The aptly named Forest Cathedral is home to towering trees older than our nation and is of the few places left in PA where you can explore old growth forest.
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area boasts behemoth trees, some nearly 200 feet tall. It is one of the few places in Pennsylvania where these ancient giants survived the axe, with some trees over 400 years old.
The Forest Cathedral Natural Area is located in a gorge at Cook Forest State Park where Tom’s Run flows into the Clarion River. From the spacious parking lot located at 41.34602, -79.21769, head toward the Log Cabin educational center. Take time to read the interesting information kiosks along the way.
The trail curves right after the log cabin and passes the memorial fountain pictured above. The towering canopy immediately justifies the name “Forest Cathedral”.
There are eighteen tree species in Cook Forest that are over 150 years old and many trees over 300 years old. The most ancient are over 400 years old. Many trees tower over 150 feet.
We took the Ancient Forest Trail into the heart of the Forest Cathedral then turned left at the Longfellow trail, forming a switchback up the side of the gorge. This area had the highest concentration of the mammoth trees.
There are a network of trails running through the Forest Cathedral. Wanting to take the long way to maximize our experience in this arboreal wonderland, we turned right from the Longfellow Trail onto the Indian Trail which runs along the plateau at the top of the gorge. Although we were initially disappointed because of the lesser frequency of large trees on the Indian Trail, we were happily compensated with boulders.
The Indian Trail returns to the bottom of the gorge passing through a verdant evergreen landscape.
The Indian Trail exits the forest at the children’s fishing pond. But the adventure isn’t over yet! Turn right, pass through the cabin area, and take the Tom’s Run Trail to the swinging bridge. The undulating swinging bridge could qualify as an amusement park ride.
By the time you reach the other side, the bouncy crossing will leave you feeling you just got off of a boat! We were pleasantly wobbly for a minute after returning to tera firma.
From the swinging bridge you can return to the parking lot via mixing and matching the Tom’s Run Trail, Longfellow Trail, and Red Eft Trail. The bridge budget must have had a surplus that needed expending when this trail was designed. Check out the map below and you will see what I mean.
There are many routes you can take on the network of trails through the Forest Cathedral. The combination we took was 2.9 miles.
Parking is at 41.34602, -79.21769.
The Forest Cathedral is one of the few places where you can experience old growth forest. It is home to some of the tallest and oldest trees not just in Pennsylvania, but the eastern United States, so we strongly recommend it for your bucket list. This adventure is best experienced as an open-ended ramble, so give yourself time to wander the network of trails and revel in the rare, remarkable sylvan beauty of the place.
While you’re here, there’s even more old growth forest and scenic views at Senica Point.
Thinking camping here? We did the legwork for you: see our Complete Cook Forest State Park Campground Review so you can pick the perfect spot.
Also, be sure to check out our other adventures.
