Join Friends of Cook Forest and celebrate the New Year with a hike on the iconic Longfellow Trail. We'll meet at the Log Cabin Inn for this nearly 2 mile hike through some of the finest old growth forest in the northeast. Please be prepared for the weather. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome.

Join us for our very popular monthly shows in the Peirce Planetarium! During the shows, we will weave storytelling and science together to highlight the month’s brightest stars and planets. See the table below for showtimes. The shows last roughly 50 minutes and are free and open to the general public. All are welcome. No […]

  What a great way to spend a cold January morning by planting seeds indoors! Plant seeds for 5 varieties of native perennial flowers in jugs and take them home to grow. Instruction, supplies, seeds, handouts are all provided. Class size is limited.  Reserve your seat for either 9:30-10:30 or 11:30-12:30 by emailing senecarocksaudubon@gmail.com. Cost is […]

Meet in Foxburg at the Allegheny River Trail trailhead on River St. Exact coordinates are: 41.139064204715076, -79.678028742865 Hike to Emlenton and back for a total of 8 miles. Questions? Contact Susan Giering at lsigiering@gmail.com or 814-226-4679. All hikes meet at the trailhead parking lots, which can be found on the North Country Trail website at […]

Please meet at the Park Office, where we will conduct a driving “battlefield tour” to historic lumber sites on the Clarion River. See where the community, forty-foot-long dugout canoe was likely kept, recollect about the great Ol’ Copper Still on Whiskey Run, recount “Wash” Dunkle’s epic fist fight, contemplate the Maze Gap drowning, and view […]

Nature journaling is a relaxing way of “thinking on paper” - paying closer attention to the complexity and beauty of the world around us. In this free program we’ll record observations of nature using drawings, diagrams, words, and numbers. No experience necessary. Must be 18+ years old. Free journaling materials provided. Bring your curiosity and […]

Please bring your cross country skis, headlamps, and meet at the Nuthole Cabin, located at the entrance to Ridge Camp for an evening candlelit interpretive cross country ski trip in the old growth forests within and surrounding our family campground.  If snow conditions aren’t good, we’ll snowshoe or hike instead. Hot chocolate and a cozy […]

Mushroom Cultivation 101 is a beginner-friendly course designed to meet the growing interest in mushroom cultivation. It covers everything from choosing the right mushroom genetics to preparing grain spawn and substrate, managing optimal growing conditions, composting, and exploring recommended resources. Perfect for beginners, gardeners, and sustainability enthusiasts, this comprehensive program offers clear instructions and practical […]

Clarion County is kicking off America’s 250th in January. As the birthplace of American democracy, Pennsylvania stands at the heart of our nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial. Since 2018, America250PA has been working to ensure this once-in-a-generation milestone is meaningful, inclusive, and deeply rooted in local communities across the Commonwealth. In 2026, that vision comes to life—county […]

Mushroom Cultivation 101 is a beginner-friendly course designed to meet the growing interest in mushroom cultivation. It covers everything from choosing the right mushroom genetics to preparing grain spawn and substrate, managing optimal growing conditions, composting, and exploring recommended resources. Perfect for beginners, gardeners, and sustainability enthusiasts, this comprehensive program offers clear instructions and practical […]

Thanks to Valentine’s Day, love is in the air! Keridwyn explores the many aspects of love through the music of Ireland, Scotland, Appalachia and more. Enjoy a mix of traditional and modern songs in the comfort of the Clarion Free Library.

Dawn of Astronomy is a 45-minute show that traces the beginnings of astronomy in ancient Egypt and Britain. We will journey to the Pyramids of Egypt, the crumbling ziggurats of Babylon, and the mysterious Stonehenge. This show is free and open to everyone. Located in PennWest Clarion's Science and Technology Center on the 2nd floor.

Meet in Emlenton at the Allegheny River Trail trailhead on Main St. Exact coordinates are:  41.177399, -79.712401. Hike from Emlenton to the Rockland Tunnel and back. 6 miles total. Questions? Contact Susan Giering at lsigiering@gmail.com or 814-226-4679. All hikes meet at the trailhead parking lots, which can be found on the North Country Trail website […]

Come join us for a day of fun wintry activities along the picturesque National Wild & Scenic Clarion River within Cook Forest State Park.  Various activities will be held at the new River Pavilion by the playground on River Road approximately  1-mile up-river from the RT36 Cooksburg Bridge: 1130am - Chili Cook-Off (hot & mild divisions) […]

Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to otter hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to witness otter activity. Chances are good to observe otter sign such as slides, tracks, and latrines along the banks of […]

Join us for our very popular monthly shows in the Peirce Planetarium! During the shows, we will weave storytelling and science together to highlight the month’s brightest stars and planets. The shows last roughly 50 minutes and are free and open to the general public. All are welcome. No tickets are required. However, since seating […]

Plant a hanging basket or planter while you learn about perennials! This is the perfect early Mother's Day gift. Morning (9:30am) Laura Robles from Walters Gardens will be speaking on perennials with native roots and EZ SCAPE design ideas with native roots. Afternoon (1pm) Laura Robles from Walters Gardens will be speaking on 20 perennials […]

Join us for the 28th annual conference promoting sustainable grazing practices. Go to www.westernpagrazing.com for more info! 28th Annual Western PA Grazing Conference Join us for the 28th Annual Western PA Grazing Conference, a must-attend event for all grazing enthusiasts! This in-person conference will be held at Trinity Point Church of God on West Trinity Drive, Clarion, PA, […]

Peggy Butler will share how the Leave No Trace principles can be applied to birding, and some fun ways to remember the seven tenets so that you will be able to easily remember them on your next outing. Peggy and her husband Ken fell in love with the Wilds of Pennsylvania in 2007. They moved […]

Cook Forest State Park will be conducting an interpretive cold weather kayaking trip on the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River.  Join the flotilla and celebrate the last days of winter on this 4-7 mile interpretive float. Bald eagles, river otter, mink, and mergansers have been known to make an appearance. Cost is $40/boat (bring […]

Returning by popular demand for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration, the Lowry family and superb Celtic Band CARNIVAL OF SOULS will sound the call for the Irish. Leprechaun magic will abound with the call of the highland bagpipes and all those lucky enough to be Irish – and those hopefuls who wish they were Irish – […]

The Beginners' Guide To Foraging was designed for nature enthusiasts and aspiring foragers who want to explore the world of wild mushrooms. During this beginner level program you will learn the basics of identifying wild mushrooms found in our local ecosystems.In addition to mushroom identification techniques, topics discussed will include; field guides and resources for […]