Lightbox Image
Spread NEPA pride and make a difference, one tee at a time! 100% of profits donated to charity.
NEPA Store is open
Spread NEPA pride and make a difference, one tee at a time! 100% of profits donated to charity.
Visit the Store

Hickory Run State Park: A Four-Season Outdoor Playground in the Poconos

Spanning nearly 16,000 acres in Luzerne and Carbon County, Hickory Run State Park is one of 18 beautiful NEPA state parks and one of Luzerne County’s top outdoor destinations. As a scenic Pocono Mountain state park, it offers endless opportunities for recreation year-round—from hiking and swimming to fishing and winter fun.

Boulder Field: A National Natural Landmark

One of the park’s most iconic features is Boulder Field, a massive ice age relic covering more than 720,000 square feet. This sea of ancient red rocks, designated as a National Natural Landmark, is a must-see and a popular photo and climbing spot for visitors of all ages.

Hiking Trails with Scenic Views and History

With 44 miles of trails, Hickory Run State Park is a top hiking destination in the NEPA. Popular hikes include the serene Hawk Falls Trail, a short hike to a scenic waterfall, the Fireline Trail with wide-open views, and the forested Hickory Run Trail. For more rugged terrain, explore Shades of Death Trail, named for its thick woods and challenging path. Along the way, hikers may spot remnants of old logging dams and mills and enjoy prime fall foliage and birdwatching.

Hickory Run offers year-round adventure with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and peaceful winter hikes. Many of the park’s trails are dog-friendly, so your pup can enjoy the fresh air too.

Warm Weather Adventures

On hot summer days, Sand Spring Lake is the place to be for swimming and sunning. The park also features a 19-hole disc golf course, a permanent orienteering course, and plenty of space for geocaching. Anglers flock to this popular fishing spot, with streams like Hickory Run and Mud Run regularly stocked with trout. Kayakers can enjoy serene paddling on Hickory Run Lake, surrounded by the natural beauty of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

Open year-round, Hickory Run State Park is the perfect mix of adventure, beauty, and relaxation—making it a favorite for NEPA families, hikers, and outdoor lovers alike.

Explore Things to See & Do at Hickory Run State Park
Spotlight On

Hickory Run State Park

Hickory Run State Park Image
Brian Johnson
Videographer
Details
Categories
Camping / Outdoors / Parks & Lakes / Trails
Hours
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The visitor center is open specific hours. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the visitor center for facility seasons and hours.
Report Errors
Read more

Parks & Lakes

Things to See & Do at Hickory Run State Park

A lone, twisted pine tree stands in the middle of the vast Hickory Run Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park in White Haven Pennsylvania, a striking geological formation of large rocks.
Camping

Glamping Comes to NEPA’s State Parks

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined Timberline Glamping Company at French Creek State Park.
Trails

Iconic Views & Scenic Overlooks in NEPA

A visitor looks through a scenic viewer at The Lookout in Scranton, Pennsylvania, taking in panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Parks & Lakes

Experience Fall at NEPA’s State Parks

A fisherman on a boat casts his line into Lackawanna Lake inside Lackawanna State Park in North Abington Twp., PA.
Hunting & Fishing

Top Fishing Spots in Northeastern PA

A fisherman on a boat casts his line into Lackawanna Lake inside Lackawanna State Park in North Abington Twp., PA.
Trails

Short Hikes with Epic Views in NEPA

Two hikers snap photos of the epic view from the South Lookout at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, PA.
Family Fun

Places to Swim in NEPA: Lakes, Beaches, Pools & Splash Pads

A father and son walk with along the edge of the pool with inner tubes at Frances Slocum State Park in Wyoming, PA, a popular place to swim in Northeastern PA.
Parks & Lakes

Visit 8 Stunning State Parks in the Pocono Mountains

A tall waterfall cascades over rocks at Hickory Run State Park in White Haven, PA.
Outdoors

Lehigh River Recreation Guide

A few groups of whitewater rafters paddles their way down the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe, PA.
Trails

Explore Dog-Friendly Hikes & Trails in Northeastern PA

A girl walking her dog on the trail path at the Back Mountain Trail in Dallas, PA.
Parks & Lakes

Go Outside and Play at NEPA’s 18 PA State Parks!

Go Outside and Play at NEPA’s 18 PA State Parks! image
Family Fun

Fun-Filled Summer Activities in NEPA

A photo of Satellite and Impulse at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA.
Camping

Campgrounds in NEPA for Tent, RV & Glamping Getaways

A glamping campground cabin at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, PA
Camping

Camping at Northeastern PA’s State Parks & Forests

A group of kids pulls up to their family's camping site after a bike ride through Hickory Run State Park in White haven, PA.
Outdoors

Paddle On: Kayaking Guide to Northeastern PA’s Waterways

A woman stands near a collection of colorful kayaks on the bank of a river in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Outdoors

10 Outdoor Activities in Luzerne County

An aerial shot of Harveys Lake in a popular destination for outdoor activities in Luzerne County, PA.
Parks & Lakes

Disc Golf Courses Around NEPA

A man in a short sleeve shirt and jeans throwing a frisbee while playing disc golf at Nesbitt Park in Kingston, PA.
Parks & Lakes

Winter Fun at NEPA’s State Parks

Two visitors enjoy a snowy hike on one of the trails at Locust Lake State Park in Barnesville, PA.
Trails

New Year’s Hikes to Ring in 2025

A snow-covered wooden bridge surrounded by a peaceful forest of tall trees within the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area.
Winter Sports

Winter Fun Is On The Way For The 2024/2025 Season

Winter Fun Is On The Way For The 2024/2025 Season image
Trails

Waterfall Hikes in Northeastern PA

A lone woman stands on the rocks framed between two trees and photographs a cascading waterfall along the Shades of Death trail at Hickory Run State Park in White Haven, PA.
Trails

10 Hiking Trails

A young woman stands with her back to the camra, looking at a mossy waterfall in a lush forest at Prompton State Park in Prompton, PA.
Parks & Lakes

Picture This: A Hike Through Hickory Run State Park

A lone woman stands on the rocks framed between two trees and photographs a cascading waterfall along the Shades of Death trail at Hickory Run State Park in White Haven, PA.
Trails

Fireline Trail at Hickory Run State Park – GYTOT Trail of the Month

Fireline Trail at Hickory Run State Park – GYTOT Trail of the Month image
What's Nearby
See All