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 & Cabins

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

Our stay was over the weekend and into the beginning of the week. We stayed in the dog loop because we took our dog.  The campsite was clean, very close to the bathrooms and drinking water. The people were all so friendly, dogs were very well behaved. The facilities were very clean. The activities around the site were abundant and super fun.  We camped in a tent, so had no need for any rv hookups. Great experience! 

Excellent experience!

Stayed at Ridge Campground in Cook Forest State Park for Mother's Day weekend - sites 158 and 159.  Tons of things to do in the area including hiking trails, biking trails, and the Clarion River for kayaking / canoeing.  There is also a road that goes up to the fire tower and Seneca Rocks for those unable to hike / walk up.  The campground itself is large and reservations are accepted online through the state reservation site.  Love camping here!

Mother's Day camping weekend

Serenity in the forest

I camped here for about 3 nights. It was great. There was hiking trails and actually went tubing my first time here. On the hike there are blazes everywhere so you don't get lost. It is near a highway so at night it can get a little noisy

Cook forest 

Located within the state park, the location is perfect access to hiking, the water tower and overlook, and the Clarion river for fishing, kayaking, canoeing.  Beautiful pine forested surroundings up on the mountainside.  Wifi is much improved.  While there are many bathroom/showers, they are older, in disrepair and not always well-kept.  Large campground that accommodates all types of camping.  Dogs allowed in allocated sites.

Ridge Campground

We've been to this place 3 times in the last 10 years. It's peaceful and beautiful. The surrounding areas of hiking are great and the river gorgeous. There's a field at the campground we go out to late at night and look at the stars. The kids love it there.

Ridge campground

Great park, close to the highway (some sites are a bit noisy), with a great wooded feel and many different hiking trails.  Great for a weekend get away and birdwatching/ getting to be one with nature.  Also some interesting history about this park too, be sure to check it out before you go!

Wooded Adventures

This park has a separate loop for people camping with dogs. This means dog-less people can have a dog-free camp experience...and we can walk through the dog area and see lots of cute dogs. This was my son’s favorite part of the whole weekend, LOL. We stayed in the cabins which were rustic looking though very clean and nice inside (pack like you’re going camping with a fridge). We did some hikes and enjoyed the classic beauty of this part of PA...and wished we had a canoe! 


Cook Forest State Park 

We went on a canoe trip in the area and stayed here (note that you need to register your watercraft regardless of type) at the canoe-only sites down the river. There is also tent and RV camping at the main site. Campground is very wooded and has modern facilities including full RV, hot showers, laundry, playground, etc. Large and lots of sites. There is great, though not particularly challenging, hiking here, lots of nice views. 


Forests and river 

**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](https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=PA&amp;parkId=880202) (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](http://www.cookforestcanoe.com) 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](https://www.tentsile.com/products/flite-tree-tent)+ 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.

Ranger Review: Tentsile Flite+ at the Ridge Campground in Cook Forest State Park, PA

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

Nice place to go

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.

Gorgeous trails

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.

basic but nice

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! 

cabin rental 

Fun for all.

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.

Very nice

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

great cabins and very clean! so many things for the kids to do and just float the river. 

Serenity time, but close to all types of activities

Relaxing

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.

Great hiking trails

Adventures to be had 

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

Beautiful

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. 

Absolutely beautiful park

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.

Love Cook Forest

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.

Beautiful and Cozy

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. 

Nice and clean campgrounds

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!

Back to Nature

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

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.

Great weekend getaway

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 ;-) 


Perfect All Around!

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.

Summer Camp Vibes

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

Coor Forest State Park

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.

Great Experience for the Newbie!

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.  

Open 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

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

Wonderful experience 

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 

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. 

Love the park not the campground

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. 

Affordable, nice atmosphere

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

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. 

Indian Rustic Cabin 102

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

Family Atmosphere

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.

Beautiful, Family Friendly, Large Sites, 

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.

State park camping for all

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. 

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.

Gorgeous state forest, campground is mixed, but excellent with planning.

Our flat was flat and roomy, as were most of the ones around us. We were on the back loop so it was pretty quiet and no one behind us. The bathhouse was dirty and old, but I’ve been in worse. 

Nice Sites, Outdated Bathrooms

Very nice campground. Stayed at a non-electric site. Not super close up on our neighbors.  Plenty of space to put up our tent. Some downsides- the bathrooms were not that great. Very old and poor ventilation.  

This campground was great! Throughout the week in the summer it is pretty quiet. Very close to the fire tower and other things to see around it. The Knotty Pine bar and restaurant was right down the road and had great food and drink. 

Photos of Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

Real photos from real campers