Cook Forest Hiking

Cook Forest State Park Fall Hike

Let's adventure!

Cosmos' Lounge is headed to Cook Forest State Park to take a hike! This day trip is open to teens grades 6–12 and includes everything you need for an epic day of fall hiking.

What we'll be doing

We'll hike through Cook Forest's famous old-growth forest home to some of the tallest, largest trees in Pennsylvania, some over 300 years old and nearly 200 feet tall. From there, we'll make our way to the park's swinging bridge, a rope bridge that crosses Tom's Run and really does sway as you cross it. If conditions and access allow, we'll finish with a climb up Fire Tower Road to the historic 1929 fire tower, which offers views of the surrounding forest on a clear day.

This route covers a few miles of trail with a real climb toward the fire tower, moderate to strenuous in spots, so teens should be ready to be on their feet and hiking uphill for a good stretch of the day. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must.

Why we're going

Cook Forest gives our teens a chance to unplug, get outside, and take on a physical challenge as a group hiking uphill toward a view they earned themselves. Finishing a hike like this builds real confidence: you set a goal, pushed through it, and got there. It's exactly the kind of experience Cosmos' Lounge exists to provide — getting teens outside, building independence, and showing them what they're capable of, one trail at a time.

What's included

• Admission to the park

• Round-trip transportation

• Supervision from Cosmos' Lounge adult chaperones

  
  

Trip Details

Trip Date: October 11, 2026

Departure/Return: Leaves from Cosmos' Lounge at 9:00 AM, returns in the evening around 5:00 PM

Safety first

All Cosmos' Lounge staff and chaperones hold current PA child care clearances and CPR certification. Because we can't guarantee that every parent or guardian on a trip would have the same clearances, parents are not able to join this trip — this keeps things safe and consistent for every teen in the group.

Spots are limited, and once they're gone, they're gone!