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Are you daring enough to hike the Shades of Death Trail? This is just one of the hiking trails available to visitors at Hickory Run State Park. Not to worry though, the trail is not nearly as ominous as its name. Hickory Run was established as a state park in 1945 following a long and storied history of devastation and restoration. The first settlements in the area occurred following the American Revolution, when landowners began building mills on the local creeks. By the mid-1800s, the area was clearcut, then experienced several incidents of fire and flooding. In 1935 the area was purchased by the National Park Service (NPS) for use as a recreation area, and many of the roads, campgrounds and trails were developed. Ten years later, the NPS transferred the land to the state of Pennsylvania for use as a state park.
Just 30 miles south of Scranton, Hickory Run State Park is a 16,000-acre natural area in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains. The area features numerous trout streams, boulder fields, wetlands and restored forests. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, from birds to black bears. The park’s large campground features more than 300 tent, trailer and RV sites, as well as a few walk-in sites and camping cottages. Some campsites are ADA accessible. Park facilities include restrooms with showers, drinking water, two playgrounds, amphitheater, fishing pier, dog-walking area, and a camp store. There’s also recycling and dump stations. The Shades of Death and Beach trails are accessible right from the campground. Campsite rates range from $15–$40/night; cabins and cottages range from $38–$105/night.
There is no shortage of outdoor play to be enjoyed on your visit to Hickory Run. On warm days, cool off with a dip in Sand Spring Lake, or go wading below Hawk Falls; cast a line for brook and brown trout in Hickory Run or Mud Run; or test your precision at the park’s disc golf course. There are also several geocaches hidden in the park if you’re up for a little treasure hunting. If you’re packing hiking boots, you have 44 miles of trails to wander. Choose from short, family-friendly nature and wildlife-watching trails, to the more strenuous Boulder Field Trail, which traverses a 16.5-acre field of sandstone boulders that predate several of North America’s ice ages. In winter, many of the park’s trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
The park is within a two- or three-hour drive from Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and New York City; and one hour from Allentown, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre.
From I-80, take Exit 274 at the Hickory Run State Park Exit, and drive east on PA 534 for approximately 6 miles.
The park may be reached by either Exit 95 or Exit 87 (EZ pass only) on the Northeast Turnpike. From Exit 95, drive west on PA 940 for 2.5 miles, turn east on PA-534 for approximately 7 miles. From Exit 87 (EZ pass only), drive north on PA-903 to PA-534 West. Turn left to follow PA-534 into the park.
Really nice park. Has everything. Camping, hiking, a lake for swimming in the summer, an 18 basket disc golf course, fishing. Plus the Boulder field and some nice surprises on some of the trails.
Located north of Jim Thorpe, PA. No park fee. Head to Visitors Center first. Get a lay of the land and decide how to tackle what you want to do. We decided to do several shorter hikes. First, we drove further on Rt 54 to Skyline trail and found a picturesque view of the Lehigh River Gorge. Next, we backtracked to the turnoff to Boulder Field. We stopped enroute to see Hickory Run Lake. Very lovely setting. Then on to Boulder Field where we learned how an advancing giant glacier during the Ice Age created this amazing field of boulders. After venturing out onto these precarious rocks we headed back to the VC. After a snack we walked a beautiful trail called Shades of Dead, which is to the left of the building. We chose to shorten the hike by turning around at the second pond. Final stop was on our way out of the park at the Hawk Falls. Another great trail with a great destination. The falls and river setting was very nice. Hickory Run SP is a wonderful place to spend a day in the beauty of nature.
We started our walk on the Shades of Death trail to the waterfall. It was gorgeous 😍. Kept going till we got to a stone staircase that went uo to a small Boulder field. Turned around. Maybe 2 hour walk? So pretty. Def go!
