Heart Rock Trail
Short, scenic, and crowded. About 1.5–2 miles round-trip with ~280 ft of gain along Seeley Creek to the heart-shaped pothole above a 20-ft seasonal waterfall. You need an Adventure Pass ($5/day) to park, and the dirt lot off Highway 138 holds only ~8–10 cars — on spring weekends it's full by 9am.
The facts
- Difficulty
- Easy–moderate
- Distance
- 1.5–2 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain
- ~280 ft
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Pass required
- Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/yr) or Interagency pass
- Parking
- Dirt lot off Hwy 138 by Camp Seeley, ~8–10 cars
- Dogs
- Yes, on leash
- Restrooms
- No
- Cell coverage
- Spotty in the canyon
- Best season
- Winter–early summer (waterfall flows); dry by late summer
Getting there
Seeley Creek Trail 4W07, Hwy 138, Crestline, CA 92325
Get directions →The hike
From the parking area south of Camp Seeley, the Seeley Creek Trail (Forest Service trail 4W07) rolls gently through pine and cedar alongside the creek for about three-quarters of a mile before a short spur drops to the overlook. The payoff is one of the most photographed spots in the San Bernardinos: a naturally eroded, almost perfectly heart-shaped pothole in the granite beside a 20-foot waterfall.
The main trail is genuinely easy — kids do it constantly — but the final scramble down to the falls overlook is steep, loose, and the source of most of the trail's twisted ankles. In winter and after storms it can be icy; in late summer the falls usually dry to a trickle, so go in spring if the waterfall is the point.
Parking, honestly
This is the trail's real difficulty rating. The dirt lot off Highway 138 holds maybe 8–10 cars and requires an Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/year — an America the Beautiful pass also works). On weekends from March through June it fills by 9am, and the overflow situation is bad: the road into Camp Seeley is private camp property, and roadside shoulders on 138 are narrow and enforced.
Go on a weekday, or arrive before 9am on weekends. Full details in our Heart Rock parking guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Heart Rock Trail?
About 1.5–2 miles round-trip depending on where you start and whether you drop to the falls overlook — figure an hour to an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, with roughly 280 feet of elevation gain.
Do I need a pass to hike Heart Rock?
You need an Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/year) or an America the Beautiful interagency pass displayed in your car at the trailhead lot. The hike itself is free.
Is the waterfall flowing?
Seeley Creek falls flow best from winter through early summer, fed by snowmelt. By August the falls are often a trickle. After a good storm, the falls and the trail's creek crossings both run strong — wear real shoes.
Is Heart Rock Trail good for kids?
Yes, up to the overlook — the main trail is gentle. The final scramble down toward the falls is steep and loose; keep small kids on the upper viewpoint.
Facts on this page last verified July 17, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.