Purple Lizard Map – Cook Forest/Clear Creek

COOK FOREST – CLEAR CREEK

Published in 2021, the Cook Forest – Clear Creek Lizard Map will help you and yours plan adventures in and around Cook Forest, one of Pennsylvania’s most cherished outdoor recreation destinations. It covers all of Clear Creek State Forest, Cook Forest State Park, Clear Creek State Park and the southernmost tier of the Allegheny National Forest, a beautiful stretch of the Clarion River from Halton/Irwin Run downriver to Clarion,  southeast to the town of Brookville, and all the extraordinary public land and outdoor recreational opportunities in between. 

This map includes a detailed inset map of Cook Forest and the famed Cathedral Forest, and a detailed map of the Kennerdale Tract, which is separate parcel of Clear Creek State Forest on the Allegheny River northwest of Clarion.

A beautifully designed, easy to read topographic map featuring contour lines, elevation data, shaded relief, and all the key details you need to plan your adventures: backroads and trails, trail use designations, road surfaces (paved and dirt), the North Country Trail and Rail 66 Country Trail, parking access, campsites, public lands, historic sites and more. 

All Lizard Maps are durable, waterproof (and adventure proof) maps designed specifically for outdoor recreation. They give you all the specific info you need and the big picture so you can make the most of your outdoor adventures. The map opens to 24” x 36” and folds easily to 4” x 8” to fit in your back pocket. The scale is 1:39,387 (1.6 inch = 1 mile). Includes both lat./lon. and UTM coordinate systems.

Public land: all of Cook Forest and Clear Creek State Forest, multiple State Game Lands and a southernmost section of Allegheny National Forest including the Loleta Recreation Area and Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Area.  

Destinations: There are beautiful vistas, and gorgeous hiking trails, and beautiful stretches of water, including a big stretch of the Clarion River in this part of Northeastern PA, with too many outdoor recreation destinations to list here. Keep your eyes out for Purple Lizards to help you find your way to some of our favorite special spots along the river and throughout the trails system and roads.

Roads: all Lizard Maps show which roads are paved, dirt/gravel and gated Administration roads. Lizard Maps are perfect for bicyclists, motorcyclists and and overlanders looking to put together remote backcountry routes across public lands.

Major hiking trails: The North Country Trail (NCT) and Baker Trail are shown where they traverse this map. The NCT is mapped from Clarion, PA, in the southwest corner to State Game Land 24 in the northeast corner. It shows the route of the NCT through Clear Creek State Forest and Cook Forest State Park, as well as the many private land traverses and road crossings so you can easily plan day hikes, or through hikes, or tackle the entire NCT which is the longest in the National Trails System at 4,700 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont. The Baker Trail is mapped from the southern end where it enters the map at Corsica, PA, north to Cook Forest SP where it joins the NCT. 

Equestrian trails: The designated equestrian trails in Cook Forest State Park are shown, as well as the shared use trails throughout Clear Creek State Forest.

ATV Trails: A section of the Timberline ATV Trail on Allegheny National Forest from the Buehler Trailhead on Arroyo Road north to NF Road 135.

Even more trails! Lizard Maps highlight and designate public trails and paths including hiking, biking, equestrian and rail trails managed by federal, state and local authorities, including DCNR, Allegheny National Forest and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Points of interest: Campgrounds, picnic areas, river access, boat launches,  primitive car camping sites, scenic overlooks and lizard spots. 

Wild and Natural areas: Forest Cathedral Natural Area, Swamp Natural Area, Loleta Recreation Area and Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Area 

Towns: Clarion, Cooksburg, Brookville, Leeper, Lucinda, and Marienville.  

Lizards! The little purple Lizards you’ll find scattered on the map signify an interesting spot to check out. The Legend says “ This Could Mean Anything: cool place, sweet view, local legend.” 

It will take you months, maybe years, to explore all the cool places on this map – with your Lizard Map in hand, there is always more to explore.

“Our customers have been asking for us to map this unique area for years and we are thrilled the map is now complete. The Cook Forest and Clear Creek area really is special.  From the breathtaking beauty of the old growth forests, to the vibrancy of Clear Creek and the Southeastern Tier of the Allegheny National Forest, this is an area that speaks to the heart of any outdoor adventurer.” Michael Hermann – Lead Cartographer