Main Street Park – 515 Main Street, Knox
Located on Main Street, this area is used several times a year for Light-Up Night and Horsethief Days.

Knox Community Park (Peanut Park) – Cemetery Street, Knox – (814) 221-1497

Located across the street from the cemetery in Knox, the park is owned and maintained by the Knox Civic Club. The land was purchased in 1920 with additional land for a tennis court purchased in 1921. Since then generations have been enjoying this picturesque park of mature shade trees, green grass, swings, play equipment, and peaceful benches.

A large pavilion is available for rental. For reservations call 814-221-1497.
Photo by Knox Civic Club.

Beaver Creek Nature Area – RT 208, West just outside of the Borough, Knox – (814) 226-6126

A popular area for photography, bird-watching, hiking and fishing. Beaver Creek contains 850 acres of lakes, wetlands and meadows stocked with Largemouth Bass and Bluegill for regulated fishing. There is also an onsite pavilion for picnics.

The Seneca Rock Audubon Sociality identified well over 150 species of birds and waterfowl that visit and nest here. What an awesome place to observe wildlife and have outdoor fun!

Rail 66 Country Trail – A Four Season Trail – Rt-322, Shippenville – Rail 66 Website
Rail 66 Country Trail is a non-motorized, 4-season trail that currently extends 20 miles through the scenic countryside of northern Clarion County near the Village of Lucinda on the historic Knox-Kane railroad bed. The 20 mile corridor of the Knox to Kane rail bed aka Rail 66 Country Trail starts at Clarion Junction (Rt 322) in Shippenville (next to O’Neil’s Quality Foods, 10929 Rt-322, Shippenville). Parking available.

Sandy Creek Trail – 12 Miles of Scenic Views – Rt-322, Van – Visit Trail Website
This paved trail carves through some of the most remote and spectacular countryside in northwestern Pennsylvania. Beginning in Van (10 miles from Knox), it descends for eight miles, following Sandy Creek to the Allegheny River. You will cross numerous railroad trestles, which provide scenic views. At about mile seven you will go through the cool Sandy Creek rail tunnel. Where the trail meets the river you can pick up the Allegheny River and Samuel Justus trails. To continue on the Sandy Creek Trail, cross the stunning 1,385-foot Belmar railroad bridge, and head southwest, following the river downstream for four miles through the peaceful river valley.

Wolfs Camping Resort – 308 Timberwolf Run, Knox – (814) 797-1103 – WolfsCampingResort.com
Wolfs Camping Resort has it all…Heated swimming pool, Laundry Facilities, Ice Cream Shop, Poolside Snack Shack, Grocery Store, Recreation Fields, Weekly Campground Activities, Horseshoe Pits, Volleyball, Large arcade, Baseball Field, 9 Hole Golf Course (with club & cart rentals), 18 Hole Mini Golf, Chipping Range, 9 Acre Fishing Lake, and Two Pavilions.

Quiet Acres Camping – 1507 Coulter Road, Knox – (814) 549-0665 – QuietAcresCamping.com
The 7-acre site, located mostly in a rural area nestled in the woods, offers summer camping and outdoor recreational for campers of all ages. The campground features 12 campsites measuring 12′ x 30′ with a 20′ x 20′ space for picnic table and fire pit, full water, sewage, and 20 amp / 50 amp electrical service hookup available during the spring through fall months. We also have a cabin rental with a loft and 2 full-size beds available November through April.

The property features a children’s playground, cornhole, a creek that runs along the property that is continually stocked for trout season, many dirt roads that may be utilized for walking and bicycling.

Rustic Acres RV Resort & Campground – 634 Pine Terrace Road, Shippenville – (814) 226-9850 – CampRustic.com
Located in gorgeous Clarion County, Pennsylvania, Rustic Acres has been a family staple for over 65 years. Bordering 3,000 acres of state game lands and a quick 5-minute drive to the Clarion River, this is an outdoor person’s dream! Dining, shopping, antiquing, local breweries, wineries, and Cook Forest are just around the corner.

Featuring full hookups, pull-through, camping, and extended stays. Our facilities are clean, family-friendly, and recently updated. If you’re staying for the night or the season, you will feel like family at Rustic Acres RV Resort and Campground.

There are more than 47 miles of hiking trails and 4.3 miles of multi-use trails within Cook Forest State Park. An additional 24 miles of multi-use trails and eight miles of hiking trails are located within the Clarion River Lands.

The Cook Forest State Park Trail Guide (PDF) and Clarion River Lands Trail Guide (PDF) have trail descriptions for each trail. These guides are available in the park office.

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest — For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult — For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult — For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

Trail Route Type​

Loop — Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back — Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point — Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector — Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

Cook Forest State Park: Hiking Only

(Excluding Forest Cathedral Area)

Baker Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail

12 miles in the park  |  More difficult hiking  |  Point-to-point trail  |  Yellow and blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

The 140-mile Baker Trail (blazed yellow) runs from Freeport through the Allegheny National Forest. The North Country Trail (blazed blue) stretches 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota. They run through the Forest Cathedral, passing Seneca Point and meandering by the Clarion River past the bracket dam waterfall across from Hemlock Island.

Black Bear Trail

1.1 miles  |  Easiest hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

A flat, loop trail at the Sawmill Center for the Arts circles the Paved Trail. Look for black bear claw marks on the trees.

Browns Run Trail

2.0 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail parallels Browns Run from Toms Run Road to Forest Road. Due to its low usage, it is a wonderful trail for wilderness hiking, hunting, and birding, particularly for the flute-like songster thrushes.

Camp Trail

2.0 miles  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This steep trail links Ridge Campground to Breezemont Drive near the Log Cabin Education Center. Pay close attention at trail intersections as this trail splits near the campground.

Cook Trail

2.0 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches

Self-guided trail signs indicate trees along the trail. A 1930 dynamite shack built by the Civilian Conservation Corps can be viewed from the trail. Access the trail from River Cabin 12, the River Picnic Area, or a short spur trail on Cemetery Road.

Corduroy Trail

1.2 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail connects Ridge Campground to Liggett Trail along Tom’s Run. This pleasant hike crosses over Breezemont Drive, passing large American beech and Eastern hemlock. Pay attention at intersections as this trail connects with the Camp Trail.

Deer Meadow Trail

1.5 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail unites the Browns Run Trail with the multi-use Hefren Run Trail. Sections of this trail go through old growth oak and hemlock forest and prime wildlife areas.

Deer Park Trail

1.1 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail connects PA 36 and the Seneca Trail, also linking with Mohawk Trail.  Hikers will pass through 1976 tornado damage area.

Hemlock Trail

0.3 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none