Hickory Run State Park from Lake Harmony: Boulder Field, Hawk Falls & Shades of Death
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 at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/hickory-run-state-park is worth a skim for current advisories before you go.
Boulder Field: a National Natural Landmark
Boulder Field is the park's headliner — a bare expanse of loosely packed boulders roughly 400 feet by 1,800 feet and at least 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.
Most boulders are under 4 feet across, but some stretch 25 feet. 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.
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 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.