Cook Forest State Park Campground, near Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, is a lively spot that caters to both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. With a mix of wooded and open sites, it’s a great place to set up camp and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The campground boasts clean facilities, including multiple bathhouses and showers, which visitors appreciate after a day of exploring. Many sites come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening cookouts and storytelling around the fire. As one camper noted, “The sites are good sized, have a picnic table and fire ring with grill.”

For those looking to stretch their legs, there are walking trails right from the campground, including one that leads into town. The nearby Clarion River offers opportunities for kayaking, making it easy to dive into some water fun. Plus, the lush forest surroundings provide a serene backdrop for your camping experience.

While some campers mentioned that the restrooms could use a little updating, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. Whether you’re camping with family or just looking for a peaceful retreat, Cook Forest State Park Campground has plenty to offer for a memorable outdoor adventure.

The 8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park lies in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania. Once called the Black Forest, the area is famous for its stands of old growth forest. Cook Forest State Park's Forest Cathedral of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark. The Clarion River connects Clear Creek State Park to Cook Forest State Park along a scenic 10-mile stretch of river which is popular for canoeing and rafting.

Permit Conditions: 1. No more than one family unit or five unrelated persons per campsite. Other facilities are limited to the maximum occupancy for the facility (i.e. beds in cabins) for non-family guests. Note: Family Unit-Persons living under one household. 2. Occupant shall include at least one person 18 years of age or older. 3. Noise or conduct which could interfere with the sleep of other persons is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. 4. Before vacating the facility/site, occupants shall clean and properly dispose of waste. 5. Visitors are permitted only between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. 6. This permit may not be assigned or transferred. 7. Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited. 8. Failure to abide by Pennsylvania State Park Rules and Regulations. 9. For cabins,/yurts/camping cottages removal of tables, beds or other furnishings from the facility are prohibited. 10. For cabins/yurts/camping cottages tents, camping trailers and recreation vehicles are not permitted in the area. 11. Pets are only permitted in designated areas. Overnight guest with pets must reserve designated facilities. Violations: Violations of park rules and regulations or violations of a condition of this permit could result in any or all of the following consequences: 1. The permit may be revoked. This would mean that the occupants would be required to vacate the facility immediately. 2. The occupants may be required to leave the park. 3. The occupants may be cited for violations of park rules and regulations, a summary offense. 4. The occupants are responsible for any loss or damages to furnishings, fixtures, equipment, or facilities that occur during or due to their occupancy.   
Cook Forest Park Office is located at 100 Route 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217. It is 7 miles south of Leeper, PA.

Cook Forest State Park Campground

Cooksburg, PA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Pennsylvania camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Cooksburg camping trip.

Cooksburg

The Best Camping Near Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

This is a very nice campground. They have a lot of sites available. The more central area of the campground sites are very close together. Which is fine if you are camping with a group. My husband and I prefer some space between us and other campers. They do have these types of sites available too. The area is beautiful with so much to do! Wether your a family camping or a couple getting away I think you’ll enjoy this campground.

Very nice campground 

Nice and quiet for a holiday weekend. We enjoyed ourselves. Spacious sites but the restrooms were old and not clean. Would camp here again but definitely with full hookups. Cell service not great but could make and receive calls on Verizon with 2 LTE bars but could not load anything else. Looks like they are working in places and making some improvements. Would have been nice to have the second dump station lane open, especially for the holiday weekend and the size of the campground. Overall a good time and very peaceful. 

Nice Campground

Overall a good campground that I would stay at again.  Almost every site had plenty of trees and shade, plenty of shower houses throughout so not a long walk whichever site you choose.  The bathrooms were the older style shower house could use some updating. The not so good is alot of the sites were on an incline but there were plenty that had some level spots for tents. Also some of the sights blended together so you and your neighbors are close. Also cell service is in and out not a bad thing when camping but be aware of

Good campground

This park has numerous flat sites, hidden in the forest, with all the normal state park amenities. The Cook Forest is lush and cool, with a beautiful stream on the back loop. There are walking trails directly from the campground- one specifically for dogs and one that takes you into town(~1.5 miles). The park roads have recently been resurfaced and each site is very well maintained. There is firewood for sale at the Park entrance for$6 a bundle The Seneca fire tower is directly opposite the park entrance and worth a look&amp; a climb for the beautiful view. Its a short 4-5min drive to "town" where there is kayak/canoe rentals, shop, fuel and other amusements/attractions.

Beautiful Sites in the Forest 

We stayed here on a busy weekend.  The sites are good sized, have a picnic table and fire ring with grill.  The bathrooms need to be updated.  There are a lot of cracks and crevices where bugs hide and lots of chipped paint.  I didn't shower, so no commentary on the warmth/pressure.  Look at the campground map before you book your site if being close to a bathroom is important; ours was across the campsite behind us but we had to step in a rock set in the stream to get to it without walking around the loop.  Plenty of trees and shrubs for privacy.  Lots of firewood both in and outside the park.  It's a decent drive to Clarion PA to a Walmart, but there are small camp stores close by.

Good amount of space 

Site is clean and level. Not too far from the clarion river to kayak. Campground has non electric to 50amp service. Some full hook up spots available. Dog friendly for most of the campground. Bath houses are clean and have good water pressure. 

Campground 

Lots of sites here, some in wooded areas, some in very open areas. Lots of traffic and noise. Multiple bathhouses. Volleyball court. We prefer more of a quiet atmosphere but not a bad place to pitch your tent.

Nice Campground - Busy and Lots of Traffic

Cooks forest is absolutely gorgeous. I look forward to returning as there are a lot of hiking opportunities we missed. We stayed in the pet friendly area, which was nice. There is a pet trail through the woods that was really great to take our dog rather than walking around the campground. Our site was right next to a drinking water spigot and a path to the bath house. The sites near ours were in a wooded area, which felt more private than many of the other sites we saw. There was a fore pit and a picnic table. Our fire pit was behind where the camper was parked, which also felt more private. There is no alcohol permitted in PA state parks, so alcohol is prohibited in the campground as well. It was a great spot, and we look forward to returning. 

Beautiful

Our first time at Cook Forest and the state park campgrounds. The park itself is very hilly and beautiful. Trails in area are well marked and maintained. Nothing beyond moderate difficulty, but some are one direction and miles can add North Country Trail is one example of this. 

  

The highlight of the park is the old growth forest. 300+year old evergreen trees and ancient stumps, moss, ferns. Some areas are fairy tail gorgeous. Offseason, which is when we were there (mid May) can be dead quiet. Like test your tinnitus quiet. This includes the campgrounds, where there were probably less than 20 campsites in use, most in the pets/full hookup area. 

  

The campsite is large and winding. Site quality and size and levelness is mixed.  And the services aren’t localized.  There are electric, electric and water, or even full service sites all over the place. Makes it nice, as you can be in a lesser used  ‘no services’ tent area, but find an electric site. Northern most loops are the more wooded and private ones. 

  

We went Sunday-Wednesday. Apparently it fills up on weekends, but we felt practically alone much of the time. Bath houses are consistent old, tired looking, but functional. No heat/open door style. Cleaned daily and plenty of hot, good pressure water. 

  

Cell coverage for Verizon was one bar or no bars. But typically one. On top of the fire tower hill across rt 36, there are two bars.

Photos of Cook Forest State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers