Twins in America - Cook Forest State Park

Twins Michael and Alison and family at Cook Forest State Park

Cook Forest State Park encompasses 6,668 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania . Bordered by the picturesque Clarion River, the park is most known for virgin white pine and hemlock timber stands. Classified as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, Cook Forest State Park is often referred to as the "Black Forest" of Pennsylvania.

The park is located in Clarion, Forest and Jefferson counties, Pennsylvania.

The primary purpose of Pennsylvania State Parks is to provide opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms for environmental education. In meeting these purposes, the conservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic, and historical values of parks should be given first consideration.

Cook Forest State Park is open on a year-round. A trail system of 27 miles reaches magnificent timber stands. Family camping, organized group tenting and log cabins are available. Fishing, picnicking, swimming and canoeing are popular summer pursuits. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding and ice-skating.

One of the best ways to see and enjoy Cook Forest (and to get a little cardiovascular exercise!) is to hike some of its 30 miles of trails. You'll find no less than sixteen marked to help you get closer to nature. The longest hiking trail is about 3 miles; there are also several trails about 0.6 miles in length. As you can imagine, the trail scenery is quite astounding during the fall season when the leaves turn fiery red, orange, and amber.

Passing through the park is the Baker Trail, a 140 mile foot path from Pittsburgh to the Allegheny National Forest. The Baker Trail was developed in honor of the late Horace Forbes Baker by the Pittsburgh Council of the American Youth Hostels.

Part of the Baker Trail -- about 34 miles of terrain that can be challenging at times -- is now known as the Rachel Carson Trail, named for the environmentalist and author of Silent Spring. The online edition of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has an excellent article on the Rachel Carson trail. an excellent article on the Rachel Carson trail.]

For safety purposes, hikers should obtain a complete description of trails from the park office before setting out on a hiking excursion.