🌤 Weather at Hickory Run State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24–67 °F | 54–79 °F | 30–71 °F | 16–36 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Francis E Walter Dam, 7 mi away, elevation 1,509 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Stand at the edge and look out across a sea of boulders—thousands of massive rocks stretching 1,800 feet to the tree line, mysteriously flat, eerily silent, completely devoid of vegetation. This is the Boulder Field, a 16-acre geological wonder formed during the last Ice Age and designated a National Natural Landmark in 1967. There is nothing else like it in Pennsylvania—perhaps nothing quite like it anywhere.
But Hickory Run State Park is far more than its famous boulder field. Spread across nearly 16,000 acres of Pocono Mountain wilderness, the park offers over 40 miles of hiking trails, cascading waterfalls including the popular 25-foot Hawk Falls, excellent camping, and some of the most varied terrain in the state. Ranked as the #4 state park in Pennsylvania, Hickory Run delivers geology, waterfalls, history, and wild beauty in one sprawling wilderness.
Park Fast Facts
| 📍 Location | RR 1, Box 81, White Haven, PA 18661 |
| 🗺️ Region | Western Pocono Mountains / Carbon County |
| 📐 Total Area | 15,990 acres |
| 🪨 Boulder Field Size | 16 acres (1,800 ft wide) |
| 🥾 Trail Miles | 40+ miles |
| 💧 Waterfalls | Multiple (Hawk Falls most popular) |
| 🏆 PA Ranking | #4 State Park in Pennsylvania |
Entrance & Camping Fees
Park entrance is FREE! Camping fees vary by site type and residency.
| Type | PA Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 Day Use / Parking | FREE | FREE |
| ⛺ Basic Campsite | $17-27/night | $22-32/night |
| ⚡ Electric/Water Site | $60-75/night | $60-75/night |
| 🏡 Cabins/Cottages | $38-105/night | $38-105/night |
The Boulder Field
The Boulder Field is unlike anything else you’ll see in Pennsylvania. A perfectly flat expanse of boulders—some over 30 feet long—covers 16 acres with no vegetation, no soil, just rock. The effect is otherworldly.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 📏 Size | 16 acres (720,000 sq ft) |
| 📐 Width | ~1,800 feet at widest point |
| 🪨 Boulder Size | 3 to 30+ feet in length |
| 🧱 Rock Type | Gray-red sandstone & conglomerate |
| 🧊 Formation | ~20,000 years ago (last Ice Age) |
| 🏆 Status | National Natural Landmark (1967) |
💡 Tip: You can walk out onto the boulders—carefully! The rocks are uneven and can shift. Wear sturdy shoes and watch your step.
Waterfalls
Hickory Run features several waterfalls, with Hawk Falls being the most popular and accessible.
| Waterfall | Height | Trail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧 Hawk Falls | 25 ft | 0.6 mi loop | Most popular; no swimming; beautiful pool |
| 💧 Saylorsville Falls | ~15 ft | Nearby trailhead | Less crowded alternative |
| 💧 Shades of Death Falls | Multiple cascades | 1.0 mi out & back | Several waterfalls along Sand Spring Run (some man-made) |
Popular Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🪨 Boulder Field Trail | 3.5 mi RT | Moderate/Hard | Leads to the famous Boulder Field |
| 💧 Hawk Falls Trail | 0.6 mi loop | Moderate | 25-foot waterfall; rocky descent |
| 💀 Shades of Death Trail | 1.0 mi RT | Most Difficult | Rocky, scenic; multiple waterfalls along stream |
| 🌲 Gamewire Trail | 4.2 mi | Moderate | Forest hiking; connects to other trails |
| 🏊 Sand Spring Trail | 3.8 mi | Easy/Moderate | Leads to Sand Spring Lake (swimming) |
Camping
The campground offers 127 sites in a forested setting with modern amenities. Book early for summer weekends!
| Site Type | Count | Features |
|---|---|---|
| ⛺ Standard Sites | ~112 | Tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables |
| ⚡ Full Hookup Sites | 15 | Electric, water, sewer connections |
| 🏡 Rustic Cottages | Available | Year-round; basic kitchen, woodstove |
| 👥 Group Camping | Available | Large organized groups |
Campground Amenities
- 🚿 Modern Restrooms – Flush toilets, hot showers
- 🛒 Camp Store – Firewood, ice, supplies
- 🚰 Dump Station – For RVs
- 📅 Season – Mid-April to mid-October (some cottages year-round)
Swimming
Sand Spring Lake offers a beach and designated swimming area during summer season. Lifeguards on duty seasonal weekends. Swimming is NOT permitted at Hawk Falls.
Seasonal Activities
| Season | Activities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring (Apr-May) | Hiking, waterfalls at peak flow | Trails can be muddy; wildflowers |
| ☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug) | Camping, swimming, hiking, Boulder Field | Peak season; book campsites early |
| 🍂 Fall (Sep-Nov) | Fall foliage hiking, camping | Spectacular colors; fewer crowds |
| ❄️ Winter (Dec-Mar) | Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing | 20 miles of ski trails; cottages open |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Hickory Run SP — 15,990 acres in the Pocono Mountains — features Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark — a 16-acre field of boulders deposited during the last ice age with no soil or vegetation between them. The park’s mountain forest, streams, and wetlands support black bears, bobcats, and timber rattlesnakes. Brook trout fill the mountain streams.
Nearby Attractions
White Haven — adjacent. Jim Thorpe — 10 miles south — has the Victorian downtown. Lehigh Gorge SP — adjacent. Big Pocono SP — 20 miles east. Pocono Mountains — surrounding.
What is the Boulder Field and how did it form?
The Boulder Field is a 16-acre expanse of thousands of boulders—some over 30 feet long—sitting on a perfectly flat valley floor with no vegetation. It formed around 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age when periglacial freeze-thaw cycles shattered bedrock and glacial meltwater deposited the boulders in this unusual flat configuration.
Can I walk on the Boulder Field?
Yes! You can walk out onto the boulders—but be careful. The rocks are uneven, sometimes wobbly, and require careful footwork. Wear sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support. Keep children supervised. It’s a unique experience but demands attention.
Can I swim at Hawk Falls?
No. Swimming is prohibited at Hawk Falls due to safety concerns. For swimming, head to Sand Spring Lake, which has a designated beach and seasonal lifeguards.
Is there an entrance fee?
No! Hickory Run State Park has no entrance fee. All hiking trails, Boulder Field access, and day-use areas are free. You only pay if you camp or stay in a cabin.
What’s the “Shades of Death” trail?
Don’t worry—the ominous name likely comes from the dense, shadowy hemlock forest the trail passes through. It’s a rugged, scenic 1-mile trail along Sand Spring Run featuring several waterfalls. Rated “most difficult” due to rocky terrain.
How far is it from Philadelphia?
Hickory Run is about 95 miles from Philadelphia (roughly 1.5-2 hours via I-476). It’s one of the most accessible Pocono Mountain parks from the Philadelphia metro area.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Lehigh Gorge State Park (a short drive away) or Beltzville State Park (a short drive away).
Plan Your Visit to Hickory Run State Park
Explore a prehistoric boulder field, chase waterfalls, and camp in the Pocono wilderness—all at Pennsylvania’s #4 ranked state park.
📍 Address: RR 1, Box 81, White Haven, PA 18661
🌐 Official Website: PA DCNR – Hickory Run State Park
📞 Park Office: (570) 443-0400
🏕️ Reservations: ReserveAmerica.com
Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks
Hickory Run State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Pennsylvania. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Pennsylvania guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
⛺ Camping at Hickory Run State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Cabins & Lodging | 3 standard camping cottages sleep 5 (no running water/restroom in unit; potable water & non-flush toilet nearby); 2 deluxe camping cottages, open 2nd Friday of April through mid-December (end of deer season) |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets only in designated areas; overnight guests with pets must reserve a designated facility |
| Reservations | ReserveAmerica; 888-727-2757; cottages/group sites need 3-day advance booking |
| Special sites | 13 Rustic Organized Group Tenting sites; Boulder Field National Natural Landmark; no backcountry/backpacking sites |
| Season notes | Open year-round |
Camping & lodging by type
| Site type | Category | Sites | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Non-Electric | Campsite | 141 | — |
| Modern Electric | Campsite | 111 | electric |
| Modern-Rustic Non-Electric | Campsite | 71 | — |
| Modern Tent Only | Campsite | 24 | — |
| Full-Hookup | Campsite | 15 | electric, water, sewer |
| Rustic Organized Group Tenting Site | Campsite | 13 | — |
| Modern-Rustic Electric | Campsite | 4 | electric |
| Camping Cottages | Cabin / lodging | 3 | — |
| Deluxe Cottages | Cabin / lodging | 2 | — |
| Pavilions | Day use | 1 | — |
Blank cells mean the park does not publish that detail.
Camping questions about Hickory Run State Park
Can you camp at Hickory Run State Park?
Yes. Hickory Run State Park has 379 campsites. 111 modern electric, 141 modern non-electric, 24 modern tent-only, 71 modern-rustic non-electric, 4 modern-rustic electric, 15 full-hookup.
How do you reserve a campsite at Hickory Run State Park?
ReserveAmerica; 888-727-2757; cottages/group sites need 3-day advance booking.
Are there cabins at Hickory Run State Park?
3 standard camping cottages sleep 5 (no running water/restroom in unit; potable water & non-flush toilet nearby); 2 deluxe camping cottages, open 2nd Friday of April through mid-December (end of deer season).
Are pets allowed at the Hickory Run State Park campground?
Pets only in designated areas; overnight guests with pets must reserve a designated facility.
Source: pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Hickory Run State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required at all times; no universal maximum length — inquire at the park office (electronic fences/shock collars not accepted as control)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in swimming areas and designated beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Dogs allowed in a limited number of designated cabins, cottages and yurts (pilot program); maximum two dogs per unit; dogs must be house-trained and current on rabies vaccination
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No standard statewide pet fee; fees may be assessed for damage in dog-friendly lodging
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Maximum two non-caged pets per campsite; pets prohibited in buildings; pet food may not be left outside camping units
Are dogs allowed at Hickory Run State Park?
Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via pa.gov. More: Pennsylvania state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Hickory Run State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
