Challenging terrain and picturesque views make up the 2.4-mile trail.

Welcome to Hickory Run State Park. If you haven’t visited, you’ve likely heard about the well-known Park, famous for its’ National Natural Landmark “Boulder Field”. Visitors from all over the Northeast travel to Hickory Run to see the landmark and hike on the many other trails within the park to experience beautiful views, historic remains, waterfalls, and more. One of the best features of the park is its’ proximity to the Lehigh River, a beautiful view of which can be found along our trail of the month – the Fireline Trail.

A prepared hiker is a safe hiker.

The best way to experience this hike is to stop at the Visitors Center first. There, you can pick up a printed copy of the State Park map and interact with park staff to learn more about the park or educational programs that might be happening that day. The Center also has an impressive self-guided exhibit space where visitors can learn more about the park’s natural and historical features!

So much to see.

Originally an access road for firefighting equipment, the Fireline Trail is easily accessible off PA 534, but you should arrive early to secure a parking spot! The 2.4 mile out-and-back trail can be hiked in full, combined with the 2.1-mile Skyline trail for loop, or visitors can choose to only hike .5 mile to the overlook of the Lehigh River and Lehigh Gorge State Park. Make sure to take a break at the overlook and enjoy the view, especially if you want to see one of the most beautiful sunsets in the park! You may also enjoy some wonderful birding here, especially hawks and eagles along the river.

Bring a friend!

The trail is ideal for hikers in the warmer seasons or cross-country skiers in the winter, and leashed dogs are welcome to join you on your trip! The first half mile of the hike is relatively flat and easy, since it previously served as a road. After the overlook, the trail becomes rockier and steeper in sections as it meanders through dense forest. Here, the remoteness of the trail increases your chances of spotting wildlife. Prairie warblers, eastern blue birds, and other songbirds make this section of trail lively with chirps and hums, while fluttering butterflies and moths make for a colorful sight! The trail also merges with the Skyline Trail to follow a ridge along the side of the mountain. Here you’ll again be overlooking the Lehigh River, so keep your eyes peeled for activity above the water.

Endless activities await.

When you return from your hike, you can keep the adventure going by exploring one or more of the other trails in the park. There are endless opportunities to see waterfalls, rhododendron exploding with color in late Spring, and to watch for the abundance of wildlife within the park. There’s also diverse recreational opportunities including camping, picnicking, and disc golfing. Read more about these activities on the Hickory Run State Park website!

Close to everything.

There’s so much to do within a 15-minute drive of the state park, we couldn’t even begin to list every opportunity! Just 7 minutes from the trailhead for the Fireline Trail is the cute town of White Haven, which has some great spots to stop if you don’t have time to explore all of the Pocono Mountains. If you start in White Haven before your hike, the White Haven Family Diner is a long-time local staple for breakfast and lunch. For a quick frozen treat on a hot summer day, Woods Ice Cream serves up delicious sundaes for the whole family, even the dog! If you’re an adventurer through and through, you can keep your exercise going by visiting the D&L Trail or planning a trip with Pocono Biking. There’s so much to see and do, we recommend doing some research to find the best activity to suit your interests!

DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks manages 124 state parks with more than 300,000 acres for these popular outdoor recreation activities.

To learn more about State Parks and how you can get involved, visit the DCNR website! Students are also encouraged to join Hickory Run State Park staff for their free ECO (Exploring Careers Outdoors) Days on July 25, August 1, and August 8^th.

Thank you to Diane Madl, Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor at Hickory Run State Park Complex, for providing the information for this blog.