Explore the Area
The park is located along the Clarion River, within a region known for its natural gas, oil, lumber, and coal production. Clarion Borough, one of the larger communities in the area and 14.5 miles from the park, is home to Clarion University and the annual Autumn Leaf Festival.
Learn about some of the area businesses and things to do from the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry.
Nearby State Parks and Forests
Cook Forest State Park is close to two state parks and one state forest, where visitors can enjoy recreation, education, and other activities.
Clear Creek State Park
The 1,901-acre Clear Creek State Park is located in Jefferson County. The park occupies a scenic portion of the Clear Creek Valley from PA 949 to the Clarion River. Cook Forest State Park is only 11 miles away.
Recreational activities include hiking, picnicking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and camping.
Oil Creek State Park
The Oil Creek Valley is the site of the world’s first commercial oil well. Oil Creek State Park tells the story of the early petroleum industry by interpreting oil boomtowns, oil wells, and early transportation. Scenic Oil Creek carves a valley of deep hollows, steep hillsides, and wetlands.
Recreational activities include hiking, biking, picnicking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and camping.
Clear Creek State Forest
The 16,229-acre Clear Creek State Forest is located in Jefferson, Clarion, Venango, Forest, and Mercer Counties. Popular recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnicking, fishing, hunting, and camping.
Other Nearby Outdoor Spaces and Natural Places
Nearby State Game Lands 24 and 283 offer additional recreational opportunities.
The Pennsylvania Wilds
Cook Forest State Park is part of the Pennsylvania Wilds, which offers 2 million acres of public lands for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, and exploration in northcentral Pennsylvania.
Highlights of the area include
- Elk watching at the Elk Country Visitor Center
- Scenic PA Route 6 in Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon)
- The darkest skies in the east at Cherry Springs State Park
- Hundreds of miles of backpacking trails, bike paths, and trout fishing streams.
Pennsylvania Heritage Areas
Heritage Areas protect, enhance, and promote Pennsylvania’s historic, natural, cultural, and scenic resources.
In the Lumber Heritage Region, roughly 2 million acres of public lands give both wildlife and humans room to roam. Unsurpassed beauty, natural treasures, rich history, and outdoor adventure can be found here.