Hearts Content Recreation Area
The numbers that decide it
- Longest rig
- 45 ft
- Sites
- 27
- Electric hookups
- Not published
- Pull-through sites
- Not published
- Paved access
- No
- Accessible sites
- Not published
- Driveway grade
- Slight
- Bear boxes
- Not published
- Campfires
- Yes
- Shade
- Not published
- Group sites
- Not published
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov
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. View/Download Brochures: • Hearts Content Recreation Area • Hiking/Cross Country Ski Trails • Hearts Content Orienteering Trails
Before you go
Season
January 1 – December 31
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
Campground: • Daily camping fee: $12.00 - $14.00/site • Daily group site camping fee: $80.00 • Day-use area, picnic pavilion, and trails: No fees
Hours
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
Restrictions
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 on-line or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forest. Applicable Orders for this Site: • Hearts Content Recreation Area • Developed Camping
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.