Programs at Cook Forest State Park

Saturday, August 8 at 10:00 am – ‘Walk with Friends: Old Logging Road-Rhododendron Trail’ – Join the Friends of Cook Forest at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom where we’ll shuttle to hike on a loop of the Old Logging Road and the Rhododendron Trails. We’ll discuss characteristics of Old Growth Forest and tree identification as we walk through this ancient forest. People friendly leashed pets welcome! (2 hours)

Saturday, August 8 at 11:00 am – ‘‘Snorkeling the Clarion’ – Please bring your mask & snorkels to the River Cabin playground to search the river for aquatic insects and fish. This is a great opportunity to see fish and bugs up close and undisturbed in their natural habitat. It’s a totally different world down there. Children must be with a participating adult. Be prepared to car pool to other areas along the river. (2.5hrs)

Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 am – ‘Discovering Unique Attributes of Our Local Creeks’

There are incredible places to explore along the Clarion and Allegheny River watersheds that hold wonderful scenic beauty, historic archaeological sites, and seldom viewed animals, right here in our own backyard. We will leave promptly at the Park Office where we will be car-pooling potentially dozens of miles out to some of these areas. We will be taking long energetic difficult hikes through often steep muddy weedy off-trail terrain into some of these hard to reach, but incredibly rewarding places. Things to possibly see along the way include huge conglomerate boulders, scenic vistas, rock outcrops, and seldom seen herps’. Sorry, but participants must be in excellent physical shape to attempt this program. Please bring good hiking boots, walking stick, lunch, and plenty of water. (5 hrs)