Hike through PA’s oldest trees at Cook Forest State Park
Of all the spectacular places in Pennsylvania, few rival the splendor of the Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest State Park. The Forest Cathedral Natural Area is a National Natural Landmark that has been amazing visitors with its massive white pines and hemlocks for generations.
Hiking the Forest Cathedral
More than 6 miles of hiking trails weave and loop the Forest Cathedral. The most popular is the Longfellow trail, which takes hikers through what is widely considered one of the finest stands of old-growth white pine forest in the northeastern United States. The Longfellow Trail takes hikers past a white pine that is roughly 185 feet tall and is thought to be the tallest tree north of the Great Smoky Mountains. That was not even the tallest tree; in the mid-1950s an intense storm blew through and toppled old growth nearly 4 feet wide and more than 200 feet tall.
Most of the hiking trails in the Forest Cathedral are appropriate for just about everyone and can get busy, especially in the summertime. Show up early to ensure you get a parking spot, which is very limited.
When I arrived there, the sun was not even up yet. There was a van parked that I assumed was boondocking to avoid paying for camping. After a quick snack, while waiting for the sun to rise, we hit the trail. It was a cool spring morning. It was not raining, but there was so much moisture in the air we got damp anyhow. The misty morning did not ease up during the hike. In fact, the towering canopy blocked out light for much of the hike. Looking up, you could see patches of blue sky here and there amongst the massive trees. This was my third time hiking here. I had nowhere else to be on this particular day, so I took my time and weaved throughout.
You can spend as little as 30 minutes power hiking through the area or as much as all day. There is plenty to see. If you are on a time crunch, the swinging bridge is a great place to take a break, grab a snack, and snap pictures. It is very scenic and a crowd-pleaser for hikers with young children.
Other things to do in Cook Forest State Park
Once you are done checking out the Cathedral, there is much to see in Cook Forest State Park. If you are looking for a challenging hike, a section of the more than 4600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail runs through Cook Forest and can be accessed from the Forest Cathedral trailhead.
If you don’t want to go on a big hiking adventure, you can still enjoy nature in the park.
Seneca Point
Take a drive along the scenic Fire Tower Road. Once you reach about halfway, you reach a parking lot with available restrooms. From there is a short walk to Seneca Point, whose rocky ledges feature, albeit slightly overgrown, views of the Clarion River Valley. Be careful; the area is fenced in for good reason, and there are dangerous drop-offs. While you are at Seneca Point, keep a lookout for bowl-shaped depressions in the bedrock. These are believed to be made by prehistoric people grinding acorns. Cook Forest is home to a half dozen significant sites for Native Americans.
Fire Tower
A short stroll from Seneca Point, visitors come to the Old No. 9 Fire Tower, which is accessed from the same parking area. The 87.5-foot fire tower was built in 1929 and operated until 1966. Today, visitors can occasionally get to the top of it when rangers open it for programs. Those lucky enough to visit when it is open are greeted with sweeping views as far as 20 miles away.
Camping at Cook Forest
We recommend staying the night or a few at the Cook Forest Campground if you have the time. It’s one of our favorites in Pennsylvania and for good reasons. Most of the sites are very private and spacious. Plus, we have never had a problem getting a site because Cook Forest is so remote. However, we do recommend you reserve your sites ahead of time and not chance it.
