Hickory Run State Park Boulder Field, Hawk Falls & Shades of Death — From 20 Minutes Away
Hickory Run State Park is a 20-minute drive from our chalet, and it packs three of the Poconos' best short adventures into one trip: a 16-acre field of Ice Age boulders, a 25-foot waterfall framed by rhododendron, and a moody streamside trail with 1800s ruins. We send guests here year-round — it's the easiest "wow" day trip on our list.
Below is exactly how we'd plan it: which trails to pick, where to park, when the Boulder Field road closes, and what to toss in the car before you leave our place in Lake Harmony Estates.
Why Hickory Run is worth the 20-minute drive
Hickory Run State Park covers 15,990 acres with more than 40 miles of hiking trails, trout streams, and picnic areas — and like all Pennsylvania state parks, there's no entrance fee. From the chalet, you'll be at the park office off PA Route 534 in about 20 minutes.
Our advice: do it as a half day. Drive or hike to Boulder Field in the morning, picnic near the park office, then finish with the short Hawk Falls hike on your way back toward Lake Harmony. You'll be home in time for the hot tub and sauna before dinner. The official park page is worth a skim for current advisories before you go.
Boulder Field: a National Natural Landmark
| Boulder Field at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Size | About 16.5 acres — roughly 400 feet wide by 1,800 feet long |
| Depth | Boulders stacked about 12 feet deep, with open gaps between them |
| Boulder size | From under 3 feet to more than 30 feet long |
| Age | Formed about 20,000 years ago at the edge of the last ice sheet, and essentially unchanged since |
| Status | National Natural Landmark since 1967 |
| Park | Hickory Run State Park, 15,990 acres, 40+ miles of trails, no entrance fee |
| From the chalet | 20 minutes to the park office, then a slow 20–25 minutes on Boulder Field Road |
Figures per the DCNR Hickory Run State Park page and Wikipedia's Hickory Run State Park entry.
Boulder Field is the park's headliner — a bare expanse of loosely packed boulders roughly 400 feet by 1,800 feet and about 12 feet deep, essentially unchanged for over 20,000 years. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1967, and standing in the middle of it feels genuinely otherworldly: no trees, no soil, just rock to the horizon.
You have two ways in:
- Drive: A slow, roughly 5-mile dirt road (Boulder Field Road) leads from PA 534 to a parking area right at the field's edge. Budget 20–25 minutes each way on the dirt road and take it easy — it's rough and narrow in spots.
- Hike: The Boulder Field Trail runs 3.5 miles one way through quiet forest to the field. It's mostly flat but rocky; figure 3–4 hours round trip.
The boulders range from under 3 feet to more than 30 feet long. Wear grippy shoes if you plan to walk out onto the rocks — ankle-rollers everywhere.
Hawk Falls Trail: the short hike everyone should do
The Hawk Falls Trail is 0.6 mile each way — about 1.2 miles round trip — and ends at a natural 25-foot waterfall on Hawk Run. The park rates it "more difficult," mostly for the roots, rocks, and the optional scramble down to the base of the falls, but families with school-age kids do it all the time. The tunnel of rhododendron along the way blooms spectacularly in early-to-mid July.
Park in the dedicated lot along PA Route 534 near the Northeast Extension overpass — and go early. This lot fills fast on summer and fall weekends, often before mid-morning. If you're staying with us in summer, this pairs perfectly with a lazy afternoon at the Lake Harmony Estates beach, a short walk from the chalet.
Shades of Death Trail: history with a spooky name
Don't let the name scare you off — the 1-mile Shades of Death Trail is one of the park's most scenic walks, following Sand Spring Run past small dams and the stone remains of logging mills dating to the early 1800s. The park rates it "most difficult" for its rocky, uneven footing, but the distance is short and the payoff (mossy hemlock ravine, cascades, ruins) is big for the effort.
The name reportedly comes from early settlers' struggles crossing this dense swampy terrain. Pick it up near the park office off PA 534; it works well as a 45–60 minute add-on to a Boulder Field morning.
| Trail | Distance | Park difficulty rating | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawk Falls Trail | 0.6 mi one way | More difficult | 25-foot waterfall, rhododendron tunnel |
| Shades of Death Trail | 1.0 mi | Most difficult | Sand Spring Run, 1800s mill ruins |
| Boulder Field Trail | 3.5 mi one way | Moderate, rocky | Hike-in route to Boulder Field |
Seasonal access: when the Boulder Field road closes
Boulder Field Road is a dirt road that is not maintained in winter — it typically closes once snow and ice make it impassable and often stays gated until spring. If you're visiting between November and March, call the park office before driving out; when the road is closed, the field is still reachable on foot via the Boulder Field Trail.
Quick seasonal cheat sheet:
- Winter: Road usually closed; snowshoe or hike in. Hawk Falls is beautiful iced over but the scramble gets slick. Pair it with a ski day — Big Boulder is 3 minutes from our door, Jack Frost 5.
- Spring: Road reopens as conditions allow; streams run high and the falls are at full throttle.
- Summer: Everything open; rhododendron peaks in July; arrive early for parking.
- Fall: Peak foliage, typically mid-October — the busiest weekends of the year.
Parking, dogs, and what to bring
Parking is free but spreads across several small lots: the Hawk Falls lot on PA 534, the park office area (for Shades of Death), and the lot at the end of Boulder Field Road. On busy weekends, the Hawk Falls lot is the first to fill.
Dogs are welcome at Hickory Run on a leash. Pets must be leashed and attended at all times, you must clean up after them, and they're not allowed in swimming areas or buildings. All three trails above are leash-friendly — our guests' dogs love this trip, and since the chalet is pet-friendly with a fully fenced quarter-acre backyard, tired trail dogs settle in nicely afterward.
What we'd bring: sturdy closed-toe shoes (non-negotiable for Boulder Field), water, bug spray in summer, a paper or downloaded map (cell service is spotty), snacks, and a headlamp if you're starting late in the day.
One official warning worth heeding: DCNR notes that the park sees high visitation from spring through fall, and that trailhead parking areas may reach capacity early in the day, even midweek — its advice is to arrive early and have a back-up plan if the lots are full. Starting from 20 minutes away is the whole advantage here; a 9 AM departure from the chalet usually beats the queue. The park itself is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, with day-use areas closing at dusk, and the park office can be reached on 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757) from 7 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Saturday.
Directions, hours and parking guidance per the DCNR Hickory Run State Park page, checked 21 September 2026.
Add a ride: the Lehigh Gorge rail-trail next door
If you want to turn hiking into a two-day outdoor weekend, the Lehigh Gorge section of the D&L rail-trail runs 26 miles from White Haven to Jim Thorpe along the Lehigh River, at a gentle 1–2% grade that's nearly all downhill heading south. The White Haven trailhead is about 15 minutes from the chalet; Jim Thorpe is 20 minutes.
Most riders rent bikes in Jim Thorpe and shuttle to White Haven or the midway Rockport access for an easy 10-, 15-, or 25-mile cruise back — check current schedules with the outfitters in town. It stacks neatly with our Jim Thorpe day-trip guide, and there's plenty more in our full things-to-do list.
When you're ready to make a weekend of it, our 5-bedroom chalet sleeps 14 with a 6-person hot tub waiting after the trail — check dates and book direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive to the Boulder Field at Hickory Run?
Yes. A roughly 5-mile dirt road off PA Route 534 leads to a parking area at the edge of Boulder Field. The road is not maintained in winter and typically closes from late fall until spring, so call the park office before visiting between November and March — when it's closed, you can still hike in 3.5 miles on the Boulder Field Trail.
How do I get to the Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park?
Two legs. First get to the park: from I-80, take Exit 274, the Hickory Run State Park exit, and drive east on PA 534 for about 6 miles. From the Northeast Extension of the turnpike, take Exit 95, drive west on PA 940 for 2.5 miles, then turn east on PA 534 for roughly 7 miles; from Exit 87, which is E-ZPass only, drive north on PA 903 to PA 534 West. Then, from PA 534 inside the park, follow Boulder Field Road about 5 miles to the parking area at the edge of the field. Coming from Lake Harmony the whole trip is about 20 minutes to the park office plus a slow 20 to 25 minutes on Boulder Field Road, which is dirt and closed in winter.
How hard is the Hawk Falls hike?
It's 0.6 mile each way (about 1.2 miles round trip) to a 25-foot waterfall. The park rates it "more difficult" because of rocky, rooty footing and an optional scramble at the falls, but families with kids in sturdy shoes manage it comfortably in under an hour.
Are dogs allowed at Hickory Run State Park?
Yes — dogs are allowed on a leash throughout the trails, including Hawk Falls, Shades of Death, and Boulder Field. They must be attended at all times and aren't permitted in swimming areas or buildings. Our chalet is pet-friendly with a fully fenced backyard, so it's an easy trip to do with your dog.
How far is Hickory Run State Park from Lake Harmony?
About 20 minutes by car from our chalet in Lake Harmony Estates. The Hawk Falls parking area on PA Route 534 is the closest trailhead, and Boulder Field Road adds a slow 20-25 minute dirt-road drive inside the park.
How big is the Boulder Field at Hickory Run?
About 16.5 acres — roughly 400 feet wide by 1,800 feet long — with boulders stacked about 12 feet deep. The rocks range from under 3 feet to more than 30 feet long. It has looked essentially the same for roughly 20,000 years and has been a National Natural Landmark since 1967.
Why are there no trees in the Boulder Field?
The field formed at the edge of the last ice sheet about 20,000 years ago, when repeated freezing and thawing shattered the bedrock and slowly moved the fragments downslope. The boulders are loosely stacked with open gaps between them, so water drains straight through and soil has never been able to build up — and without soil, nothing can take root.
Can you walk out onto the Boulder Field?
Yes — walking on the rocks is the whole experience, and there are no fences or boardwalks. The boulders shift underfoot and the gaps are ankle-deep or worse, so wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip, keep dogs on a short leash, and give small children a hand. Skip it in ice or heavy rain.
Is there a fee to visit Hickory Run State Park or the Boulder Field?
No. Like every Pennsylvania state park, Hickory Run has no entrance fee and parking is free, including the lot at the end of Boulder Field Road. The only cost is your time on the slow dirt road in.