ABOUT COOK FOREST STATE PARK: The Ridge Campground at Cook Forest State Park is located near Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, 12 miles north of I-80/Brookville on PA-36. The 8,500-acre state park and 3,136-acre Clarion River Lands are known for the stands of old-growth forest.
There are eleven old growth areas in the park, totaling over 2,300 acres. Most stands are dominated by ancient eastern hemlocks & white pines, but also contain old understory trees like white and chestnut oaks, black cherries, red maples, and cucumber trees. Many white pines and hemlock trees in these areas approach 375 years old. Scientists believe these old growth areas began growing following a large forest fire in 1644. Some trees survived the fire and date back to the early 1500s!
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area is home to one of the finest stands of big & tall white pines and eastern hemlocks in the Northeastern U.S. Many of these magnificent pine & hemlock trees exceed three feet in diameter with the tallest pines approaching 180 feet. It is fitting that this forest remains in the midst of the area that saw the greatest logging boom in the history of PA. In the late 1800s, thousands of acres of old growth forests were cut for construction industries. The Forest Cathedral is a National Natural Landmark and has been set aside for protection as a state park natural area.
Thirteen miles of the Clarion River flow through the Park. The river corridor contains plants like cardinal flowers, rhododendrons, mountain laurels, and many species of old growth trees. Possible wildlife sightings include deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, river otters, muskrats, porcupines, and black bears. Great blue herons, mergansers, kingfishers, and bald eagles are also common. The Clarion River is designated a National Wild and Scenic River for its scenic beauty, water quality, and archaeological significance. Sections of the river provide a glimpse into the past. The river was used as a transportation route and signs of settlements are located along the river banks. The most prevalent signs that can be seen are bracket dams and log landings from the logging era.
The State Park has over 47 miles of hiking trails. An additional 24 miles of multi-use trails and 8 miles of hiking trails are located within the Clarion River Lands. Bikes are permitted on all one-way, dirt roads within the park. A 13-mile bicycle route follows lightly traveled roads within the park and a portion of Hefren Run Trail. For horseback riding, a loop trail begins at a small parking lot on Forest Drive and winds through beautiful pine plantations. Twenty-four miles of additional trails are located downstream of Gravel Lick Bridge in the Clarion River Lands. Fishing for trout, warmwater game fish, and panfish is popular on the Clarion River. 2.5 miles of Toms Run is stocked with trout. Clarion River provides approximately 120 miles of paddling opportunities – river miles 35-58 are within Cook Forest State Park and the Clarion River Lands. The park provides access to the river with three hand-carry public launches with parking. During the winter season, ice skating, showshoeing and cross-country skiing, and sledding are popular.
The Ridge Campground opens the second Friday in April and closes the third Sunday in October. The campground is in a lovely setting among beautiful, tall, old trees. The park has 210 campsites, which include 118 sites without hook-ups. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Electric only sites are available with either 30- or 50-amp hook-ups. Full-hookup campsites have on-site water, 50-amp electric, and sewage hook-ups. Shower houses, coin-operated laundry facilities, and a sanitary dump station are available. Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee. Other amenities included are a pet walking trail, drinking water, picnicking, restrooms, ADA accessibility, public phone, playground, and amphitheater.
Our favorite campsites are #28, #39, #60, and #66(no hook-ups) and #68 and #69 (with full hook-ups), all within the pets-allowed section. Check-in time is after 3 p.m. Check-out time is before 3 p.m. We paid $79 for 3 nights, which included a senior out-of-state discount of $13.50. For reservations online contact www.visitPAparks.com or call 1-888-727-2757. The Park Office is located at 100 Route 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217; office phone is 1-814-744-8407. The Ridge Campground is 1 mile west of the Park Office on PA-36.
- 2021 – 10/14-10/17