Lace up your hiking boots!
Cook Forest State Park, located in northwestern Pennsylania, has hiking trails for all experience levels. Whether you’re an avid hiker looking for a challenge or simply want a relaxing walk through nature, Cook Forest has a trail for you.
LISTEN to the story
One of the park’s biggest highlights is the Forest Cathedral, a National Natural Landmark filled with towering old-growth eastern hemlock and white pine trees. Several trails wind through this breathtaking area, giving visitors the chance to experience one of Pennsylvania’s most scenic forests.
Popular Hiking Trails
DCNR: Maps and guides of Cook Forest State Park
Sensory Trail
The Sensory Trail is perfect for beginners or visitors with mobility challenges. This ADA-accessible, 0.2-mile loop is the easiest trail in the park and offers a relaxing way to experience the forest.
One of Cook Forest’s most popular hikes, the 2.6-mile Black Bear Trail, is known for the bear claw marks that can be spotted on some trees. The relatively flat loop makes it a great choice for families with children.
Looking for a moderate hike? The 2-mile Cook Trail loop travels through dense forest with gentle elevation changes and offers beautiful overlooks of the Clarion River.
River Trail
For experienced hikers, the River Trail provides more of a challenge. This 1.5-mile trail features a steep climb but rewards hikers with scenic views of the Clarion River. Those looking for an all-day adventure can connect to a longer 13.7-mile route.
- Filmmakers Highlight Plight of Cook Forest’s Iconic Hemlocks
- A trail less traveled: Few have hiked all 4,800 miles of the North Country Trail
Baker Trail & North Country National Scenic Trail
For hikers seeking a true backpacking adventure, Cook Forest is home to 12 miles where two major long-distance trails overlap.
The Baker Trail stretches approximately 140 miles from Freeport through western Pennsylvania toward the Allegheny National Forest. At Cook Forest, it joins the North Country National Scenic Trail, one of the nation’s longest hiking trails, which extends roughly 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota. Read more about this trail on our website.
Within the park, the shared section passes through the Forest Cathedral, overlooks Seneca Point, and follows the scenic Clarion River, including views of the bracket dam waterfall across from Hemlock Island. This point-to-point trail is marked with yellow and blue blazes and is rated more difficult, making it a great option for experienced hikers and backpackers. Trailhead amenities include a backpacking shelter, picnic tables, and modern restrooms at the Log Cabin Environmental Learning Classroom.
Explore Beyond the Park
Cook Forest also connects to the Clarion River Lands, an extensive network of lesser-known hiking trails that offer even more opportunities to explore the surrounding forests and river valleys.
The Clarion River itself is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River for 51.7 miles. Its steep forested hillsides, clear water, rocky riffles, and peaceful scenery make it a favorite destination for both hikers and paddlers.
Biking & Equestrian Trails
Cook Forest also offers several trails for mountain biking and horseback riding, including Hefren Run Trail, the Equestrian Trail, Bridle Trail, and others.
Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll beneath ancient trees or a challenging backpacking adventure, Cook Forest State Park has a trail for you. To learn more about these trails and others throughout the park, visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Cook Forest State Park trail information.
Color-enhancing viewfinder
A color-enhancing viewfinder for colorblind visitors located at the Seneca Point Vista near the Fire Tower is one of 10 across the state: nine in state parks and one in Tiadaghton State Forest. They were first installed in 2024.
It’s one of ten across the state, including at Bald Eagle and Black Moshannon state parks. When they were installed in the fall of 2024, Scott Kolesar (Ko-LESS-er), who has colorblindness, said this at a press conference when he looked through one for the first time: “I must say even when there was not yet much color in the trees, they popped out in my amazement, almost to the point there might have been a tear forming. My experience was one of a kid at Christmas.”
So whether you visit for hiking, paddling or even horseback riding, or if you’re coming for the fall leaves, Cook Forest State Park offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania’s forests.
Color-correcting viewfinders installed at 9 Pa. state parks for colorblind visitors
