Hickory Run State Park

Hickory Run State Park is a 15,990 acre park that began with the National Park Service as a National Recreation Demonstration Area in 1935.  It was built by the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps before being transferred to the state in 1945.  The area of Hickory Run was formed when a glacier straddled the area creating many features of the park.  Hickory Run State Park has more than 40 miles of hiking trails.  The streams in the park are stocked with brook and brown trout.  One of the most notable features of the park is Boulder Field a nearly 7.5 acre field of giant boulders.  Boulder field is a National Natural Landmark and a State Park Natural Area.  The park also contains several natural and man-made waterfalls.

Feature Summary

• Official website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/hickory-run-state-park.html
• Campsites: 381 sites: full, electric, non-electric. 3 cottages, 2 deluxe cottages, 13 Group sites, 2 group cabin sites
• Firewood availability: at camp store
• Bath Facilities: Modern Bath, Wash sinks available at bath house
• Hiking: 44 Miles
• Other Activities: Swimming at Sand Spring Lake, Disc Golf 
• Cellphone reception: spotty to non-existent
• Dates We Visited: 8/2019, 10/2022

Camping

Camping at Hickory Run State park is open from mid April to mid October.  Rustic camping (without shower houses or the dump station) is available until mid December.  Sites range from moderately wooded to open.  Hickory run contains a mixture of full hookup, electric, and non-electric sites.  A camp store is available and has wood available.

Hiking

Boulder Field:  Boulder Field is a large flat field of giant boulders.  We enjoyed scrambling over the boulders.  Boulder field may be accessed by driving over a 5 mile one way dirt loop

Deer Trail (0.5 mi, Easiest, out and back): Deer Trail is accessed from parking on Sand spring road or from the Sand spring day use area via the nature trail.  We found the parking on Sand spring road to be a bit difficult since it is around a corner.  The trail was easy and a bit boring in the fall due to the dry year when we visited.  Come back in the spring to see frogs in the vernal pools.

Hawk Falls Trail (0.6 mi, More difficult, Loop):  Hawk falls trail may be accessed from the parking lot off of PA 534.  Be ready to hike through a tunnel of rhododendron on your way to the beautiful 25 ft natural waterfall, Hawk Falls.  The area can get crowded and limit views of the falls.

Nature Trail (0.4 mi, Easiest, Loop): The nature trail begins at the pavilion but may be accessed from the Deer trail.  Parts of the nature trail  needed some maintenance when we visited in 2022.

Sand Spring Trail (2.6 mi, More difficult, out and back):   The Sand Spring Trail starts at the campground between sites 13 and 108.  The sand spring trail is a relatively easy trail through the forest.

Shades of Death Trail (1 mi, Most difficult, out and back):  The Shades of Death Trail starts at the Visitor's Center.  It is tricky in places but certainly a fun trail featuring remains of logging mills and dams and several small waterfalls.  You can hike the Sand Spring Trail back to the campground.

Disc Golf

Hickory Run features a 19-hole disc golf course.