Cook Forest State Park

‘A Walk Through the Forest Cathedral’ Please meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for an interpretive hike into the finest stand of old growth E. white pine in the entire Northeastern U.S. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to observe the Longfellow Pine, tallest known tree north of the Smokies’! Learn how to identify old growth forest characteristics, and observe different types of environmental disturbance that are an integral part of old growth forest ecosystems. (2 hrs)

Meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for a challenging 4 mile interpretive hike through one of the most magnificent old growth forests in entire Eastern United States. You will be passing many of the park’s highlighted, but seldom viewed attributes: Longfellow Pine, the tallest known tree north of the Smokies, Seneca Pine, the largest pine in Pennsylvania, Seneca Hemlock, the tallest known hemlock in the Northeast, petroglyphs along the Clarion River, bracket dams along Tom’s Run, and…

Please join us for guided interpretive walks to discover and document mushrooms with one of the nation's leading mycologists, Gary Lincoff. Gary is an internationally known mycologist and the author of The Audubon Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America, The Complete Mushroom Hunter, The Joy of Foraging, and co-author of The Mushroom Book and many other publications. He is a past-president of the North American Mycological Association and a co-founder of the Telluride Mushroom Conference. Participants must register with…

Cook Forest is home to 12 record breaking trees. Cook Forest holds the distinction of having the largest known white pine in the state and the second largest known by volume in the entire Northeast, the Seneca Pine. Join us at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for a hike to help us re-measure both the Seneca Pine, and its monstrous contender, the Cook Pine. Program is free, but you must register. To register or for more information call…

Cook Forest is home to the greatest concentration of tall white pine and large hemlock in Northeast, where over 30 pine have been found in the 160ft class. Please join us at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for an off-trail hike to the seldom visited Maple Drive Old Growth Forest Area to help us re-measure some hidden giants. Program is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information call (814) 744-8407

Please bring your binoculars, spotting scopes, and possibly snowshoes to the Park Office for a challenging 3.2-mile winter hike along the North Country Trail. We will then car-pool to the trailhead in Scotch Hill. With 1000 ft. of elevation gain, this is not a hike for the weary, but will take you into some prime bald eagle nesting territory. This is an opportunity to help the park naturalist document activity at new bald eagle nests. River otter and coyote signs…

Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to otter hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to witness otter activity. Chances are good to observe otter sign such as slides, tracks, and carp kills along the banks of the river. Hot chocolate will be available at the Park Office to warm us up. For more information, call (814) 744-8407, email dluthringe@pa.gov, or…

Please bring your binoculars to the Fire Tower for a historical tour of Fire Tower #9 conducted by park volunteers, Kelley & Al Bilotto. Take a breathtaking view from the box at the very top of the Fire Tower and learn how it operated. The tower will be open from 1-3 p.m. For more information, call (814) 744-8407, email cookforestsp@pa.gov or visit CookForestStatePark.

Please join Venture Outdoors program leaders at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for a challenging hike along Cook Forest trails. Program sponsored by Venture Outdoors. To register or for more information call (412) 255-0564.

Please bring your cross country skis and headlamps and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom for a candlelit evening interpretive cross country ski trip within the picturesque Tom’s Run Valley. Learn how to identify animal tracks in the snow as you ski within the old growth forest at the base of the Forest Cathedral, National Natural Landmark. If snow conditions aren’t good, we’ll snowshoe or hike instead. Hot chocolate and a luke-warm cabin will be available to…

Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to otter hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to witness otter activity. Chances are good to observe otter sign such as slides, tracks, and carp kills along the banks of the river. Hot chocolate will be available at the Park Office to warm us up.

Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to eagle hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to view bald eagles on their nests and find new nesting sites. Expect a long car-pool and aggressive hike to some of the better areas, but the rewards will be worth it. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the Park Office to warm us…

An intermediate skill level kayaking class. Remember to bring your swimsuits, sturdy river sneakers, change of clothes, and lunch. Water & snacks provided. We WILL get wet! Designed to integrate skills learned in Introduction to Kayaking and Kayaking 101, we will be focusing on T-Rescues, Self-Recovery, Buddy Assists, and ferrying. Participants must pre-register prior to the course by calling (814)744-8407. We’re only accepting 10 participants for this course. Space is limited so please reserve early. Sorry, no children under 16…

Cook Forest is home to not only the largest black cherry in the state of Pennsylvania, but also the tallest black cherries north of the Mason Dixon Line. Cook Forest also harbors the greatest number of know black cherries in the 130 ft height class north of the Great Smoky Mountains. Meet at the Log Cabin Inn for an off trail hike to help re-measure the Davis Memorial State Champ Black Cherry, the tallest know black cherry in the Northeast.