Established Camping
Hearts Content Recreation Area
Hearts Content Recreation Area, near Warren, Pennsylvania, is a peaceful campground tucked away in the Allegheny National Forest. This spot is perfect for those who crave a quiet escape, with spacious sites that offer a good amount of privacy thanks to the dense tree cover.
The campground features clean drinking water available at several spigots and well-maintained pit toilets, which visitors have noted are surprisingly odor-free. Campers appreciate the fire rings and picnic tables at each site, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors and gather around the fire at night. One visitor remarked, “We could barely see our ‘neighbors’ through the trees,” highlighting the sense of seclusion you can find here.
For outdoor lovers, the area boasts several hiking trails, including one that transforms into a cross-country skiing path in winter. The nearby town of Warren offers essential supplies and a few dining options, so you won’t be completely cut off from civilization. Just keep in mind that cell service can be spotty, so it’s a great chance to unplug and soak in the natural beauty around you.
While there are no showers or electric hookups, the serene atmosphere and well-kept amenities make Hearts Content a solid choice for anyone looking to unwind in nature. Whether you’re camping in a tent or an RV, you’ll likely find this place to be a refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Allegheny National Forest
Overview
Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a patch of planted pine forest. There is a large open field and amphitheater that is suitable for other games near the campground entry, and another large field at the back of the campground that serves as both group camping sites and a helispot. Hearts Content Campground is operated under a concession permit by Allegheny Site Management.
Recreation
Cross-country Ski Trail: This 6.4 mile (10.5 km) trail utilizes old railroad grades, roads and existing trails to form several loops for your skiing pleasure. The Wheeler Loop Trail goes through the campground and connects to the Tom's Run and Ironwood trails in the Hearts Content Scenic Area. These trails are marked with blue plastic diamonds on the trees. Hickory Creek Wilderness: The trailhead is located approximately 1/4 mile north of the campground entrance. This 8,663-acre area provides opportunities for solitude and a primitive and unconfined type of recreation as a refuge from our highly modified and technological world. No motorized equipment of any kind and no mechanical transports are permitted. A 13-mile loop hiking trail weaves its way through the rolling terrain, climbing in and out of the valleys. It is sparsely marked and maintained to promote a feeling of wildness and the unknown. It may not be suitable for novice hikers - please know your limitatons and do not add markings to help with way-finding. Orienteering Course: Enjoy this self-guided course that allows you or your group to follow, at your leisure. It is a permanently marked route as an introduction to the sport of orienteering. It starts in the Hearts Content Scenic Area.
Natural Features
North of the campground, Hearts Content National Scenic Area is located next to the picnic area across the road. Here stands the remnants of a 300 to 400 year old stand of white pine, hemlock, and beech. Time, insects, and disease are changing the look and nature of this stand. The Interpretive Old Growth Trail starts at the north end of the east side parking lot and winds about one mile through the timber stand before returning to the picnic area. All facilities in the day use area are universally accessible to people with disabilities. Facilities include a picnic area, pavilions, toilet and interpretive materials. South of the campground is Hickory Creek Wilderness, an 8,633 acre second-growth forest of dense trees and ferny undergrowth. This area is managed to let natural processes determine what it will be in the future. Wind, insects, disease, and drought are all shaping the species composition of the trees and understory, which will in turn determine what species of wildlife will inhabit this area. A roughly 13-mile trail traverses the plateau of the area, with the trailhead located approximately 1/4 of a mile north of the campground entrance. The trail is only occasionally marked and may not be suitable for novice hikers.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (814) 363-9090.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations and changes must be made through Recreation.gov
Location
Hearts Content Recreation Area is located in Pennsylvania
Directions
Hearts Content Recreation Area is located 15 miles southwest of Warren, PA. From the Mohawk exit of U.S. Route 6, take Pleasant Drive south for 11 miles. Turn left onto State Secondary Route 2002 (Hearts Content Road) and go south for four miles to Hearts Content. The Hearts Content Recreation Area is split by State Route 2002, with the campground on the west side of the road and the scenic area on the east side. Coming from the east, take PA-6 to Sheffield and turn left at the stop lightonto PA-666. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right after 1 block onto Bull Hill Road and cross Tionesta Creek on the iron bridge, heading up the hill to the left. This road changes names several times (Bull Hill, Austin Hill, Hearts Content), but is State Secondary Route 2002. Follow it for 13.3 miles to Hearts Content. The campground will be on the left (west) side of the road and the scenic area will be slightly further ahead on the right.
Coordinates
41.6955556 N
79.2577778 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 26 min from Erie
- 1 hr 57 min from Youngstown
- 2 hrs from Buffalo
- 2 hrs 38 min from Altoona