Where is the trailhead?

The only trailhead is at a dedicated parking area off State Route 2002, also called Hearts Content Road. From its intersection with State Route 3005/337/Pleasant Drive, follow Hearts Content Road for 3.2 miles. The trailhead coordinates are 41.698, -79.253.

How difficult is the loop?

The Hickory Creek Trail is a rolling 12-mile loop through gentle to moderate terrain, without particularly steep slopes. Hiking and backpacking are rated intermediate. Sparse markings and minimal maintenance add navigation demands beyond the physical effort.

Are bikes or horses allowed?

Wilderness trails are restricted to foot travel. Mechanized and motorized travel are prohibited, as are hooved pack and saddle animals.

Can the loop be backpacked, and are campfires allowed?

The loop can be an overnight backpacking trip. Confirm current camping rules before choosing a site. Campfires must be maintained in a fire ring and completely extinguished; check current fire restrictions before lighting one.

Is drinking water available?

No potable water is available at the site. East Hickory Creek and Middle Hickory Creek run through the wilderness, but carry drinking water and treat any natural water collected.

Who manages Hickory Creek Wilderness?

The Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest manages the area. Contact the district at 814-362-4613 for current conditions and rules. The wilderness is open year-round, with operational hours listed as 24 hours a day.

Hickory Creek Wilderness

Hickory Creek is one of only two designated wilderness areas in Pennsylvania. It rises from 1,273 feet to a plateau at 1,900 feet. Densely forested, this wilderness contains mostly northern hardwoods...

Plan a trip to Hickory Creek Wilderness

Region: PA, USA
Country: United States
Best for: hiking
Best season: Spring, Summer
Permits: Confirm current permit requirements and wi…
Managed by: USDA Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest, Bradford Ranger District

Plan with verified data

Hickory Creek Wilderness trip tools

Month by month Weather & climate Routes & trails Itineraries Permits & access Safety & hazards Wildlife Photos Plan a trip here

Tools for a trip here

Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.

Photos of Hickory Creek Wilderness

20241029-FS-ANF-SO-001 Shoshanna Ochocki — A carpet of orange, crunchy leaves line the trail at Hickory Creek Wilderness Area. October 30 marks the 40th anniversary since the 1984 designation of Hickory Creek Wilderness as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System! USFS ph
Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region · Public Domain Mark

How to get there

The only trailhead is along State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road. From Warren, take Main Avenue, turn right onto Pleasant Drive, and travel on State Route 3005/337/Pleasant Drive for 10.7 miles. Continue straight at the intersection onto State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road, where State Route 3005 turns sharply right, then travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead area. From Tidioute, travel on Route 62 for 0.5 miles, turn left onto State Route 3005/337/Pleasant Drive, and continue for 13.5 miles. Turn right onto State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road, where State Route 3005 turns sharply left, then continue 3.2 miles. The listed site coordinates are 41.698, -79.253.

Hickory Creek Trailhead
The wilderness’s only trailhead is along State Route 2002/Hearts Content Road. It provides access to the 12-mile Hickory Creek Trail loop; expect minimal signage once on the trail.
State Route 2002 dedicated parking area
Dedicated parking just off State Route 2002 serves the Hickory Creek Trail. This is the parking component of the same single trailhead access, not a separate entrance or shuttle endpoint.

Sources: fs.usda.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

Driving directions ↗Open on a map ↗Plan the drive in the Trip Planner

PA, USA · United States

Plan a trip to Hickory Creek Wilderness

Known for

Winter Camping
Skiing
Hiking
Backpacking
Wildlife Viewing

State

Managing agency

Designated

1984

Map location

Sourced point inside the wilderness boundary — not a trailhead or campsite

A forested wilderness on rolling terrain

Hickory Creek Wilderness protects 9,337 acres in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest. Designated on October 30, 1984, it is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System and one of only two designated wilderness areas in Pennsylvania. The landscape rises from 1,273 feet where East Hickory Creek leaves the wilderness to a plateau at 1,900 feet. East Hickory and Middle Hickory Creek run through heavily forested terrain, with black cherry, oak, beech, birch and hemlock overhead. Flowers, ferns, shrubs and mosses fill the understory. Bear, deer and turkey are common. This is a destination for walking through continuous woodland rather than tackling steep slopes: the terrain is generally gentle to moderate, and the main hiking experience is a rolling loop through the forest.

One loop, with navigation part of the trip

The Hickory Creek Trail is the wilderness’s only designated trail, a 12-mile loop suited to either a full day on foot or an overnight backpacking trip. Its modest slopes do not tell the whole story. Signs and maintenance are minimal, and the yellow or white blazes painted on trees are faded and infrequent. Carry a trail map and a reliable navigation method rather than expecting clear markers at every decision point. Although the rolling loop is described as an easy day hike, the Forest Service’s activity rating for hiking and backpacking is intermediate. Choose the day-hike option only if the mileage fits the group’s pace and available daylight. An overnight trip spreads the walking over two days without requiring a different route or a second trailhead.

Water, winter travel and wilderness rules

Hickory Creek is open year-round, but winter changes the demands of the same terrain. Snow can make the trail difficult to follow, and the route is not groomed. There are no warming shelters; winter travelers should carry insulation and be prepared to navigate without a visible tread. Potable water is not available at the site, so bring drinking water and a treatment method if planning to use creek water. With bears common in the area, secure food and scented items and give wildlife space. Wilderness trails are restricted to foot travel; mechanized and motorized travel and hooved pack or saddle animals are prohibited. No site fees are required. Campfires must be maintained in a fire ring and completely extinguished. Check current forest alerts and rules before departure.

hiking

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Hickory Creek Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Coordinates

Decimal degrees: 41.6751, -79.2791
Latitude (DMS): 41° 40′ 30.5″ N
Longitude (DMS): 79° 16′ 44.9″ W

Open in Bing Maps Open in Apple Maps

Coordinates are an access-point reference for Hickory Creek Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.

Loading live weather & climate for Hickory Creek Wilderness…

Topic summary

Key takeaways

Region: PA, USA
Country: United States
Good for: hiking
Coordinates: 41.675, -79.279

Intended uses

hiking

Keep planning

All destinations Meal Planner Gear Builder Pursuits

Popular pursuits at Hickory Creek Wilderness

Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.

Animals around Hickory Creek Wilderness

Browse all wildlife guides →

A forested wilderness on rolling terrain

One loop, with navigation part of the trip

Water, winter travel and wilderness rules

Route options

Hickory Creek Trail day-hike loop12 milesIntermediate
Walk the full rolling loop as a day hike through northern hardwoods and hemlock. Gentle to moderate terrain keeps steep climbing limited, but faded blazes and minimal maintenance require attention to navigation.
Hickory Creek Trail overnight loop12 milesIntermediate
Use the same loop for an overnight backpacking trip, dividing the walking across two days. Carry drinking water or a treatment method, secure food around bears, and confirm current camping rules with the Bradford Ranger District.
Hickory Creek Trail winter outingDifficult
Follow the same trail in winter with preparation for ungroomed conditions and a route that may be difficult to trace after snowfall. No warming shelters are available; choose how far to travel according to conditions and navigation ability.

Sample itineraries

Hickory Creek Trail day loop · 1 day
Start at the dedicated parking area off State Route 2002 and hike the rolling 12-mile Hickory Creek Trail loop. Expect heavily forested terrain, minimal maintenance, and infrequent faded blazes. Allow enough daylight for navigation rather than treating the moderate terrain as a guarantee of quick travel.
Hickory Creek overnight loop · 2 days
Spread the 12-mile Hickory Creek Trail loop over two days for an overnight backpacking trip through northern hardwoods and hemlock. Confirm camping rules with the Bradford Ranger District before departure. Carry overnight equipment, navigation tools, and a water-treatment method; potable water is not available at the site.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Spring; within the January–December use season

Plan for changing weather on this heavily forested loop. Carry rain protection and layers, and check current trail conditions before departure. Minimal signs and faded blazes make independent navigation important regardless of season.

Summer

Summer; within the January–December use season

The route travels through dense northern hardwoods and hemlock. Carry drinking water and a treatment method rather than relying on potable water at the trailhead. Allow time for route-finding along the minimally maintained loop.

Fall

Fall; within the January–December use season

Prepare for changing temperatures and match the 12-mile loop to available daylight. Pack insulating layers and a headlamp. The rolling terrain does not remove the need for careful navigation through the forest.

Winter

Winter; within the January–December use season

Winter hiking is allowed, but trails are ungroomed and may be difficult to follow after snowfall. There are no warming shelters. Winter sports are rated difficult; carry cold-weather equipment and be prepared to turn back when navigation becomes uncertain.

Season	Window	Conditions
Spring	Spring; within the January–December use season	Plan for changing weather on this heavily forested loop. Carry rain protection and layers, and check current trail conditions before departure. Minimal signs and faded blazes make independent navigation important regardless of season.
Summer	Summer; within the January–December use season	The route travels through dense northern hardwoods and hemlock. Carry drinking water and a treatment method rather than relying on potable water at the trailhead. Allow time for route-finding along the minimally maintained loop.
Fall	Fall; within the January–December use season	Prepare for changing temperatures and match the 12-mile loop to available daylight. Pack insulating layers and a headlamp. The rolling terrain does not remove the need for careful navigation through the forest.
Winter	Winter; within the January–December use season	Winter hiking is allowed, but trails are ungroomed and may be difficult to follow after snowfall. There are no warming shelters. Winter sports are rated difficult; carry cold-weather equipment and be prepared to turn back when navigation becomes uncertain.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm current permit requirements and wilderness rules with the Bradford Ranger District.

Fees: No fees are required for this site.

Official source: Allegheny National Forest | Hickory Creek Wilderness · Verified November 1, 2026

Hazards & regulations

The Hickory Creek Trail is minimally signed and maintained. Faded yellow or white blazes are infrequent; carry a map and reliable navigation tools.
Snowfall can obscure the trail. Winter routes are ungroomed, and no warming shelters are available.
Potable water is not available at the site. Bring drinking water and treat any creek water collected.
Bear are common. Keep food secured and give wildlife space.
The full loop is 12 miles. Budget daylight and energy for the entire route, including time spent finding the trail.

What to pack for Hickory Creek Wilderness

Navigation and safety

Hickory Creek Wilderness trail map
Compass and offline navigation
Headlamp
First-aid kit

Water and food

Drinking water and carrying capacity
Water filter or other treatment
Trail food
Bear-resistant food storage

Weather and overnight gear

Rain protection
Season-appropriate insulating layers
Shelter and sleeping system for overnight trips
Additional cold-weather protection for winter travel

Build this list in the gear builder →

Hickory Creek Wilderness FAQ

Where is the trailhead?: The only trailhead is at a dedicated parking area off State Route 2002, also called Hearts Content Road. From its intersection with State Route 3005/337/Pleasant Drive, follow Hearts Content Road for 3.2 miles. The trailhead coordinates are 41.698, -79.253.
How difficult is the loop?: The Hickory Creek Trail is a rolling 12-mile loop through gentle to moderate terrain, without particularly steep slopes. Hiking and backpacking are rated intermediate. Sparse markings and minimal maintenance add navigation demands beyond the physical effort.
Are bikes or horses allowed?: Wilderness trails are restricted to foot travel. Mechanized and motorized travel are prohibited, as are hooved pack and saddle animals.
Can the loop be backpacked, and are campfires allowed?: The loop can be an overnight backpacking trip. Confirm current camping rules before choosing a site. Campfires must be maintained in a fire ring and completely extinguished; check current fire restrictions before lighting one.
Is drinking water available?: No potable water is available at the site. East Hickory Creek and Middle Hickory Creek run through the wilderness, but carry drinking water and treat any natural water collected.
Who manages Hickory Creek Wilderness?: The Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest manages the area. Contact the district at 814-362-4613 for current conditions and rules. The wilderness is open year-round, with operational hours listed as 24 hours a day.