Cook Forest State Park Campground

This is truly one of my favorite state parks to camp at. The whole campground is mostly wooded with hardly a bad site. They have primitive, electric only and full hookups available. This is definitely a family friendly campground. If you're into hiking there's lots to see here. There's no camp store in the campground, who is something they could improve upon, but you can get supplies nearby.

We have camped here many times over the years in our tent..... so hopefully, this season will be our 1st in our new camper. We rarely have any big complaints about Cook Forest. There are soooo much family things to do here in this state park. We've always had a lot of fun here over the years. You can tell it's different as soon as you enter the state park....the tall trees are amazing. It's so peaceful, friendly and quiet here and we'll worth our 2.5 hour commute from central PA. The sites are large and it's nice to have options of sunny, grassy, shaded or wooded sites to choose from. Fire Tower and Seneca Point? WELL worth the short drive to see the view over the trees and the Clarion River. The Clarion River is great for a tube or canoe trip. Just check with the Pale Whale for the depth update before you venture out. Be SURE to eat at the Cooksburg Cafe as well there. Absolutely delicious and very reasonable in cost. The homemade Ranch Dressing is the bomb. This is one of my top 3 absolute favorite state parks in all of PA...... for many good reasons.

I have been coming here since I was a child and will continue to come here till the day I die. Love this place.

Great 3 night stay! It’s what I expected for a rustic cabin. Comfortable enough and close to everything the area has to offer. Gas log fireplace did give me a huge headache which I overcame by leaving one window open. I do recommend bringing a fan for cooking and air flow.

We stayed in the pet friendly area for 4 days. Very nice campers, bathrooms very clean. Even with half the spaces open, still felt a little crowded.

Was there a few months ago. I love this area. Cook Forest is about 10-11 miles from Clarion, PA where I attend college. The state park is one of the most popular in the state, I think. The Clarion River provides lots of water activities, etc. and there is lots of hikes to do including a walk to the Fire Tower right from the campground. But I’m not a fan of this campground. There are over 200 sites in the campground and it is frequently full. Sites are way too close to each other. The weekend I was there this last time, it was packed. The sites appear to be level and have all the amenities but I will not camp there again due to the size.

Had a very nice time over the 4th of July weekend. Even tho it was busy for the holiday, the camping was relaxing.

We don’t live far from this campground, so it was a quick weekend trip in early April. Early April in western Pennsylvania means overnight temperatures in the 40’s and highs in the 50/60’s. The campground sits at the top of a ridge, with an uphill climb if coming from the south. We stayed in site #50, which was in the middle of the loop. Once there, backing in the site was easy, although the narrow road on the loop can be a little challenging, especially if you have a big rig. Once parked, leveling was easy and we were set up in no time. Our site was a little short, so the back door to our camper was near the fire ring, which resulted in smoke blowing through our camper, but nothing a can of Fabreze didn’t fix when we got home. The campground has a nice playground, volleyball court and open grass area for tossing a football or playing soccer. There are a couple of fresh water stations around the loop, so plan accordingly before arriving or be prepared to block traffic on the narrow road while you fill up with fresh water. The dump station was very open and convenient, so departure was quick. We will definitely visit this campground again, but will probably pick something with more shade, especially if visiting in the summer. We have a Winegard Air 360*, but Verizon 4G LTE was non-existent. OTA TV signal picked up a couple of TV stations.

This weekend was our first excursion with our new travel trailer. The other campers were very nice and respectful. The grounds are well kept.

They are currently repaving the roads as well...but this was not an inconvenience for the weekend camper.

Beautiful park with huge pine trees. 235 sites, many with electric. Most seem pretty level and big rig friendly. Good ATT & Verizon cell service. Nice trails and friendly campground hosts.

A nice park with a serious vintage summer camp feel. Lots to do in the area— kayaking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, touristy stops. Campsites are shaded and spread out well. There was no cell service, but for us, that’s a plus.

We spent two incredible nights here (and a full 3 days!) in mid-July.

Our site: we stayed on site 202. Our site is in the furthest loop back, and therefore the most remote. The site itself wasn’t particularly level, but didn’t prove too much of a problem. If you are staying with a large group (20-30), the inside of the furthest loop back might be a great way to reserve a section where everyone stays together. During our trip, it was used by a family of about 30 folks. Looks like they a great time!

The campground: The campground is nicely laid out, with a variety of deciduous trees and large pole Pines. there’s a nice playground for the kids, open field for throwing a frisbee, several restroom and shower locations. During our visit, everything is clean and in tiptop shape. Happy to recommend for those who are concerned about such things ;-) There’s also firewood available to purchase on site for reasonable rates.

Things to do: Cook Forest is nestled in an area along the Clarion River that’s full of possibilities! The biggest draw seems to be canoeing and kayaking down the river. We took advantage of one of the local liveries with really reasonable rates. The host/owner was incredible, and our 4-hour trip was perfect - even in low water. There’s also a fire tower (built in 1929!) across the street from the state park campground. It’s a 1.5 mile hike from the campground via gravel road, or you can drive and park. Worth the climb!

Quick tip: if you’re able, bring your bikes. It seemed like we were the only family who didn’t ;-)

We stayed in site 216, as it was one of the few left for Father's Day weekend, but next time we'll stay in one of the sites on the outer edges of the campground (for quiet). We did have one bad night, as there was a group camping in a site adjacent to ours that was drunk and carried on until about 4 am. They were evicted by the forest ranger the following day, and our subsequent night was very peaceful. Lots of trees and it is possible to hammock camp here. The hot showers have great water pressure. There is a central area in the restroom building containing a coin-operated washing machine and dryer for those who need laundry facilities. There is also an electrical outlet near the laundry facilities if your inflatable mattress decides to deflate in the middle of the night. Campfire pits include a grill.

There are several great hiking trails - recommend Longfellow for the ancient hemlock groves and the Fire Tower for a neat way to get an overview of the forest.

Went there off-season which I recommend everyone do. In the Fall. Beautiful colored folage. Woke up to find I was surrounded by a huge herd of deer. Outstanding!

The Campground was really nice, some spots gave you enough space to feel pretty secluded from other campers, which was nice for my partner and I.

I’ve been going here since I can remember and every time I see the trip coming up on the calendar I get excited. The cabins are always very clean with comfortable living spaces and great theme. The campground has very spaced out camp sites for privacy and really incorporates the forest around it. Plenty of hikes and activities to do during the day. Cooks forest has always been one of my favorite places.

Cook Forest is a wonderful park with tons of trails and canoeing down the Clarion River.  Campground is vast and hard to pick a spot, though I found the park office helpful in giving me their opinion.  Can be very crowded in the summer and on weekends.  My site ended up not being very private but I had woods along the back which made it better.  Lots of other families around so my son liked playing with the other kids while I made dinner.

Grew up in the area so I’m bias but I love the atmosphere. Swimming, mini golf, kayaking, horse riding, etc. and so much more to do in the area. Visit the Farmers Inn restaurant and petting zoo while you’re in the area.

The scenery is beautiful so much to see the wildlife very clean park the nature walks

Saw a bear, porcupine

Great trails for hiking. Beautiful views of the river. After a snow melt or a rain be prepared for saturated or flooded trails. If you're lucky you can see the otters playing in the winter.

Serenity time, but close to all types of activities

float the river, horseback riding, ice cream, and playgrounds.

Have stayed in here many times. Sites are fairly large and rather quiet. You will not be disappointed staying here. Lots to do in the area.

Adventure awaits.

my mom and I stayed in a cabin for Christmas. friendly staff. only compliant was the animal hair in the cabin and the wood was covered in snow, making it hard to start a fire in the fireplace. we look forward to going back soon!

The campground is pretty basic, but does have a bathhouse and playground. The State Park as a whole has a lot of hiking trails and beautiful area. It also has a kid's fishing pond.

I live nearby so I'm a bit biased towards the park. Definitely one of my favorite places to day hike. The trails are well maintained, and the scenery changes every few steps. Lush hardwood forest; plenty of shade for summer hikes. Not crowded at all in the off-season.

We stayed in the Indian Cabin #I11.  There are 4 twin sized bunk beds but be forewarned, the springs and mattresses were ancient during our stay.  There is a small table, a refrigerator, electric stove and oven, and there is heat.  The windows do not open very much so bring a fan if you're camping in warm weather.   The bathhouse is clean and the showers are hot. 

The cabins can be difficult to find in the dark, but they are located just behind the campground offices.  If you pull around to the rear of the building and look across the creek that is there, you cannot miss them.

Nice place to go lots of things to do and see, there are many hiking trails.

Campground Review:

This is our 12th Memorial Weekend spent at this campground in the rolling green mountains of Cook Forest, in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds. We have a group of about 20 friends who take over the back "cul de sac" of the campground (section 180s) each year. In spite of a completely booked holiday weekend (you'd do best to book 8-9, yes, 8-9 months out for this particular weekend) the campground is spread out, secluded and quiet. Our sites are hugged by tall evergreens and level ground, something not easily found on the mountain. Those on the outside of the loop back to the woods and a couple trail heads (not heavily trafficked) and those in the center are large and have quick access to the section's bath house, which is unfortunately fallen into somewhat disrepair over the last decade. The up side is that there is always hot water and they do clean them daily. There's also a nicely kept area to do dishes. This campground is huge, wood can be purchased on site, and there's a large volleyball court, field and playground. Also included is a stage where various forms of entertainment and education are held. Each Memorial Saturday, a meet and greet is recreated with an American historical figure. Good fun for all. There's an abundance of activities available within walking distance. The Clarion river leads through the base of the camp at the bottom of the hill, and kayak and canoe rentals are available everywhere. The river is slow and serene, perfect for families. There's various park/BBQ spots near the creek and guided hikes during the day out of the ranger station. A fully stocked fishing hole is also adjacent to it. The campsites are portioned off by type: motor home, pet friendly, tent only ...and each area has its own bathhouse which is seldom over crowded. Note: this is a "dry" campground.

Product Review:

As a Dyrt Ranger, I get to try out great new products on our adventures, and this time was no exception. We brought alone the Flite+ tree tent from #tentsile - and it was the hit of the campground. First things first: this is a two person tree tent. It's not a hammock, but a true sleeping tent, with far more support at the bottom and a rainfly. The bottom floor strap serves as a good divider as well, so you're not rolling into each other in the night. You really have your own space and plenty of it. There are 2 exits which is also handy. The campers were lined up (literally) to try it out, each getting their 15 mins in the trees. Some brought books, some brought a friend, and all enjoyed it, noting how surprisingly comfortable it was. You cannot sit cross legged in a hammock - but in the Flite+ you and a friend can play a game of cards.

Pros:

No footprint. This tent really shines on sand and areas with uncomfortable underbrush. It's versitity opens up all kinds of possible campsites.

A mobile treehouse. Who doesn't want to sleep in a tree? The rainfly comes off on warm dry nights to reveal a flood of stars from the best bed in town.

Setup: You'll find this both in pros and cons. We found it initially easier than expected to set up. It was roughly as quick to put up as our pop up tent.

Weight: This tent would be ideal for backcountry. It's so light, my 6 year old could pack with it, and it compresses into a very small footprint.

No guff: the rangers not only gave us no hard time about pitching it to the trees, they commended the zero footprint and were unabashed in their own excitement to check it out.

Cons:

Dress for the weather: This tent is labeled as a 4 season tent, however, you should note that this is only when you pair it with appropriate attire, sleepsack and mat. Otherwise, it gets fairly cold up there. Great ventilation for warm evenings though. Really kept dry under the rainfly! Not a leak or drop got inside. It was actually kind of magical.

Setup: The rigging, angle and strain on the straps is key here. The first day, we thought the tent looked flat, tight and even, however, once an adult got in, it bowed like a hammock. The second day we found a better acute angle that lined up as directed, and found it to be a far better sleep. You could sit upright inside and only felt a subtle bow. With a mat, it would hardly be noticeable.

No ladder attachment: While other treetent models have hookups for their rope ladder, sold separately, this tent has none. Not ideal when wishing to hang it higher than a few feet off the ground. We had to hoist each other up into it at the near 5 ft height we arranged it at. After all, what good is a tree tent if it's almost on the ground?!

Overall, we loved this @Tentsile product and cannot wait to take it beach camping and see what other inventive places we can sleep with it! Whether your goal is the serene or extreme, this tent is a great item to have in your reputoir, and I'd take it over a typical ground backpacking tent any day - especially since it does come with stakes to go ground if you'd prefer.