Trailhead Adventures

Hike Tom’s Run Trail to Swinging Bridge at Cook Forest State Park

Locations – Parking Coordinates: 41.34571, -79.21714 (Park at the far end of the parking lot furthest away from the bathrooms and learning center) – Trailhead Coordinates: 41.34549, -79.21700 (As of February 2021, the bridge at 41.34260, -79.21554 is currently closed and blocked with plywood for repairs. Don’t follow the signs near the trailhead for Tom’s […]

Exploring the Forest Cathedral via Longfellow Trail Loop – Cook Forest State Park

Explore the Forest Cathedral at Cook Forest along the popular Longfellow Trail. Locations – Parking Coordinates: 41.34616, -79.21798 (Large parking lot near educational center) – Trailhead Coordinates: 41.34678, -79.21740 (The Longfellow Trail starts behind the educational center near the Memorial Fountain) Hike Details – Distance and Type: 1.3 Mile Lollipop Loop – Trail Difficulty: Easy […]

Hike Forest Cathedral at Cook Forest via Indian-Rhododendron Trail Loop

Hike the ridge above old growth trees of the Forest Cathedral on Indian Trail and follow the Rhododendron Trail past hemlock and white pines that sore over 150-feet tall. Locations – Parking Coordinates: 41.33384, -79.20858 (Park near the cabins by the fishing pond.) – Trailhead Coordinates: 41.33381, -79.20842 (Indian Trail starts at the hillside between […]

Winter Hiking to Henry Run Sawmill Dam – Cook Forest State Park

Hike along the beautiful Clarion river to the old stone Henry Run Sawmill Dam. Locations – Parking Coordinates: 41.33675, -79.22346 (Fire Tower Road is closed for winter. Park at Ridge Campground and hike up Fire Tower Road)) – Trailhead Coordinates: 41.33647, -79.22312 (Fire Tower Road starts across the street from Ridge Campground parking) Hike Details […]

Winter Hiking to Seneca Point and Old Fire Tower 9 – Cook Forest State Park, PA

Enjoy an easy winter hike to the old Fire Tower 9 and Seneca Point along the Fire Tower Road. Hike Details Locations– Parking Coordinates: 41.33675, -79.22346 (Fire Tower Rd is closed for winter for cross country skiing. You will need to park at Ridge Campground and hike the road)– Trailhead Coordinates: 41.33647, -79.22312 (Across the […]

Discover Big Run Falls and Cascade Park

Located in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Big Run Falls can be found within an area known as Cascade park, a former amusement park owned by Penn Power Company that operated the park starting in the late 1890s and ran until the early 1980s.  The park was home to a zoo, carousels, coasters and bumper car attractions to […]

Explore Hells Hollow Falls at McConnells Mill State Park

A short hike that follows Hell Run until it reaches the 18-foot high Hells Hollow Falls and a lime kiln from the 1850s. Trailhead Location: Parking & Trailhead can be found at (40.931375, -80.239854) Distance & Type: 1 mile (1.6 km) out and back Elevation change: +/- 20-feet Difficulty: Easy hike on a well maintained […]

Hike to Grindstone Falls, McConnells Mill State Park, PA

Take the short hike to this hidden gem at McConnells Mill State Park. Trailhead Location: – Parking (40.911098, -80.195419)  – Trailhead (40.911329, -80.196902) Distance & Type: 1.2 miles (2km) total out and back Elevation change: 258’ Difficulty: Easy Hike Features: The beautiful Grindstone Falls The lower cascades on Grindstone Run Solitude (If you are looking […]