Nature & Wildlife

Cook Forest State Park will be conducting a 6.6 mile wilderness interpretive canoeing program on the Allegheny River.  We will be putting in at the West Hickory bridge boat launch at the intersections of RT62 & RT127, and plan on making stops at King and Baker Islands highlighting magnificent bottomland forests and wildlife found in the Allegheny River Islands Wilderness Area.  King Island represents the finest stand of large stature sycamore and silver maple on the upper stretches of the Allegheny, with Baker Island boasting the tallest known sycamore in Northwestern Pennsylvania, even after surviving the 1985 derecho that tore into the surrounding countryside.  Fishing is excellent here, so don’t forget your fishing poles!  We will meet promptly at the Park Office and car-pool to the starting point at West Hickory.  Weeds are high on the islands where we’ll be hiking.  Proper boating & hiking footwear and leg protection a must.  No flip flops, old hiking shoes or sneakers is good.  Cost is $50/boat with check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Lunch will be provided to those who register by 8/11 by calling the Park Office at (814)744-8407.  Prior Cook Forest kayak training participants receive a 50% discount.  Space is limited, so please reserve early.