![Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area Kunes Camp in the spring of 2020.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-696x522.jpg)
The ruins of the abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area of Clearfield County are a testament to backwoods construction ingenuity.
They’re also a reminder of a controversial Cold War-era move by the State of Pennsylvania that evicted hundreds of camp owners from this remote area to allow a private company to turn it into a hub of secretive nuclear research.
![Steel door to the abandoned nuclear jet engine testing facility in Cameron County PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Quehanna-Nuclear-Jet-Engine-Bunker-West-door-closed.jpg)
Thankfully, the forest has erased many of the scars of this mid-50’s boondoggle (with millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded clean-up thrown in for good measure), and you can now enjoy a peaceful out-and-back hike to see the remnants of this once-proud hunting camp that was ingeniously built between two massive boulders on a clearing in the Quehanna Wild Area.
![Top-down view of Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-view-from-above-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
How to Find the Abandoned Kunes Camp
The ruins of the abandoned Kunes Camp are both easy to find and easy to hike to.
![Directions to the abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Directions-to-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
The parking area for the Kunes Camp Trail is right along the Quehanna Highway in Clearfield County, at GPS coordinates 41.21636, -78.17210.
An easy-to-spot-landmark for the parking area is a large mile marker with a “3” carved into it, directly across the road from the parking area.
![Kunes Camp parking along the Quehanna Highway](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-parking-area-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
There is also a “Kunes Camp” post near the highway, on the same side of the road as the parking area and trailhead.
![Kunes Camp Trail sign near the Quehanna Highway.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Trail-Quehanna-Wild-Area-trailhead-winter.jpg)
The trailhead is marked by a large boulder with a “Kunes Camp Road” sign on it.
![Kunes Camp trailhead near the Quehanna Highway](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-trailhead-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
The hike is approximately 0.9 miles one-way, from parking area to the camp ruins.
![Trail to the abandoned Kunes Camp in the spring.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Trail-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
The trail is well-worn, basically flat the entire way, and yellow-blazed.
![The yellow-blazed Kunes Camp Trail in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Trail-Quehanna-Wild-Area-Pennsylvania.jpg)
If you hike this in the spring or summer, you’ll encounter some of the finest fern-covered forest you’ve ever seen.
![A meadow of fern along the Kunes Camp Trail in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-Trail-fern-meadow.jpg)
Exploring the Ruins of Kunes Camp
As you draw near to Kunes Camp, the forest gives way to a clearing and a field of massive boulders.
The rectangular-shaped Kunes Camp was constructed using two of these boulders for the side walls.
![A young hiker at Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-PA-winter.jpg)
This gives Kunes Camp its unique appearance, while also contributing to its longevity despite being abandoned nearly 70 years ago.
![The abandoned Kunes Camp in early spring.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-approach.jpg)
It’s really impossible to miss Kunes Camp as long as you stick to the Kunes Camp Trail, as the trail literally passes THROUGH the ruins of the camp.
![Entrance to Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-1.jpg)
Kunes Camp can be found at GPS coordinates 41.20741, -78.18259.
![Standing in the doorway of Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-PA-front-entrance.jpg)
The wooden roof has long since rotted away, and trees now grow up out of the floor.
![Kunes Camp Trail passing through the abandoned camp.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-foundation-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
What is probably most remarkable about the abandoned Kunes Camp is how straight and intact the window and door frames still are, a tribute to the craftsmanship that went into building this hunting camp.
![Window at Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-window-Quehanna-Wild-Area-731x1024.jpg)
The two ends of the camp were meticulously constructed of stone and mortar, seemlessly melded into the long boulder walls.
![Back wall of the abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-exterior-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
The camp is approximately 40 feet long and 15 feet wide.
![The Abandoned Kunes Camp filled with snow.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-winter.jpg)
The sloped roof would have allowed rain and snow to sheet off easily, as well as providing ample headroom.
![Hiking through Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-PA-interior-winter.jpg)
The old chimney now lies in the middle of the floor, yet is still largely intact.
![Inside view of Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-Trail-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
There are some remarkable moss and fern formations growing on and around the foundation of Kunes Camp.
![Mossy rocks around the back of abandoned Kunes Camp.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-doorway-Quehanna-Wild-Area.jpg)
As well as a labyrinth of rock passageways to explore.
![Rock formations near Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-Rock-Formations.jpg)
No doubt many tall tales were told and good times were shared within these four walls.
![Remnants of the fallen chimney inside the abandoned Kunes Camp.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abandoned-Kunes-Camp-Quehanna-Wild-Area-winter.jpg)
The ghosts of the past may still haunt the abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area!
![Door and window frames at abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kunes-Camp-door-and-window.jpg)
Nearby Attractions
There are several more outstanding sights to see close to the abandoned Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area.
![How to find Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Quehanna-Wild-Area-Points-of-Interest-map.jpg)
The abandoned nuclear jet engine bunkers, which I mentioned earlier, are a fascinating and troubling part of Cold War-era history that played out here in Central Pennsylvania.
![Abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunker entrance.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Quehanna-Nuclear-Jet-Engine-Bunker-West-door-open.jpg)
Wykoff Run Falls is a much more natural part of the landscape, also located just a short distance from Kunes Camp.
![A fisherman at Wykoff Run Falls in Cameron County](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Wycoff-Run-Falls-Quehanna-Wild-Area-fisherman.jpg)
Table Falls is another small but almost-roadside waterfall in the Quehanna Wild Area.
![A September view of Table Falls, flowing high and clear on Paige Run.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Table-Falls-Elk-County-web.jpg)
Red Run Gorge Vista is one of the best off-trail scenic overlooks in the Quehanna Wild Area.
![Brilliant fall foliage at Red Run Gorge Vista in Elk County, Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Rusty-Glessner-Red-Run-Gorge-Quehanna-Wild-Area-October-2021.jpg)
Hiking the Fred Woods Trail in Cameron County introduces you to a 4.57 mile-long hike that takes you past two fantastic vistas, as well as one of Pennsylvania’s finest rock formations.
![The author at Huckleberry Vista along the Fred Woods Trail.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Huckleberry-Vista-Fred-Woods-Trail-Elk-State-Forest-PA.jpg)
The Ultimate Clearfield County Road Trip maps out a 109 mile adventure to see the best natural and man-made attractions in Clearfield County!
![A roadmap to six of the best things to see in Clearfield County, PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Six-Best-Things-to-See-In-Clearfield-County-PA-Driving-Map.jpg)
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