Hickory Run State Park: 16 Acres of Rocks and a Trail Called Death

Quick Facts

• Location: Carbon County (Exit 274 off I-80, Poconos)
• Size: 15,990 acres, 44 miles of trails
• Key Feature: Boulder Field (National Natural Landmark, 16.5 acres)
• Best For: Families, campers, geology nerds
• Warnings: Parking at Hawk Falls fills by 9 AM, swimming only at the lake (not waterfalls), bears are active.

Hickory Run State Park is home to 16.5 acres of rocks. Not a rocky trail - an actual field of nothing but boulders, some the size of cars, stacked 12 feet deep. It’s been here for 20,000 years, and you can drive right to it. Or you can hike 3.5 miles through the woods to earn it. Either way, it’s the weirdest thing in the Poconos.

Visit the PA DCNR site for camping reservations and check AllTrails for current trail conditions.

The Boulder Field - 16.5 acres of boulders from the last Ice Age

The Boulder Field (Why You’re Here)

What It Is

A 16.5-acre field of boulders left behind by the last Ice Age 20,000 years ago. It’s the largest periglacial boulder field in the Appalachians. The rocks range from 3 feet to 30 feet long and are stacked 10-12 feet deep. It looks like the surface of another planet.

The field formed through gelifluction - freeze-thaw cycles fractured upslope bedrock, and the resulting boulders moved downslope in a slurry of rock, sand, and ice over permafrost. Some boulders have been exposed for nearly 600,000 years.

How to Get There

You have two options:

• Drive: Take the 5-mile one-way dirt loop (Boulder Field Road) off Sand Spring Road. Low-clearance cars can make it if you go slow. The road closes in winter.
• Hike: The Boulder Field Trail is 3.5 miles one-way from SR 534. It’s a slog, but you’ll earn the view.

What to Expect

You can walk on the boulders, but watch your footing - the gaps between rocks are deep, and ankles don’t bend that way. It’s hot in summer (no shade) and slippery when wet. Do NOT bring a stroller.

The Trails: Waterfalls and Ominous Names

Hawk Falls (The Easy Win)

• Distance: 0.6 miles one-way
• Difficulty: Moderate descent, harder climb back
• The Waterfall: 25 feet tall, natural, and you can’t swim in it (rangers ticket for this).
• Parking: Small lot off PA-534. It fills by 9 AM on weekends and overflows onto the highway (dangerous). Get there early.

Hawk Falls - 25 feet tall, no swimming allowed

Shades of Death (The Name Is Real)

• Distance: 1 mile one-way
• Why It’s Called That: Civil War-era settlers found the dense hemlocks and rhododendrons so dark and the swampy soil so unfarmable that they called it “deathly.” The name stuck.
• What You’ll See: Rhododendron tunnels, 1800s logging dams, Sand Spring Run cascades, and a staircase cut into the rock between two boulders.
• Pro Tip: The roots are slicker than ice when wet. Bring trekking poles.

Sand Spring Lake (The Only Place You Can Swim)

Swimming is ONLY allowed at Sand Spring Lake. The beach is open late May through mid-September with lifeguards on duty. There’s a snack bar, picnic tables, and restrooms. In winter, the lake is open for ice skating (unmonitored - check ice thickness yourself).

⚠️ Warning: Do NOT swim at the waterfalls. Rangers ticket for this, and people have died jumping off rocks.

Camping (381 Sites, Bears Included)

Hickory Run has one of the largest campgrounds in the Poconos:

• 381 sites total
• 115 electric hookups
• 15 full hookup sites (water, sewer, electric)
• Dogs allowed in designated sites
• Bears are active: Food storage rules are strictly enforced. Store everything in your vehicle, even for short periods.

Pro Tip: Sites around 158 are spacious and private (no electric). Full hookup sites cost around $42/night.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Parking at Hawk Falls Is a Nightmare

The lot is tiny and fills by 9 AM on weekends. Cars overflow onto PA-534, which is dangerous. Get there early or skip it for Shades of Death.

Don’t Drive to Boulder Field on a Saturday

The dirt road becomes a one-way traffic jam. Hike from the campground if you’re staying overnight.

Swimming Rules Are Strict

Lake only. Not the waterfalls. Rangers will ticket you.

Bears Are Real

This is an active bear area. Follow food storage rules or risk a fine (and a bear in your campsite).

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Waterfalls are flowing, rhododendrons are blooming (June). Fewer crowds.
• Summer: Peak season. The lake is open for swimming, but parking is a nightmare.
• Fall: The Boulder Field is spectacular in October when the surrounding forest turns orange and red. Cooler temps make hiking more pleasant.
• Winter: Boulder Field Road is closed, but you can hike to it. The lake is open for ice skating (unmonitored).

FAQ

Is the Boulder Field natural? Yes, it’s a glacial relic from 20,000 years ago.

Can you swim in the waterfalls? No. Swimming is only allowed at Sand Spring Lake. Rangers ticket for waterfall swimming.

Why is it called Shades of Death? Settlers found the dense, dark forests and swampy soil “deathly” to farm and traverse.

Is it dog-friendly? Yes, except the swimming beach. Leashes required.

Explore More

• Check out the Poconos region guide.
• Compare this to Ricketts Glen for more difficult waterfall hikes.