Trifter

Hickory Run State park is located in northeastern Pennsylvania in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Carbon County. The park is almost 16,000 acres (15,990) large, features over 43 miles of trails, offers hunting, fishing, camping, swimming in Sand Spring Lake, a nice waterfall, ice skating, cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter but most people come to Hickory Run State Park to see the incredible Boulder Field.

Image via Wikipedia (Notice the people in background)

Located in the northeast corner of the park is a huge Boulder Field that encompasses almost 17 acres of nothing but boulders. The Boulder Field is over 20,000 years old and has changed very little since then. There’s almost nothing growing in the Boulder Field, very few plants or trees just boulders on top of boulders for over 700,000 square feet (400 feet by 1,800 feet).

Source (Lone pine tree near edge of field)

The boulders consist of red sandstone and conglomerates and the largest boulders in the field are some 26 feet in length. The weight of the boulders has compressed the underlying soil some 12 feet down over time. Water flows under the boulders that becomes a tributary to Hickory Run Creek.

Source (Similar field nearby)

It is believed that the Boulder Field was created some 20,000 years ago when large amounts of water from melting glaciers carried the large boulders down from the mountains and ridges and into the valley where they now reside. The boulders were created when water seeped into fractures of outcroppings in the mountains and ridges and then froze causing the outcroppings to break apart in large blocks. One can imagine the incredible forces of nature that were at work at that time to create the amazing Boulder Field.

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This unique geological landscape was named a National Natural Landmark in 1967.

Also located in the park is a nice waterfall named Hawk Falls,

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some great views of surrounding landscape,

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and the Stony Point Fire Tower.

Image via Wikipedia

Hickory Run State Park is very easy to get to as it is just a few miles off both Interstate 80 and Route 476, which is the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From I-80 take exit 274 which is the Hickory Run State Park Exit and drive east on PA 534 for six miles. From 476 take Exit 95 and drive west on PA 940 for three miles then turn east on PA 534 for six miles. Hickory Run State Park and the amazing Boulder Field is located about 2 hours from both New York City and Philadelphia and is well worth the trip.

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More great Pennsylvania parks include Ricketts Glen State Park with 22 named waterfalls, Ohiopyle State Park where you can ride down the rivers in just a bathing suit and Hyner View State Park where you can see great mountain views and hang gliders and paragliders.