Hearts Content Recreation Area
Walk among the 300 to 400-year-old white pines which tower Hearts Content, a 122-acre area containing old-growth forest. In 1977, Hearts Content was designated as a registered National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. This designation indicates that the site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment.
In an area which was mostly clear-cut in the 1800s, 20 acres of what is now Hearts Content was owned by Wheeler and Dusenbury Lumber Company from 1897 to 1922. Wheeler and Dusenbury deeded the land to the U.S. Forest Service in 1923. Shortly after, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers constructed the campground, picnic area, and a pavilion in 1936.
The 12-mile Hickory Creek trail begins just north of the campground, exploring a designated Wilderness area. Nearby trails for day hikes and cross-country skiing can be found across the road from the Hearts Content campground including Tom's Run Loop, Wheeler Loop, Ironwood Loop, and the Hearts Content Interpretation Trail.
Reservations
Reservations are accepted for all campground sites from May 1 to Oct. 26. All campground sites are also available as first come, first served.
- Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit.
- Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of visit.
- Go to Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 to make a reservation.
General Information
Camping
Amenities:
- picnic table
- fire ring
- tent pad
- lean-to shelter (2 sites)
- charcoal grill (2 sites)
No. of Sites:
- Single: 26
- Group: 1
Fire Information: Campfires are permitted as long as fires are maintained in a fire ring and fully extinguished when leaving.
No. of Accessible sites: 0
Sleeping Shelter: 2 shelters
RV Camping
- Pavement Type for Parking: hardened
- Hookup - Water: No
- Hookup - Sewer: No
- Dump Stations: Yes
- Hookups - Electric: No
Trails and day-use area open year-round. Campground open 05/01 - 10/26.
Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you online or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forest.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $12/night.
Interagency Recreation Passes are Honored.
*Per-person fee sites: Admits pass holder and up to 3 people (for a maximum of 4 people).*
https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Please be prepared to pay with CASH or CHECK.
Daily group site camping fee: $80.00
Day-use area, picnic pavilion, and trails: No fees
Address: 29 Forest Service Dr. Bradford, PA 16701
Phone: 814-362-4613
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 41.6900001
Longitude: -79.25916667
Directions
From the Mohawk exit of U.S. Route 6 in Warren
- Take Main Ave. for <1 mile to the intersection with Pleasant Drive/State Route 3005/337.
- Turn right onto Pleasant Drive/State Route 3005/337.
- Travel 10.7 miles on Pleasant Drive/State Route 3005/337.
- Where Pleasant Drive/State Route 3005/337 turns right continue straight on State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road.
- Travel on State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road for 3.7 miles.
- The entrance is located on the left.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Yes, drinking water is available from a hand pump
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single Info
There is a large grassy area to set-up games, short interpretive trail across the road and an orienteering trail.
Amenities:
- picnic table
- grills
Day Hikes Info
The recreation area provides access to several trails through the Hearts Content Area:
- Hearts Content Interpretive Trail - a short 1.1-mile loop trail through the Old-Growth Forest (300+ year old white pine, hemlock and beech forest)
- Tom's Run Loop - 3.2-mile cross-country ski trail (located north of the trailhead)
- Ironwood Loop - 3.3-mile cross-country ski trail (located southeast of the trailhead and
- Wheeler Loop - 1.3-mile cross-country ski trail (located west of the trailhead and encircling Hearts Content Campground.
- Orienteering Trail - 5.9 miles (a competitive sport that involves using a map and compass to find your way in unfamiliar terrain) can also be accessed from this trailhead. There are three orienteering courses to select from:
- Introductory - controls 1 - 10 are designed for easy hiking (all on trails), easy navigation;
- Intermediate - controls 21 - 26 are designed to be easy hiking (mostly on trails) but more difficult navigation;
- Advanced - controls 31 - 35 are designed for off-trail hiking and very difficult navigation.
The trailhead is plowed during winter activity season - generally between December 20 and April 1.
The Orienteering Trail is located in Hearts Content Recreation Area. The course is self-guided and allows you or your group to follow a permanently marked route as an introduction to the sport of orienteering.
Orienteering is a recreation and competitive sport that involves using a map and compass to find your way in unfamiliar terrain. The object is to select and follow the best route to a series of designated points where markers (controls) will be located.
The challenge results from the fact that the course is marked in no other way than the controls themselves. The fun, and the test lies in determining the best and fastest route. In competitive form, the controls must be found in the least possible time, and the course itself is not known beforehand.
Orienteering provides an opportunity for full involvement by every member of the family improving your knowledge of geography and practical navigation and enhancing physical and mental fitness as well.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Viewing Wildlife Info
Over 70 species of game and non-game fish live in the Allegheny National Forest. Over 300 species of mammals, including raccoon, gray squirrel, snowshoe hare, red and gray fox, beaver, mink, and muskrat as well as game species such as white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
For information on species common to Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny National Forest visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website for game and nongame species information.
When you see wildlife, please remember:
- never feed wildlife
- don't interfere with mating, predation or other natural behaviors.
- keep a respectful distance
- preserve habitat by following "leave no trace" principles.
- leave young wildlife where you find them.
If you think you've found a sick or injured animal, please call the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Viewing Plants Info
The original forest was a mixture of white pine, Eastern hemlock, and American beech, with a multi-layered understory of hobble bush, witch hazel, and many other species.
Time, weather, insects, and disease have all affected the forest in different ways, along with a high population of deer. These have changed, and will continue to change, the species composition and the look and feel of this forest with implications far into the future.
The oldest of the existing trees, mostly white pine and Eastern hemlock, are estimated at 300-400 years old.
Many of the other trees in the stand are younger and have come in through natural succession, displaying multiple vertical layers of vegetation typical of a natural, not human-influenced, forest and occasional open gaps where large old trees have fallen and young seedlings and saplings are filling in to renew the forest.
For more information about the types of plants and trees you may see on the Allegheny:
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Info
This 10.5-kilometer (7.8-mile) trail utilizes old railroad grades, roads and existing trails to form several loops for your skiing pleasure.
- Tom's Run Loop - 3.2-mile cross-country ski trail (located north of the trailhead)
- Ironwood Loop - 3.3-mile cross-country ski trail (located southeast of the trailhead and
- Wheeler Loop - 1.3-mile cross-country ski trail (located west of the trailhead and encircling Hearts Content Campground.
Warming Shelters: No
Base Conditions: Not groomed