Cook Forest State Park

Been camping at Cook Forest (Ridge) campground 25 years. We have spent maybe 18 week long vacations here. In that time they have added more electric sites and even a few "full service" sites a few years back. In the summer the campground is just about full on the weekends. During the week maybe 25 - 30% full. Nice large sites. Most are fairly level. There will be some sites because of all the tree that are hard to turn into if you have a large RV. On the negative side: The shower / bathrooms were in need of updating 20 years ago...I have no idea why all the other Northern PA. State Park shower buildings have been updated in the last 10 years, but the ones at Cook, which is the most used / busiest, are out of the 60's..The park entrance road (1000' long) is a minefield of chuckholes. Been like this for 20 years. The park officials said they can't get it fixed because it sits on 3 different jurisdictions, and they can't work together to get funding. Maybe that explains the 1960's restrooms... Besides that, Cook Forest is known for hiking in the Forest Cathedral, the largest old growth Hemlocks east of the Mississippi. There are trails from the campground to the Forest Cathedral, but it is down a big hill. Best to park at one of picnic areas, and hike from there. There is a children's fishing pond near the hiking trails and park office. Across the road from the campground, is a single lane gravel looped road that leads to Seneca Point Overlook. It's about 2-3 miles thru the dense forest. Well forth the drive. The Clarion River provide many raft, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The campground is on a ridge above the river, so it's a mile drive to get to the waters edge. About a mile from the campground is a country store McBeth's that carries all your camping needs. About 5-6 miles away is a nice place to eat called The Farmers Inn. They also have a driving range, bulk store, ice cream shop, zoo, furniture shop and mini golf. Overall many things to do in the area to justify a weeks vacation. Many times we have made it a two week vacation by doing the second week at nearby Clear Creek State Park, 10 mile up stream. I would give it a 5 star if and when they update the shower buildings... ** One note. the campground is located on Route 36. Coming in from the West, the sign is very small. If you miss it you have to go all the way down the hill to turn around, and come back up the hill. Same thing coming from the East on 36, as you crest the hill the sign (Cook Forest Ridge campground) will be on your right. Miss it, and your looking at a 2-3 mile drive to turn your rig around.