With the Labor Day long weekend giving me an extra day to get out and explore, I wanted to make the most of it with a short road trip somewhere in Pennsylvania. I had been wanting to visit Hickory Run State Park, and this long weekend felt like the perfect opportunity to finally check it off my list. To be honest, I didn’t have a full-day plan or a packed itinerary. I just wanted to spend a few hours outdoors, hike to a waterfall, explore a couple of trails, and enjoy some time by the water.
I left around 12:30 PM and reached the visitor center at about 2:45 PM. Since I was arriving later in the day, I knew I would not be able to see everything the park had to offer. Instead, I decided to focus on a few of the highlights. I picked up a park map at the visitor center, headed to Hawk Falls, explored the Shades of Death Trail, and finished my afternoon at the Sand Spring Lake beach.
It turned out to be a great way to experience Hickory Run State Park without trying to squeeze too much into one visit.
Getting to Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run is located in the Pocono Mountains in Carbon County and is a fairly easy destination for a day trip from several parts of Pennsylvania. The official park information says the park is roughly one hour from Allentown, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre and around two to three hours from Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and New York City.
Because I arrived in the afternoon, I decided to keep my visit focused rather than trying to cover the entire park. And honestly, that worked out well.
First Stop: Hickory Run State Park Visitor Center
My first stop was the visitor center. This is what I usually do whenever I visit any State Park.
I picked up a map, looked over the different trails, and planned out the rest of my afternoon. Hickory Run State Park is much bigger than it may seem when you first arrive, so having a map was helpful.
The park has 44 miles of hiking trails, ranging from short, easy walks to longer, more challenging hikes. Since I started late, I decided to go straight to Hawk Falls.
Hawk Falls – The First Highlight of My Visit
After getting my map, I drove toward the Hawk Falls Trail trailhead.
The parking area was almost full when I arrived, so I was a little worried that I might have to find another spot. Luckily, I managed to get a parking space. That was a good reminder that arriving early can make a big difference here. The park itself warns visitors that parking areas at popular trailheads can reach capacity, particularly during the busier spring-to-fall season.
I started the hike and followed the trail through the wooded area toward the waterfall.
The Hawk Falls Trail is about 0.6 miles and is rated as more difficult, but it is short enough to fit comfortably into a day-trip itinerary. The trail leads through rhododendrons before reaching the 25-foot Hawk Falls.
When I finally reached the waterfall, it was one of those spots where I naturally slowed down for a while. The sound of the water, the rocks around the falls, and the forest made it feel much more peaceful than I expected. After spending some time there and taking in the scenery, I headed back toward the parking area.
Exploring the Shades of Death Trail
After returning to my car, I drove back toward the visitor center. My next stop was the Shades of Death Trail. The name definitely gets your attention. But the trail itself is actually one of the more scenic parts of Hickory Run State Park.
The official park information lists the trail as a 1-mile out-and-back hike, rated most difficult. It follows Sand Spring Run and includes small cascades, waterfalls, historic remains, and sections of rocky terrain.
There are also remnants of old logging mills and dams in this area, which give the trail a little more historical character. If you enjoy trails where the scenery changes as you walk, I would definitely add Shades of Death to your Hickory Run itinerary.
Ending the Afternoon at the Sand Spring Lake Beach
After finishing the trail, I headed toward the Sand Spring Lake area. This was a nice change of pace after hiking.
The park has a designated swimming area with a sand beach, which is open seasonally. The official swimming season generally runs from late May through mid-September, from 8:00 AM until sunset.
I spent some time around the artificial beach area before eventually heading back toward the visitor center.
It was a simple ending to the trip, but I actually liked having the beach as the final stop. After hiking through the woods and around the waterfall, sitting near the lake gave me a chance to relax and eat some food.
The Sand Spring Lake area also has picnic tables, grills, restrooms, playground equipment, drinking water, and a seasonal food concession stand.
What Else Can You Do at Hickory Run State Park?
I only covered a small part of the park during this visit. If you have a full day, there is plenty more to explore.
1. Boulder Field
This is probably one of the most unique attractions in Hickory Run State Park. Boulder Field is a National Natural Landmark and covers a huge area of exposed rocks. Some of the boulders are surprisingly large, with some reaching up to 26 feet in length.
2. Camping
If one day isn’t enough, Hickory Run also has campsites, cottages, and other overnight options. The park’s campground includes sites with electric hookups, some full-hookup sites, showers, restrooms, and a camp store. There are also camping cottages and deluxe cottages.
Interestingly, glamping is also available at Hickory Run in 2026, with eight sites offering furnished accommodations, air conditioning/heating, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and electrical outlets. That could be a fun option if you want the camping experience without bringing all the equipment.
My Labor Day weekend visit to Hickory Run State Park turned out to be a great way to spend an afternoon. Even though I arrived later in the day, I was still able to visit Hawk Falls, explore the Shades of Death Trail, and spend some time around Sand Spring Lake.
I still have more of Hickory Run State Park to explore, especially Boulder Field, so I’m sure I’ll be back again.
But if you have more time, I wouldn’t stop your trip at the park. Jim Thorpe is another great place to add to your itinerary. The charming town is only about 20 miles from Hickory Run State Park, making it an easy addition to a day or weekend trip. You can walk around the historic downtown, check out the local shops and restaurants, or simply enjoy the mountain views around town.
