Things to Do in Cook Forest, PA: The Ultimate Weekend Guide
Updated: September 2026
Planning a trip to Cook Forest State Park, Pennsylvania? If giant old-growth trees, scenic hikes, kayaking, horseback riding and finding places you probably didn't know existed in Pennsylvania sound like your kind of trip, put this one on your list.
Cook Forest is part of the Pennsylvania Wilds and is known as the “Land of Giants” thanks to its Forest Cathedral of ancient white pines and hemlocks—some of the tallest and oldest trees in the Northeast.
And there's WAY more to do here than hike.
We spent a long weekend exploring Cook Forest & The Ancients Landscape in the PA Wilds, checking out some of the area's best hikes, exploring the Clarion River, horseback riding, visiting a hands-on deer ranch, scrambling around giant rock formations, visiting family-owned businesses and staying in one seriously cute vintage camper.
This guide will cover the best things to do in Cook Forest, where to stay, the best hikes and outdoor adventures, where to eat, and how to turn your next trip into the perfect Cook Forest weekend getaway.
Quick Guide to Cook Forest & The Ancients
Best for: Hiking, outdoor adventures, families, couples + fall road trips
How long to stay: 2–3 nights
Best time to visit:
🍁 Fall: Fall foliage + one of the prettiest times to hike through the old-growth forest
❄️ Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding + ice skating
🌷 Spring: Cooler hiking weather + fewer crowds
☀️ Summer: Long days for hiking, exploring + river activities
Don’t miss: Forest Cathedral, Fire Tower #9, horseback riding, Double Diamond Deer Ranch + Beartown Rocks
Where to stay: Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground for camping or a unique glamping experience in Tilly, their vintage camper. For a cozy Airbnb stay with more room for families or groups, check out Route 66 Rails to Trails Home.
Closest major cities: Pittsburgh, Erie, Buffalo
Good for kids: Yes — especially Double Diamond Deer Ranch, Beartown Rocks + the shorter hikes
Good for dogs: Yes — with miles of dog-friendly hiking trails, plenty of outdoor space to explore and dog-friendly lodging options, this is a great weekend getaway to bring your pup along
Car needed: Yes
In This Guide
Best Things to Do in Cook Forest, PA
Climb Cook Forest Fire Tower #9
Best for: Views + a little bit of history
Cost: Free
Good to know: There are 96 steps to the top, and yes, you will feel it in your legs afterwards.
Built in 1929, Cook Forest’s historic Fire Tower #9 is 87.5 feet tall and was once used by firefighters to spot wildfires from as far as 15–20 miles away.
Climb to the top for one of the best views in Pennsylvania, especially during the fall when the foliage is popping.
Our take: If you’re not afraid of heights, climb it. The view from the top is worth the stairs.
Go Horseback Riding Through Cook Forest
Best for: A different way to explore the forest
How long: About 2 hours
Where: Silver Stallion Stables | Cooksburg
Definitely one of the most unique ways to explore Cook Forest! Silver Stallion Stables offers beginner-friendly guided horseback rides through the forest, so you don’t need any previous riding experience.
Our horses were so sweet and gentle, and our guide shared lots of cool history about the area along the way.
Our take: Seeing Cook Forest on horseback is one of the most unique experiences in the PA Wilds and should definitely be on your Pennsylvania bucket list.
Visit Double Diamond Deer Ranch
Best for: Families + animal lovers
Cost: $10 per person, ages 4 and under and free
Where: Double Diamond Deer Ranch | Clarington
Get up close with whitetail deer at Double Diamond Deer Ranch, a hands-on and educational deer ranch where you can feed and pet some of the friendly deer. They also offer special experiences like bottle-feeding fawns during certain times of the year.
You’ll also get to see some very unique deer, they have brown, white and piebald deer.
Our take: This is such a fun stop, especially with kids, and the deer are so sweet.
Explore Beartown Rocks
Best for: Rock maze + a unique hike
Cost: Free
Where: Beartown Rocks | Clear Creek State Forest
Basically a giant natural playground. Explore this giant rock maze and see if you’re brave enough to squeeze through some of the narrower passages between massive sandstone boulders. Some of the rock formations are over 300 million years old.
Our take: It’s free and easily one of the most unique hikes in Pennsylvania.
Alternative: If you love exploring giant rock formations, Bilger’s Rocks in Grampian is another similar spot to add to your trip.
Visit Legacy Acreage Home & Garden
Best for: Local goods + a family-owned farm
Where: Legacy Acreage Home & Garden | Clarion
This family-owned farm produces everything from honey and maple syrup to flowers, freeze-dried fruit and freshly roasted coffee. During flower season, you can also head into the fields for fresh flowers and seasonal flower experiences.
Our take: A fun way to support a local family-owned business and bring home some farm-fresh goodies.
Stay in a Vintage Camper at Rustic Acres
Best for: A unique glamping experience
Where: Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground | Shippenville
Tilly is a renovated vintage Silver Stream camper that sleeps five and is definitely one of the most unique glamping experiences in Pennsylvania. You get all the fun of camping without actually having to set up camp, plus a deck, fire pit and plenty of space to hang out and enjoy the retro vibes.
Rustic Acres makes a great basecamp for exploring Cook Forest & The Ancients Landscape, with camping, glamping and RV sites available throughout the resort.
Our take: Retro camper + Cook Forest weekend getaway = pretty much the perfect Pennsylvania road trip.
Kayak, Canoe or Tube the Clarion River
Best for: Exploring the PA Wilds from the water
Where: Cook Forest Canoe Rental | Cooksburg
The Clarion River is a National Wild & Scenic River and runs right through Cook Forest. Rent a kayak or canoe at Cook Forest Canoe Rental for a different way to explore the PA Wilds. They also offer tubing during the summer.
Our take: Everyone knows the views are better from a canoe. Book it. You won't be disappointed.
Best Hikes in Cook Forest, PA
You could spend an entire weekend just hiking in Cook Forest State Park, but these are some of the trails worth putting at the top of your list. Your biggest problem will be deciding where to go first and how many insanely gorgeous hikes you can squeeze into one trip. Trust me, it will be a hard choice.
Mohawk Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate — short but steep with elevation gain
Best for: A hidden-gem old-growth hike
If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Cook Forest, Mohawk Trail is a quieter alternative to the more well-known Forest Cathedral trails. This short hike takes you through a gorgeous old-growth forest full of massive eastern hemlocks, some around 300 years old.
Our take: A short hike with a lot packed into it and one of the best ways to experience why this area is called the Land of Giants.
Doe Run + North Country National Scenic Trail
Distance: Choose your distance
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Waterfalls, forest + hiking part of America’s longest National Scenic Trail
The Doe Run section of the North Country National Scenic Trail is a particularly pretty piece of America’s longest National Scenic Trail. The North Country Trail stretches 4,600 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, crossing eight states along the way.
The section through Cook Forest and the surrounding Pennsylvania Wilds takes you through old-growth forest, along the Clarion River and past waterfalls, showing off exactly why Pennsylvania is so darn pretty.
Our take: Want to casually say you hiked one of America's longest trails? Here you go. Hike as little or as much as you want.
Longfellow Trail + Ancient Forest Trail
Distance: 1.2-mile Longfellow Trail + 0.3-mile Ancient Forest Trail
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Best for: Forest Cathedral + old-growth trees
This is one of those hikes where you'll walk through and wonder if you're still in Pennsylvania. Longfellow Trail takes you through the famous Forest Cathedral, a National Natural Landmark filled with ancient white pines and eastern hemlocks. Some of the trees in this part of Cook Forest date back to the early 1500s, and some of the tallest pines are almost 200 feet tall.
Connect with the surrounding Forest Cathedral trails and you'll find wooden bridges, stone steps, streams, giant boulders and huge trees that make this whole area feel like something out of a fairy tale.
Our take: This is one of the prettiest forests we've ever seen on the East Coast. This is absolutely a Pennsylvania bucket list hike.
Current trail note — September 2026: A bridge in the Forest Cathedral trail network near Pavilion #1 is currently closed. Check current trail conditions and the park map before choosing your route.
Seneca Point
Distance: About 0.9 mile out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Big views without a long hike
Seneca Point gives you amazing views over the Clarion River and is easy to pair with nearby Fire Tower #9, so you can knock out two of Cook Forest's best viewpoints in one stop.
Our take: Do both. Climb the fire tower first, then head over to Seneca Point for a completely different view.
Cook Forest Hiking Quick Guide
Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Best For |
Mohawk Trail | 1.4 miles | Moderate — short but steep | Hidden-gem old-growth hike |
Doe Run + North Country National Scenic Trail | Choose your distance | Easy | Waterfalls, forest + North Country Trail |
Longfellow + Ancient Forest Trail | 1.2 miles + 0.3 mile | Moderately difficult | Forest Cathedral + old-growth trees |
Seneca Point | About 0.9 mile out and back | Easy | Big views without a long hike |
Where to Stay in Cook Forest, PA
Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground
Best for: Camping + unique glamping stays
Where: Shippenville, PA
Our stay: Tilly the vintage camper
If you're looking for a unique stay, Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground has an adorable retro camper you can rent and makes a great basecamp for exploring Cook Forest & The Ancients Landscape.
We stayed in Tilly, a renovated vintage Silver Stream camper that sleeps five and comes with a full kitchen, bathroom, heat and AC, Wi-Fi, an outdoor deck and fire pit. The campground also offers RV and tent camping, other glamping options, hiking trails, a swimming hole, playground, camp store and The Hub, a coworking and hangout space with Wi-Fi.
Good to know: Rustic Acres has dog-friendly camping options, but Tilly itself does not allow pets.
Our take: If you want the camping experience without actually having to set up camp, Tilly is such a fun place to stay—and the retro vibes make it even better.
Route 66 Rails to Trails Home
Best for: Families, groups + a cozy home base
Where: Shippenville, PA
If glamping isn’t your thing or you want a little more room, Route 66 Rails to Trails Home is another great option for exploring Cook Forest. This three-bedroom vacation rental sleeps up to eight and is fully stocked with anything you need. It’s also located right along the Route 66 Rail Trail, making it easy to hop right onto the trail during your stay.
Bonus: It’s dog-friendly, so you can bring your adventure pup along.
Our take: A great choice for families or groups who want a little more space to spread out and easy access to everything.
Where to Eat in Cook Forest, PA
Trail’s End Restaurant
Best for: A casual meal after a day of exploring
Where: Cooksburg, PA
Trail’s End Restaurant is right across the street from Silver Stallion Stables, making it an easy stop before or after your horseback ride. It has a fun Western vibe, and their buffalo nachos are huge and definitely worth a try.
Our take: The Western vibe makes it the perfect place to grab a bite after exploring Cook Forest on horseback.
Sweet Basil
Best for: Italian food + awesome lunch specials
Where: Shippenville, PA
Sweet Basil had all of our Italian favorites like pasta, pizza, subs and strombolis. Be sure to visit during their lunch specials. They had tons of great deals on food and drinks.
Our take: A great spot to load up on carbs for all that hiking you’re going to do.
Cooksburg Café
Best for: Ice cream + a post-hike sweet treat
Where: Cooksburg, PA
Cooksburg Café is in Cook Forest and perfect for an after-hike treat. They have burgers, sandwiches and tons of ice cream flavors. Your biggest problem will be picking which flavor to get!
Our take: There’s nothing better than a couple scoops of ice cream after a hike. Definitely a must-visit.
More Places to Eat + Drink Near Cook Forest
Looking for more options? Here are a few more places to add to your list:
Restaurants
The Forest Nook — Cook Forest
PA Mushroom Company — Lucinda
Snack Bar at Cook Forest Canoe Rental/Fun Park
Wayside Inn — Lucinda
Toby Hill Bar & Grille — Clarion
Canyon Coffee — Clarion
Michelle's Café — Clarion
Breweries
Lost in the Wilds Brewing
Mechanistic Brewing
Clarion River Brewing
The Perfect 3-Day Cook Forest Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 — Cook Forest + Check In
Start your weekend with the Mohawk Trail, a 1.4-mile hidden-gem hike through Cook Forest’s old-growth forest.
From there, head to Historic Fire Tower #9 + Seneca Point Overlook. They’re right next to each other, so you can easily do both in one stop.
After all that hiking and climbing, stop at Cooksburg Café for a couple scoops of ice cream.
Then head to Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground to check into Tilly or Route 66 Rails to Trails Home and get settled in for the weekend.
Dinner: Make dinner at home at Tilly at Rustic Acres or Route 66 Rails to Trails Home, or head to The Forest Nook Restaurant for some homemade food. Think pizza, pasta, burgers, steaks and ribs, AKA the ultimate comfort foods.
Day 2 — Horseback Riding + Deer Ranch
Start the morning with a horseback ride at Silver Stallion Stables, then grab lunch at Trail’s End Restaurant across the street. Definitely get the buffalo nachos!
Spend the afternoon at Double Diamond Deer Ranch, where you can get up close with the deer, feed them and learn more about the different whitetail deer that live there.
Then stop at Legacy Acreage Home & Garden for some farm-fresh goodies to take home.
Dinner: Make dinner at your camper or Airbnb, or check out PA Mushroom Company for their mushroom-loving pizzas and stir-fry. This family-run mushroom company grows and forages mushrooms right here in Pennsylvania, and their kitchen uses ingredients grown or gathered by their own team.
Day 3 — North Country Trail + Beartown Rocks
Start your last morning hiking the Doe Run section of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
After your hike, head to Sweet Basil for lunch and load up on some Italian food before one last adventure.
Visit Beartown Rocks. Explore the giant rock maze, squeeze through the narrow passages and climb giant rock formations that are over 300 million years old.
Have More Time?
If you have more than a weekend or you want to pack in more adventure, definitely add these to your itinerary:
Hike the Longfellow + Ancient Forest trails through the famous Forest Cathedral.
Rent a canoe or kayak on the Clarion River for gorgeous views you can only see from the water.
Explore Bilger’s Rocks, another crazy rock maze with passages, caves and giant boulders.
Best Time to Visit Cook Forest
🍁 Fall: If you're chasing fall foliage, this is one of the prettiest times to visit Cook Forest. The old-growth forest absolutely shows off once the leaves start changing.
❄️ Winter: Winter fun includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating.
🌷 Spring: Cooler temperatures make this a great time for hiking, and you'll usually find fewer crowds than during the summer and fall.
☀️ Summer: Come for long days of hiking, exploring and river activities like kayaking, canoeing and tubing on the Clarion River.
Know Before You Go
📱 Download your maps before you go. Cell service can be spotty throughout Cook Forest and some of the surrounding PA Wilds.
🥾 Bring good hiking shoes. Even some of the shorter trails can have rocks, roots, uneven terrain and steeper sections.
🌦️ Check trail conditions before heading out. Weather, fallen trees, bridge closures and maintenance can affect trails throughout the year.
🚗 You'll want a car. The attractions throughout Cook Forest & The Ancients Landscape are spread out, so this isn't a trip where you'll want to rely on walking between stops.
🦌 Watch for wildlife. Drive carefully, especially around dawn and dusk.
🌿 Leave No Trace. Stay on designated trails, pack out your trash and leave everything exactly where you found it.
Want to See More From Our Cook Forest Trip?
Visit PAWilds.com for more inspiration for the region!
See the adventure in action! Check out our Cook Forest videos on Instagram:
Comments