Nature & Wildlife

  1. Events
  2. Nature & Wildlife

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

The second Fish-for-Free Day in Pennsylvania for 2025

Celebrate Independence Day with a splash by enjoying Pennsylvania’s beautiful waterways without needing a fishing license! On Friday, July 4, 2025, all anglers can fish license-free across the state’s rivers, lakes, and streams. This special event is perfect for beginners, families, and seasoned anglers alike to explore the outdoors and enjoy the thrill of fishing at no cost. Please remember that all other fishing regulations, including size limits, creel limits, and seasonal restrictions, still apply to protect Pennsylvania’s fish populations. Be sure to check local rules before heading out and practice responsible fishing to help keep our waters healthy and vibrant for years to come. No license? No problem! Grab your fishing rod and tackle and make the most of this great opportunity on July 4th!

River Critters

Cook Forest 218 River Cabins Road, Cooksburg, PA, United States

Please bring your river sneakers, swimsuits, and snorkels to the Park Office as we drive to nearby watersheds to search for and identify hard to find underwater creatures.  Various species of fish, mussels, snakes and salamanders often make an appearance.  This is truly a wilderness experience.  Expect no public bathrooms.  Bring lunch & water.  Children must be with a participating adult.

Fire Tower/Seneca Point Historical Tour

Please bring your binoculars and meet at the Fire   Tower Parking Lot for an historical interpretive tour of the Fire Tower and Seneca Point by DCNR Conservation Volunteer, Greg Burns.  Learn about local logging history, observe Indian sign, and take a breathtaking view from the top of the Fire Tower.

Explore Clarion River Lands Walk with Friends’: Blyson Loop Waterfalls & Rocks Ramble

Are you curious as to what scenic surprises, wildlife, and local history lie within the newly acquired Clarion River Lands?  If so, you’ll need a guide to get you there.  Trails are steep, rocky, and sometimes hard to find, but the wilderness experience will be worth the effort.  This 3-mile interpretive, very strenuous, and often times off-trail hike climbs 460ft from the valley floor to the hilltop.  We’ll investigate rock outcrops along the way for wildlife and historic use.  The tail end of the hike loops back down along the picturesque Blyson Run Valley and its numerous small waterfalls.  Meet the Friends of Cook Forest at Park Office where we will drive to the starting point roughly 9 miles downriver.  Access to the kick-off point is not easy.  Pick-ups and jeeps are good, low clearance vehicles are bad.  Pack a lunch and bring plenty of water!

Searchin’ for Herps’ in the Clarion River Valley

Summer is a great time of year to go out looking for snakes, frogs, salamanders, and turtles.  We will start our car-pool at the Park Office to help the park naturalist survey herp’ hot spots along the Clarion.  Participants must be able to traverse steep muddy slopes, high weeds, and rocky terrain.  Sturdy walking stick, hiking boots, and long pants are advised.

Friends of Cook Forest: Women’s Hiking Series

Enjoy an evening nurturing your mental and physical health.  Moderate level hiking.  Approximately 2 hours long.  Open to all women (ages 14 & up).  Please meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.  For more information, please contact Meredith Reinhart at (814)319-4621 .