In the Forest Cathedral Natural Area, the tallest Weymouth pines reach nearly 200 feet. Hemlock trees stand among them; the forest makes both the exceptional height of individual trees and the scale of Cook Forest State Park apparent. The park covers 8,500 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania. The forest and trails offer different ways to experience nature, from the expansive park to a single tree.
Forest Trails and Different Routes
Cook Forest State Park has more than 47 miles of hiking trails and 4.3 miles of multi-use trails. These figures represent two designated trail offerings, though they do not describe the same type of route. Those interested in the Allegheny Plateau landscape can also explore the Clarion Highlands Trail, which crosses the plateau and is connected with Clarion County.
The Redbank Valley Trail System offers a different way to explore the area. It is also connected with Clarion County and runs between the Allegheny River and Brookville. From the trail, visitors can enjoy views of Redbank Creek and its tributaries, rock formations, flowers and wildlife. The trails highlight different landscapes: the Allegheny Plateau on the Clarion Highlands Trail, and waterways and other natural features along the Redbank Valley Trail.
The Clarion River at Two Scales
A scenic 13-mile section of the Clarion River flows through Cook Forest State Park and is used for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. The Clarion River Water Trail covers the river on a larger scale: its 110 miles offer opportunities for boating and fishing, and it passes through Forest, Jefferson and Clarion counties. The 13 miles through the park and the 110 miles of the Water Trail therefore refer to routes of different lengths.
The river’s classification and protected designation answer different questions, too. Almost the entire Clarion River Water Trail follows a Class I river. Nearly 52 miles of the trail are designated as wild and scenic. These details add information about the river’s classification and the extent of the designated sections.
Art, History and Festival Traditions
Culture is another part of what visitors can discover in Clarion County. The Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts offers classes in traditional art forms. Its Craft Market features work by more than 85 local craftspeople. The classes and market offer different ways to engage with traditional crafts: by making something yourself or by exploring the work on display.
The Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts is located in Foxburg, a historic village on the banks of the Allegheny River. It presents a ten-month concert season featuring artists, touring groups and regional performers; the Red Brick Gallery also showcases works by regional artists. The Foxburg Country Club clubhouse is home to the American Golf Hall of Fame. Together, these venues span music, visual art and golf history, without requiring visitors to focus on just one subject.
Another historic site is the Sutton-Ditz House, originally built in 1847 and remodeled in 1909–1910. The Autumn Leaf Festival dates back to 1953. The 2026 edition is described as a nine-day festival in Downtown Clarion, featuring the Tournament of Leaves Parade, a carnival and arts and crafts vendors. Alongside enduring landscapes and building histories, festival traditions are part of the cultural offering.
Discover more destinations: Clarion, Perry County, Schuylkill County, Potter County, Bedford, Beaver, Huntingdon County, Sullivan County.
For the broader travel overview: Pennsylvania.
