Tobecco Trail

The Tobecco Trail begins near the Gateway Lodge on PA Route 36 in Cook Forest State Park and travels east through the Clarion River Lands, ending at a small parking area with a trail kiosk just off PA Route 899, north of the Tadler Run junction. This marked hiking route traces the Clarion River through mixed hardwood and hemlock forest, with a mix of level walking near the river and steeper climbs to ridgetop viewpoints. The trail forms part of a larger network connecting two state parks and offers a quiet, varied landscape that includes sections of old-growth forest within Cook Forest. To continue on to Clear Creek State Park, hikers can follow PA Route 899 south for a short distance, then rejoin the Tobecco Trail at the Tadler Run junction. From there, follow the trail through the western portion of Clear Creek State Park to reach the campground area. While some hikers complete the full point-to-point route with a shuttle, many choose to hike between Cook Forest and the PA 899 trailhead as a strenuous out-and-back. With riverside walking, ridge climbs, and deep forest solitude, this route highlights some of the best hiking terrain in northwestern Pennsylvania.