Explore the Best Hiking Trails of Cook Forest State Park
Cook Forest State Park offers an extensive network of hiking trails, totaling over 47 miles in length. These trails wind through the park’s breathtaking natural landscapes, providing hikers with a range of options to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there is a trail for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the hiking trails, the park also boasts nearly five miles of multi-use trails, allowing visitors to explore the park on foot, bike, or horseback. With such a diverse array of trails, Cook Forest State Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Cook Forest State Park is located in northwestern Pennsylvania and is considered to be one of the most scenic state parks in the United States. The park is home to one of the largest old growth forests in the country. Another reason for its popularity is the fact that the Clarion River runs through the park.
The state park has more than 47 miles of hiking trails and nearly 5 miles of multi-purpose trails. The Clarion River Lands have another 32 miles of trails. Two of the major northeast trails, the Baker Trail and the North Country Trail, run through the state park lands. Below are some of our favorite hiking trails in Cook Forest State Park.
For more information on the state park and its hiking trails, please visit https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CookForestStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx
Cook Forest State Park: Hiking Only
Baker Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail
Length: 12 miles in the park | More difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | Yellow and blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
The 140-mile Baker Trail (blazed yellow) runs from Freeport through the Allegheny National Forest. The North Country Trail (blazed blue) stretches 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota. They run through the Forest Cathedral, passing Seneca Point and meandering by the Clarion River past the bracket dam waterfall across from Hemlock Island.
Black Bear Trail
Length: 1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables
A flat, loop trail at the Sawmill Center for the Arts circles the Paved Trail. Look for black bear claw marks on the trees.
Browns Run Trail
Length: 2.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
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
Length: 2.0 miles | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This steep trail links Ridge Campground to Breezemont Drive near the Log Cabin Education Center. Pay close attention at trail intersections as this trail splits near the campground.
Cook Trail
Length: 2.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches
Self-guided trail signs indicate trees along the trail. A 1930 dynamite shack built by the Civilian Conservation Corps can be viewed from the trail. Access the trail from River Cabin 12, the River Picnic Area, or a short spur trail on Cemetery Road.
Corduroy Trail
Length: 1.2 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail connects Ridge Campground to Liggett Trail along Tom’s 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
Length: 1.5 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail unites the Browns Run Trail with the multi-use Hefren Run Trail. Sections of this trail go through old growth oak and hemlock forest and prime wildlife areas.
Deer Park Trail
Location: 1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail connects PA 36 and the Seneca Trail, also linking with Mohawk Trail. Hikers will pass through 1976 tornado damage area.
Hemlock Trail
Length: 0.3 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This short trail joins the Longfellow Trail with the Deer Park Trail. It travels through one of the finest old growth hemlock forests in the eastern United States.
Liggett Trail
Length: 1.5 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail begins at Breezemont Drive and travels a portion of the North Country Trail/Baker Trail along Tom’s Run, terminating at Tom’s Run Road. Listen for the elusive winter wren along the trail.
Mohawk Trail
Length: 1.4 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail runs from the PA 36/Forest Road intersection near the Park Office, and ends at the exit of Fire Tower Road. It 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 (300 years) found in the park.
Sensory Trail
Length: 0.2 mile | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches, braille/raised letter signage, guide cable
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The first sensory trail in Pennsylvania state parks, the Cook Forest Sensory Trail is a quarter-mile, paved loop that was customized for individuals with disabilities — including low or limited vision — and features braille/raised letter signage, a guide cable, sturdy benches, and a picnic area at the trailhead.
The self-guided walking trail loops through a mature hardwood forest and features signs that point out new ways of experiencing nature, such as listening for bird calls or touching the bark of trees to identify them.
A flexible railing allows visitors to easily find where the trail leads.
The trail can be reached via the water tower access road near the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts.
Ridge Trail
Length: 0.7 mile | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This steep trail connects the Ridge Campground near site 32 to Forest Road by Shelter 1. Large oaks and black cherry trees (3 feet across and 140 feet high) are found near this path.
River Trail
Length: 1.2 miles | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This steep trail runs along the Clarion River from the Fire Tower to Fire Tower Road. It is one of the most beautiful hikes in early summer when the mountain laurel and rhododendron bloom.
Seneca Trail
Length: 0.9 mile | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restroom, potable water, benches
This trail climbs from PA 36 to the junction with the Deer Park Trail. It passes through old growth forest and offers an excellent view of the Clarion River. The greatest concentration of tall hemlocks in northeastern United States can be found here.
Tobecco Trail
Length: 7.5 miles in the park, 10 miles total | More difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Following along the Wild and Scenic Clarion River from the Gateway Lodge on PA 36 to SR 899. This trail connects Cook Forest and Clear Creek State Parks. Most of the trail is located on or near the river bank, however, it does ascend to the ridge tops in two spots.
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
Joyce Kilmer Trail
Length: 1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail runs from Cemetery Road to Indian Trail. Take special notice of the rock formations nestled among large hemlock and white pine.
Rhododendron Trail
Length: 1.2 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water
This trail joins Indian Cabins 6 & 7 to Forest Drive via the Forest Cathedral. Ancient hemlocks, white pines, and large boulders can be found along this trail.
Longfellow Trail
Length: 1.2 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches
The most well known trail in the park, runs through the finest stand of old growth white pine forest in the northeastern United States. Begin at the Log Cabin Educational Center, travel past the Memorial Fountain and end on Forest Road.
Tom’s Run Trail
Length: 0.8 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables
This flat trail connects the swinging bridge to the Log Cabin Education Center through the picturesque Tom’s Run Valley. Keep a lookout for remnants of bracket dams once used to move logs downstream.
Birch Trail
Length: 0.9 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This trail passes through a lovely stand of birch trees between the Children’s Fishing Pond and Shelter 1. For a loop hike, the swinging bridge links this trail with the Tom’s Run Trail.
Indian Trail
Length: 1.0 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches
This steep trail starts on the north side of the Children’s Fishing Pond, deep into the Forest Cathedral before joining the Longfellow Trail. As the trail levels off, look for the transition from second growth to old growth forest.
Red Eft Trail
Length: 0.2 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Connecting the Longfellow Trail to the Tom’s Run Trail, this steep trail traverses an old growth forested wetland through a series of bridges and stone steps.
Ancient Forest Trail
Length: 0.3 mile | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail bisects the Longfellow Trail through the heart of the Forest Cathedral. Gaze above to the highest concentration of tall, old growth white pines in the northeastern United States.
Cook Forest State Park: Multi-Use Trails
Bridle Trail
Length: 1.1 miles | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
Starting 0.8 mile from the beginning of Forest Drive, this trail weaves through a 1930s CCC red pine plantation and terminates at the Old Logging Road within the Forest Cathedral. Continue onto the old Logging Road to bring you back to Forest Drive.
Hefren Run Trail
Length: 1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
This multi-use trail connects Tom’s 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.
Old Logging Road Trail
Length: 0.6 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow/red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
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.
Equestrian Trail
Length: 1.5 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow/red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none
Starting 0.2 miles from the beginning of Forest Drive, this fairly flat, multi-use trail a 1930s CCC red pine plantation and then loops back onto Forest Drive. Look for hawks hunting along the trail.