Clarion County boasts a variety of four-season trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Cooksburg Dry Goods Gift Shoppe offers rentals for snowshoes at $15, cross-country skis at $10, and […]
Clarion County boasts a variety of four-season trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Cooksburg Dry Goods Gift Shoppe offers rentals for snowshoes at $15, cross-country skis at $10, and ice skates at $5. Head to Tom’s Run Rd, Fire Tower Rd, or the natural skating pond to begin your adventure.
| Hiking Trails | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Forest Sensory Trail | This is a quarter-mile, paved, and self-guided trail loop, customized for individuals with disabilities, including low or limited vision, and features braille/raised letter signage, a guide cable, sturdy benches, and a picnic area at the trailhead. Access to this trail is near the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts. For a preview of what to expect, check out this video from June 2024. | Easy |
| Rail 66 Country Trail | Explore this paved four-season trail that stretches from Shippenville to Vowinckel, PA and beyond to Kane. The village of Crown has a Cook Forest connector trail, which pops you onto the Toms Run Rd. trail. Be prepared for a hill on your way into the park! This trail has five parking lots along the way. | Easy |
| Fire Tower Rd. | Located in Cook Forest State Park, it leads to the Seneca Point Overlook and Fire Tower. Parking is available at the trailhead. Stop by the overlooks to check out the vista before you loop back for a beautiful overlook of the Clarion River under a sheet of ice and snow. | Moderate |
| Clarion Loop Trail | This trail provides a diverse terrain for curious hikers looking for a good workout. Explore this portion of the North Country Trail surrounded by trees before emerging onto the riverbank. Parking is available at the university. | Moderate |
| Clarion Highlands Trail | For experienced riders, the unpaved Clarion Highlands Trail is one of Clarion County’s horseback riding paths. Four parking lots are available along the trail, depending on where you’d like to start your adventure. | Difficult |
As always, we recommend following DCNR’s safety guidelines for your next adventure, including for activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, ice skating, and horseback riding.
For more resources on winter recreation in Cook Forest State Park, visit this link to read more.
Lodging Recommendations
In the central portion of Clarion County, we’ve hand-selected some lodging for different types of tastes. Double Boar Ranch, located along the Clarion River, is the perfect getaway for larger families or friend groups looking to celebrate a birthday or bachelorette party over the weekend. The Rt. 66 Rails to Trails Home provides convenient access to Rail 66 for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Lake Como Suite along Main Street Clarion is an upscale spot to experience a charming small town. Kellywood Cabins has a number of cozy log cabins, great for a long weekend away in the Appalachian Mountains. If you’re looking for an all-in-one bed & breakfast attached to a winery, look no further than Deer Creek Winery at Brooks Estate.
Clarion Highlands
Deer Creek Winery at Brooks Estate
Clarion Highlands
Double Boar Ranch
Clarion Riverlands
Lake Como Suite
Cook Forest
Kellywood Cabins
Clarion Highlands
Rt. 66 Rails to Trails Home
As autumn ends, Clarion County has plenty to offer this upcoming winter, from great shopping and unique antique stores to well-maintained, four-season trails. Check out our collection of winter events and recommended activities for wintertime in Cook Forest State Park.