). Pay particular attention at trail intersections as this trail splits near the campground.
Cook Trail
2.0 miles, more difficult hiking
This lightly used loop trail winds through a magnificent stand of old growth timber. Keep watch for tall white pines, large hemlocks, oaks, black gums, relict American chestnut snags from the early 1920s, and a 1930s dynamite shack built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The trail can be accessed in three locations: across from River Cabin #12, at the River Picnic Area, and via a short spur trail on Cemetery Road.
Corduroy Trail
1.2 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail connects the Ridge Campground and the Liggett Trail along Toms Run. This pleasant hike crosses over Breezemont Drive, passing large American beech and Eastern hemlock. Pay attention at intersections as this trail connects with the Camp Trail.
Deer Meadow Trail
1.5 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail unites the Browns Run Trail with the multi-use Hefren Run Trail. Sections of this trail go through old growth oak hemlock forest and prime wildlife areas.
Deer Park Trail
1.1 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail segment connects PA 36 and the Seneca Trail, also linking with the Mohawk Trail. Hikers pass through the heart of the 1976 tornado damaged area. Portions of the classic movie, “The Unconquered”, were filmed near a rock outcrop here.
Hemlock Trail
0.3 mile, more difficult hiking
This short trail connector joins the Longfellow Trail near Forest Road with the Deer Park Trail at PA 36. One of the finest old growth hemlock forests in the Eastern U.S. is located along this trail. Some hemlocks surpass 140 feet tall; many are more than 300 years old!
Liggett Trail
1.5 miles, easiest hiking
This trail begins at Breezemont Road across from the Log Cabin ELC and travels a portion of the NCT/Baker Trail along Toms Run, terminating on Toms Run Rd. The trail passes through a wonderful stand of hemlocks, some of which is an old growth forested wetland. This trail is a good place to listen for the elusive winter wren. Turning right onto Toms Run Road brings you back to the Log Cabin ELC.
Mohawk Trail
1.4 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail runs from the PA 36/Forest Road intersection near the Inn at Cook Forest, and ends at the exit of Fire Tower Road.
This trail winds through magnificent old growth hemlock forest along the hilltop within the Fire Tower Road loop and the steep hillside overlooking the Clarion River. On this trail, you will walk amongst some of the tallest, largest, and oldest hemlocks found in the park. Many hemlock, white oak, and chestnut oak surpass 300 years old here.
(Emerald) Paved Trail
0.2 mile, easiest hiking
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. This paved, ADA-accessible trail loop winds through a mature hardwood forest. It can be reached via the water tower access road near the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts.
Ridge Trail
0.7 mile, most difficult hiking
This steep trail connects the Ridge Campground near Site 32 to Forest Road by Shelter #1. Large oaks and black cherry trees are found near this path. Several black cherries reach three feet across and 140 feet high, some of the tallest known in the entire Eastern U.S.
River Trail
1.2 miles, most difficult hiking
This steep segment runs along the NCT/Baker Trail by the Clarion River from the fire tower to Fire Tower Road. To continue on the NCT/Baker Trail, stay straight along the Clarion River; the River Trail works its way back uphill to connect to Fire Tower Road.
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in early summer when the mountain laurel and rhododendron bloom.
Seneca Trail
0.9 mile, most difficult hiking
This trail climbs from PA 36 to the junction with the Deer Park Trail, where a left turn will continue to the Fire Tower-Seneca Point Area. It offers an excellent view of the Clarion River, passes through old growth forest and a section of 1976 tornado downed logs.
The greatest concentration of tall hemlocks in the Northeastern U.S. can be found here. The tallest known Eastern hemlock in the Northeastern U.S., at 145 feet high, is located here.
Tobecco Trail
11 miles, more difficult hiking
This connecting trail between Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks runs along the Wild and Scenic Clarion River from State Route 899 to the Gateway Lodge on PA 36.
Most of the trail is located on or near the river bank in a mix of pine, hemlock, rhododendron, and mountain laurel. However, the trail does ascend to the ridge tops in two locations where visitors can enjoy open hardwood forests of oak, cherry, and maple.
Cook Forest State Park contains 7.5 miles of the trail; a portion of SR 899 is used to connect the trail to Clear Creek State Park. From SR 899, it is 2.5 miles to the Clear Creek State Park Campground.
There are three trailhead parking lots.
The Gateway Lodge parking lot is available on the western end of the trail
A small parking lot on SR 899 is marked by an information kiosk
The third parking area is on the eastern end of the trail in the Clear Creek State Park campground
Forest Cathedral Trails, Cook Forest State Park: Hiking Only
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area is a registered National Natural Landmark. Numbers below correspond to the map on the Cook Forest State Park Hiking Trails brochure.
1. Joyce Kilmer Trail
1.1 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail runs from Cemetery Road to the Indian Trail. Note the rock formations nestled among large hemlock and white pine, some of which span three to four feet.
2. Rhododendron Trail
1.2 miles, more difficult hiking
A favorite hike for many, this trail joins Indian Cabins #6 and #7 to Forest Drive via the Forest Cathedral. Ancient hemlock and white pine are common along its length.
3. Longfellow Trail
1.2 miles, more difficult hiking
The most well known trail in the park runs through the finest stand of old growth white pine forest in the northeastern U.S..
The trail starts beside the Log Cabin ELC and terminates on Forest Road. Along the way, hike past the Memorial Fountain and past the tallest known tree north of the Great Smoky Mountains, a white pine 185 feet tall!
4. Toms Run Trail
0.8 mile, easiest hiking
This flat trail connects the wooden swinging bridge to the Log Cabin ELC through the picturesque Toms Run Valley. Keep a lookout for remnants of bracket dams once used to move logs downstream during the 1800s logging boom.
5. Birch Trail
0.9 mile, easiest hiking
This trail passes through a lovely stand of birch trees between the Children’s Fishing Pond and Shelter #1. The swinging bridge links this trail with the Rhododendron Trail.
6. Indian Trail
1.0 mile, most difficult hiking
This steep trail progresses from the north side of the Children’s Fishing Pond, deep into the core of the Forest Cathedral before joining the Longfellow Trail. Near the pond, observe the incredible stand of second growth Eastern white pine, logged in the 1800s. As the trail levels off, look for the transition from second growth to old growth forest.
7. Red Eft Trail
0.2 mile, most difficult hiking
This short, steep, spur trail connects the Longfellow Trail with the Toms Run Trail, making a variety of loops possible. This section traverses an old growth forested wetland through a series of bridges and steps.
8. Ancient Forest Trail
0.3 mile, more difficult hiking
This trail bisects the Longfellow Trail through the heart of the Forest Cathedral, creating various loop options. Gaze above to the highest concentration of tall, old growth white pines in the Northeastern United States.
Cook Forest State Park: Multi-Use Trails
Multi-use trails are open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding as designated. Please be aware and courteous of others.
Bridle Trail
1.1 miles, easiest hiking
This trail starts 0.8 miles from the beginning of Forest Drive. This fairly flat, multi-use trail weaves hikers and equestrian users through a 1930s CCC red pine plantation and then terminates at the Old Logging Road within the Forest Cathedral. Some select Eastern hemlock, white oak, and American beech surpass 200 years old. Continue onto the Old Logging Road to bring you back to Forest Drive. Hiking and horseback riding only.
Hefren Run Trail
1.1 miles, more difficult hiking
This multi-use trail connects Toms Run Road with Forest Road. This serene trail crosses Hefren Run Valley along evidence of old bracket dams used to move logs downstream in the 1800s. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are permitted.
Old Logging Road Trail
0.6 mile, easiest hiking
This flat trail proceeds between Forest Drive and the Joyce Kilmer Trail. Watch for red and white pine orchards planted by the CCC from 1933-1937. Hiking and horseback riding only.
Equestrian Trail
1.5 miles, easiest hiking
This trail starts 0.2 miles from the beginning of Forest Drive. This fairly flat, multi-use trail weaves hikers and equestrian users through a 1930s CCC red pine plantation and then loops back onto Forest Drive. White-tailed deer are a common sight here. Keep your eyes open for hawks that like to hunt between the rows of pines. Hiking and horseback riding only.
Clarion River Lands: Hiking Only
North Country National Scenic Trail
More difficult hiking
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) joins several segments of trails as it passes through Cook Forest State Park. The NCT (blazed blue) is America’s longest National Scenic Trail at 4,600 miles, running from Vermont to North Dakota. 180 miles of the NCT run through Pennsylvania and were some of the first trail mileage to be developed.
Lower Round Top Trail
2.0 miles, more difficult hiking
This steep hiking only trail links to main trail loops in the Clarion River Lands: the Mill Creek/Blyson Loops and Picture Rock Trails. This hiking trail is accessible from both Blyson parking lots. The trail follows the Clarion River along a steep hillside.
Clarion River Lands: Multi-use
Multi-use trails are open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding as designated. Please be aware and courteous of others.
Bessie Dewey Trail
1.0 mile, more difficult hiking
This trail creates a loop option by connecting with two points along the Boiler Trail. It climbs a fairly steep hillside through a pine and hemlock forest along Maxwell Run.
Blyson Loop Trail
2.7 miles, more difficult hiking
The Blyson Loop Trail meanders down a ridge to the Clarion River at the mouth of Blyson Run, a designated wilderness trout stream. Access Blyson Loop via Mill Creek Loop Trail from Mill Creek Drive, or from Old State Road. Note: Horse trailers are not recommended on Old State Road.
Boiler Trail
2.0 miles, more difficult hiking
Access this trail via the parking lot at Hindman Drive. It follows a steep, but wide, set of switchbacks to the bank of the Clarion River, where it joins the Bessie Dewey Trail near Maxwell Run. The trail is named for the remains of a boiler left on site.
Callihan Trail
1.3 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail unites the Picture Rock Trail with the Kaufman Loop Trail, paralleling Callihan Run toward the Clarion River. The river can be forded at the Picture Rock Crossing. River crossings possess inherent danger. All users are advised to use caution if crossing the river.
Highland Loop Trail
1.0 mile, more difficult hiking
This trail runs from the upper parking lot on Highland Drive, along a mix of old logging roads and single-track trails that wind through a mix of hardwood trees toward the Clarion River.
Highland River Crossing Trail
0.9 mile, more difficult hiking
This trail joins the Highland Loop and Finkbinder trails via a river ford at Slater’s Crossing. River crossings possess inherent danger. All users are advised to use caution if crossing the river.
Kaufman Trail
1.4 miles, easiest hiking
This relatively flat trail follows an old logging road through open hardwood forest and continues past the Short Trail to a small loop at an old power line right of way. Kaufman Trail can be accessed from the upper parking area off Highland Drive.
Kaufman Loop Trail
0.6 mile, easiest hiking
This relatively flat trail uses an old logging road to wind its way through open hardwood forest. Kaufman Loop Trail can be accessed from the upper parking area off Highland Drive.
Lower Loop Finkbinder Trail
2.3 miles, more difficult hiking
This loop trail uses a mix of old logging roads and singletrack trails to traverse the open forest along the ridgeline. This trail contains several fairly steep sections, including a set of switchbacks along the ridge of a small feeder stream.
Mill Creek Loop Trail
1.5 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail links a parking area on Millcreek Drive with the Blyson Loop Trail via wide, mostly flat, old logging roads through open hardwoods of oak, maple, and black cherry.
Picture Rock Trail
1.1 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail attaches to the Boiler Trail near Hindman parking lot, where it follows several switchbacks to the Clarion River near Picture Rock Crossing. Look for the namesake large, flat rock where many riders pose for the camera.
Rim Trail
0.8 mile, more difficult hiking
This trail uses an old logging road to unite the Kaufman and Highland Loop trails, offering beautiful views of the Clarion River Valley as it meanders along the river’s hillside.
Short Trail
0.2 mile, easiest hiking
This single-track trail connects the Kaufman, Kaufman Loop, and Callihan trails.
Slater’s Crossing
0.1 mile, more difficult hiking
This river crossing joins the Highland Loop, Bessie Dewey, and Finkbinder trails. River crossings possess inherent danger. All users are advised to use caution if crossing the river.
Upper Loop Finkbinder Trail
2.5 miles, more difficult hiking
This loop uses a mix of logging roads and single-track trails to cross the ridgeline. This trail contains several fairly steep sections.
Valley of the Bears Trail
5.2 miles, more difficult hiking
This trail contains two loops and follows the NCT in two sections as it meanders up and down the Clarion River Valley from Thompson Hill to the Highland Loop Trail. The lower loop closest to Highland is 0.8 mile long, while the upper loop near Thompson Hill is 1.8 miles.
For more information about this wonderful state park, check out its website at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CookForestStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
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