Allegheny River Big Trees & History Float: Buckaloons-Thompsons Island

Cook Forest State Park will be conducting a two-day ‘Old Growth Forest Ecosystems Educator Workshop’. This course is considered an Advanced Project Learning Tree workshop with educators having the option to receive Act 48 hours.

Cook Forest State Park and the Jefferson County History Center will be conducting an interpretive 3.8 mile boating program on the Allegheny River. We will be putting in at the Buckaloons Recreation Area and plan on making stops at Crulls Island, the General Irvine plantation, and Thompsons Island highlighting magnificent bottomland forests and history along the way. Crulls Island is touted to hold old growth. Sycamore have been found on the islands to reach heights surpassing 140ft. Thompsons Island was the site of the only Revolutionary war battle fought in Northwestern Pennsylvania. We will meet promptly at the Park Office and car-pool to the starting point at the Buckaloons. Remember to wear proper river footwear. All boats and appropriate gear provided. Cost is $50/boat with check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Only experienced boaters permitted. Lunch provided to those who register by 8/19 by calling the Park Office at (814)744-8407. Prior Cook Forest kayak training participants receive a 50% discount.

Friday, August 23, 2024 8am to 4:30pm

Related upcoming events

  • 03-07-26 All day

    Please join us at the Fire Tower parking lot for a night hike in, around, and under the rocks of Seneca Point.  We’ll be looking and listening for animals that go bump in the night, and exploring the caves and crevices they live in.  One never knows what we’ll find on this challenging hike at night.  Creepy cave crickets abound.  Bring your hardhats and headlamps!

    Friday, July 3, 2026 8pm to 10pm

  • 04-07-26 All day

    Please meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental  Learning    Classroom for an interpretive hike into the Forest Cathedral, a registered National Natural Landmark.  Learn how to identify old growth forest characteristics, and observe different types of environmental disturbance that are an integral part of old growth forest ecosystems.

     Saturday, July 4, 2026 3pm to 5pm

  • 04-07-26 All day

    Please bring your headlamps, GPS units, and phones to the park amphitheater to help us celebrate America’s 250th birthday.  Come help us find DCNR’s new old growth geocache with a new twist, trying to find one at night!

    Saturday, July 4, 2026 8pm to 10pm

  • 05-07-26 All day

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

    Sunday, July 5, 2026 11:30am to 2:30pm

  • 12-07-26 17:00 - 12-07-26 19:00

    Cook Forest State Park, River Pavilion

    100 RT 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217-0120

    Sunday evenings, nurturing your mental & physical health, moderate level hiking, approximately 2hrs long, open to all women ages 14 & up, dogs on a leash, rain or shine.

     

    July 12

    500pm starting at the River Pavilion

     

    For more information, please contact Meredith Reinhart (814)319-4621.

  • 18-07-26 All day

    Late spring and early summer are 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 and rocky terrain.  Sturdy walking stick and hiking boots are advised.

     Saturday, July 18, 2026 9:30am to 1:30pm

  • 31-07-26 All day

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

    Friday, July 31, 2026 1pm to 2:30pm

  • 16-08-26 17:00 - 16-08-26 19:00
    Cook Forest State Park, Nuthole Pavilion

    100 RT 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217-0120

    Sunday evenings, nurturing your mental & physical health, moderate level hiking, approximately 2hrs long, open to all women ages 14 & up, dogs on a leash, rain or shine.

    August 16

    500pm starting at the Nuthole Pavilion

     

    For more information, please contact Meredith Reinhart (814)319-4621.

  • 19-09-26 11:00 - 19-09-26 15:00

    Come celebrate America’s 250th birthday as you walk back in time in our to observe, and possibly sample, historical cast iron cooking from our nation’s past.  State park educators from North Central and Western PA will be dressed in period clothing preparing period dishes that relate back to their park from our nation’s founding to the late 1800’s.  This is a one-time-only new park event that you will NOT want to miss!  Located at our River Cabin area, just upstream from our new River Pavilion along River Road about 1 mile up-river from the RT36 Cooksburg Bridge.

     Saturday, September 19, 2026 11am to 3pm

  • 27-09-26 17:00 - 27-09-26 19:00
    Cook Forest State Park, Park Office

    100 RT 36, Cooksburg, PA 16217-0120

    Sunday evenings, nurturing your mental & physical health, moderate level hiking, approximately 2hrs long, open to all women ages 14 & up, dogs on a leash, rain or shine.

    September 27

    500pm starting at the Park Office

     

    For more information, please contact Meredith Reinhart (814)319-4621.

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