Hickory Run State Park: A Family Day Trip in the Pocono Mountains

Recently we took a refreshing day trip to Hickory Run State Park in the Pocono Mountains, which was a perfect blend of hiking, waterfalls, and outdoor fun for the whole family. With over 15,000 acres of forest, streams, and rocky landscapes, Hickory Run has something for everyone. We explored two of its most scenic trails, had a lakeside picnic, and let the kids roam free in nature. It was a peaceful yet adventurous escape from daily routines.

Keep reading below about the 2 trails we hiked with our 10, 8 and 3 year old and everything we did in our day trip to Hickory Run State Park with kids.

Planning Your Visit

Coming from Bucks County, PA, the drive to Hickory Run State Park in White Have, PA is about an hour and half, very doable for a day trip. It’s a straight ride up 476, or if you are ok adding an extra 20 minutes to your trip, you can take the back roads up for a very scenic view.

Entrance to the park is free, but you will need reservations if you plan to camp there. Cell service can be spotty at times, so download a trail map to your phone before you arrive, or stop at the visitors center first to grab a paper map. This is also a great to place to use the restroom, but most trail heads have porta potties and the picnic areas have restrooms as well.

While there is no place to purchase food, Hickory Run State Park has lots of picnic areas. So break out your cooler, picnic blanket or table cloth, and bring lots of goodies for a picnic lunch. Remember to bring hand wipes, some paper towels and a small trash bag so that you don’t leave anything behind and keep our parks clean!

The popular trails at the park do get busy, so plan to arrive early if you want to get parking at the trail head, or patiently wait for someone to leave.

Shades of Death Trail

• Distance: 2.2 miles out and back

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

• Parking: Trail head parking at start of trail

• Highlights: Waterfall and creek

We started our hike on the Shades of Death Trail and I’ll admit, the name made me a little hesitant at first! But it turned out to be a beautiful and family-friendly trail. The narrow path winds through the woods along Sand Spring Run, passing mossy rocks, little wooden bridges, and a waterfall that was perfect for quick photo stops. The gentle sound of the water made it such a peaceful hike, and the kids had the best time splashing in the shallow spots and skipping rocks while we took in the views. Generally this trail is flat compared to others, but still had plenty of rocks and obstacles for it be a moderate hike.

The waterfall is about a third to a half of the way on the trail, so you can keep going if you’d like, but we stopped here. There is an overlook on top of the waterfall that you can walk out to and look down, just make sure to hold on to the kid’s hands! At our pace, and with stops to enjoy the scenery, we spent about an hour and a half on this trail

Hawk Falls via the Orchard Trail Loop

Next, we headed over to the Orchard Trail Loop, which connects to the Hawk Falls Trail. It offers a mix of woodland scenery and rocky sections that keep things interesting, and clear trail markers so you know when to split off to see the falls. This trail is more on the moderate side in terms of elevation, as there is a steeper descent down to the falls. But the view from the bottom of the falls, looking up was worth it! If you are looking for an easier path to the falls, you’ll need to park at the trailhead where Hawk Falls Trail starts, which was very busy and even had park rangers directing traffic. So plan to go early!

Once on the Hawk Falls Trails, you’ll find your way to waterfalls. Tucked into a wooded gorge, Hawk Falls is about 25 feet high and surrounded by smooth rocks and rushing water. We spent some time relaxing here, watching the falls and enjoying the cool mist. It’s a great payoff for a moderate hike, and it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the park’s most popular spots.

As for the hike back up the trail, that tired the kids out! We tried to remember different landmarks from our walk down to point out how close we were getting, but we did have to finally stop so they could sit on a large boulder and rest their legs. We end up carrying our little one most of the way back, but the older two did made it, and felt accomplished at the end. All in all this trail took us about an hour and a half to two hours.

If you’re looking for a challenging trail, that will take you through the greenery, and a view of the falls, start at the Orchard Trail Loop. If you want a short, easy walk to the falls, try to get parking at the Hawk Falls Trail parking lot.

Picnic at the Sand Spring Day Use Area

After our hikes, we made our way to the Sand Spring Day Use Area, where we had packed a picnic lunch. The tables were conveniently located near the lake, offering a peaceful view as we ate. The kids wasted no time heading to the sandy beach area, where they played for nearly an hour, digging, building, and climbing on the nearby rocks. The sand was a bit rough, but typical for a lake beach, and we didn’t have any sand toys with us. However that didn’t stop them from using sticks to play with and just using their hands to build up piles of sand. It was still too cold to go swimming, but in the warmer months, it would be a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. With the calm water and warm sun, the whole setting feels like a hidden retreat.

Tips for Visiting with Kids

A few things to remember before you go:

• Pack bug spray and sunscreen. The wooded trails offer shade, but the day use area is more open.

• Bring more snacks than you think you need. Hiking with kids requires a snack every 15 minutes, apparently.

• Download a trail map before you go. Cell service in the park is spotty at best, so don’t count on Google Maps once you’re in the park.

• Go early on weekends. The Hawk Falls trailhead parking fills up fast on summer mornings.

• Change of socks and shoes. Depending on the weather, and previous days weather, the trails can be muddy. Plus, for those ambitious kids, they might want to take a step in the stream or dip their toes in the lake.

Is It Worth the Trip?

If you’re looking for a day of hiking, waterfalls, and family fun in the great outdoors, Hickory Run State Park is well worth the trip. With its mix of trails and relaxing picnic areas, it’s the kind of place that leaves you refreshed and ready to plan your next visit. Plus, it’s free!

Next time we head back, we plan to tackle Boulder Field and the Sandy Spring Trail, plus spend some more down time at the picnic area.

Quick Facts

• Location: Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA 18661

• Entrance Fee: Free (Pennsylvania State Park)

• Trails covered: Shades of Death Trail, Orchard Trail Loop + Hawk Falls Trail

• Restrooms: Available at the Sand Spring Day Use Area, Visitors Center and porta-potties at the start of some trailheads.

• Picnic area: Sand Spring Day Use Area (tables near the lake)