Cook Forest State Park

Fall season is a good time to visit this remote commonwealth ecological refuge. Not too many active ticks in the fall. Not too many local or out of state/commonwealth visitors....in the fall. Not too cold, but crisp in early November. No bears....no Clarion river swimmers or tubers. Not many renters in legacy CCC log cabins. Ideal spot for a stop over if venturing into "Elk Country". Ancient Fores... Fall season is a good time to visit this remote commonwealth ecological refuge. Not too many active ticks in the fall. Not too many local or out of state/commonwealth visitors....in the fall. Not too cold, but crisp in early November. No bears....no Clarion river swimmers or tubers. Not many renters in legacy CCC log cabins. Ideal spot for a stop over if venturing into "Elk Country". Ancient Forest trail is up, then down, then up, and then down again in low level hilly terrain. Legacy hemlocks are visually impacted by the amount of decaying and uprooted felled trees all over the place....over the trails, over the bridges, over the tree canopies. Newly painted trail signs aid hikers in orienteering to the terrain...especially those visitors that are mentally addicted/tethered to their personsal or business cellular phones. Not many "bars" of coverage on "Toms" Run trail etc. With all that opioned....it is still worth the visit to see the healthy hemlocks echhing (sp?) out a viable ecological existence.

Man, I can't say enough good things about Cooks Forest. We spent the whole weekend there and I'm already planning my next trip. The wildlife is just insane. We saw so many deer just hanging out, plus all these interesting bugs and even a little snake slithered across the path in front of us. It really feels alive. The trails are seriously well maintained, easy to follow, and they take you right p... Man, I can't say enough good things about Cooks Forest. We spent the whole weekend there and I'm already planning my next trip. The wildlife is just insane. We saw so many deer just hanging out, plus all these interesting bugs and even a little snake slithered across the path in front of us. It really feels alive. The trails are seriously well maintained, easy to follow, and they take you right past these massive, ancient rock formations that look like something out of a movie. It's just super cool and feels like a real adventure. If you're even thinking about going, just do it. It's the perfect place to unplug and have a genuine outdoor experience. Five stars from me.

One of my favorite state parks...maybe even my favorite one to visit. The forest is so beautiful, I absolutely love the big trees. You must hike through the forest cathedral in the morning to see the beautiful sun rays shine through the trees. No poison ivy or oak I've seen nor overgrown. The bridges are neat. The mountain laurel is beautiful as well. Lots of picnic areas, camping and fishing spot... One of my favorite state parks...maybe even my favorite one to visit. The forest is so beautiful, I absolutely love the big trees. You must hike through the forest cathedral in the morning to see the beautiful sun rays shine through the trees. No poison ivy or oak I've seen nor overgrown. The bridges are neat. The mountain laurel is beautiful as well. Lots of picnic areas, camping and fishing spots, and cabins for everyone. Lots of gift shops, and some restaurants around. I had an urge to take up close pictures of mushrooms, there neat looking. The clarion river is great to kayak or tube on. Always prepare and reserve ahead. Last minute won't get you near anything. It is always packed in the summer, and hot. Either it rains too much, or it's a drought. Sometimes the weather is just right, and so is the water level. Takes much planning. And weather watching. Watch for snakes, like this one. 🐍 And bears. 🐻

A lovely campsite with so much to do in the state park and nearby. The simple dog walking trail that can be accessed from near site 68 is one of the loveliest hikes we did. It's easy to walk to the fire tower and the overlook right from the campground. The showers are hot and the bathrooms are clean, even over a packed holiday weekend. The campground hosts are lovely and the park staff and range... A lovely campsite with so much to do in the state park and nearby. The simple dog walking trail that can be accessed from near site 68 is one of the loveliest hikes we did. It's easy to walk to the fire tower and the overlook right from the campground. The showers are hot and the bathrooms are clean, even over a packed holiday weekend. The campground hosts are lovely and the park staff and rangers are helpful and accessible. There are restaurants and stores very close by, and places to rent canoes, mini golf, ride horses, and shop for antiques so close. I really recommend Dear Hart (a store with incredible antiques at lovely prices, as well as a very kind proprietor). To eat, don't miss PA Mushroom Company. Can't recommend it enough.

A lovely campsite with so much to do in the state park and nearby. The simple dog walking trail that can be accessed from near site 68 is one of the loveliest hikes we did. It's easy to walk to the fire tower and the overlook right from the campground. The showers are hot and the bathrooms are clean, even over a packed holiday weekend. The campground hosts are lovely and the park staff and range... A lovely campsite with so much to do in the state park and nearby. The simple dog walking trail that can be accessed from near site 68 is one of the loveliest hikes we did. It's easy to walk to the fire tower and the overlook right from the campground. The showers are hot and the bathrooms are clean, even over a packed holiday weekend. The campground hosts are lovely and the park staff and rangers are helpful and accessible. There are restaurants and stores very close by, and places to rent canoes, mini golf, ride horses, and shop for antiques so close. I really recommend Dear Hart (a store with incredible antiques at lovely prices, as well as a very kind proprietor). To eat, don't miss PA Mushroom Company. Can't recommend it enough.

It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super ki... It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super kind and friendly as well. My ONLY real complaint was that they don't offer any kind of military or veterans discount. That's a minor complaint, nothing that would keep us from returning to the Ridge Campground.

It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super ki... It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super kind and friendly as well. My ONLY real complaint was that they don't offer any kind of military or veterans discount. That's a minor complaint, nothing that would keep us from returning to the Ridge Campground.

It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super ki... It was our 1st time staying here, but we will definitely be back! We were able to check in a few hours early and set up before it became fall on the weekend of 5/30 lol. It got INSANELY cold real feel Saturday night was 33 degrees. We were right across from the restrooms and showers which were pretty well kept and the showers had fantastic pressure and plenty of hot water. Everyone was super kind and friendly as well. My ONLY real complaint was that they don't offer any kind of military or veterans discount. That's a minor complaint, nothing that would keep us from returning to the Ridge Campground.

This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywh... This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywhere in the park. They're definitely dated, but still well built to suit your needs.

This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywh... This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywhere in the park. They're definitely dated, but still well built to suit your needs.

This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywh... This is maybe my favorite state campgrounds to visit. It's very well laid out, and well maintained. I like that they have everything from primitive, to full hookups camp sites available. They have pet areas and no pet areas available. My experience is that most campers in state campgrounds are very friendly. My wife and I enjoy walking around the grounds. Their bathhouses are accessable from anywhere in the park. They're definitely dated, but still well built to suit your needs.