Visitors flock to the Pocono Mountains to get a taste of what nature so beautifully offers up. With mountains, rivers, waterfalls and hiking trails at your fingertips, the Poconos has a way of captivating the imagination by flooding the senses with wonder. When you’re in the area, be sure to make your way towards Hickory Run Pocono State Park. Within the park lies a true phenomenon of nature that will give visitors a glimpse into a very rocky and somewhat mysterious past.
Easily accessible off route 534, Hickory Run Pocono State Park is home to a natural icon that continues to intrigue locals and visitors alike. While it may not seem like rocks are often impressive, Boulder Field takes the volume of stone to a new level. It is, just as it is appropriately named, a vast field of boulders that seemingly pops out of nowhere within the state park. At the end of green, luscious hiking trails, visitors often stumble upon this mysterious geographical formation and are stunned. Spread out in all direction, this mass of smooth boulders and rocks forms an impressive feat of nature. Visitors are invited to simply enjoy the view or carefully maneuver the stones from above for some up close and personal exploration.
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While science has discovered the answer to many of the world’s great questions, the origins of Boulder Field remain somewhat of a mystery. It is believed that it’s formation dates back to North America’s last glacial era placed somewhere around 20,000 years ago. As the glacier moved down with gravity, bedrock was exposed and cracked into what would eventually become the boulders visible today. Over time, the constant movement of rock, sand and ice left the field of boulder debris smoothed to a shine through the ages. While it’s impossible to know if this is exactly how it happened, those studying the region are confident this is a solid cause for what so distinctly remains today.
Nature is an intricate tapestry of life and Boulder Field is no exception to the rule. While it looks like a solid structure from a distance, beneath the many smooth stones and boulders runs fresh water. Snakes, spiders and other wildlife thrive within this unexpected ecosystem and make for exciting encounters if visitors decide to explore the field on foot in the summer. While the road leading to Boulder Field is often closed in the winter due to snow and ice, hiking enthusiasts will find the three-mile trail leading to this land formation open all season long.
Boulder Field, while fascinating and historic, isn’t really a great example of how beautiful the small town of White Haven can be; it’s a field of big rocks, how attractive can that be? But before you view the field on its historic merits and then mosey off down the road for bigger and more striking vistas, take some time to get an authentic depiction of small-town America. For example, the best of any town generally reveals itself in its food, especially when you visit its diners. The White Haven Family Diner, located at 302 Main Street, is a perfect example, serving the comfort food that makes your stomach happy! Open every day of the week for breakfast and lunch, starting at 6 AM, this is where you go to find pancakes and hamburgers that are as big as the plate they are served on. The menu is a simple one, filled with egg dishes and home-made biscuits for breakfast and burgers and hot dogs for lunch, but every bite of every meal explodes with flavor. The service is quick and efficient, and yet the wait staff still manages to stop and chat with every diner. Smiles and genuine care are served with every meal, and guests always leave feeling as if they have become a part of a new family, and when you exit the White Haven Family Diner with a full belly, you’ll be ready to explore what the town has to offer!
Perhaps a bike ride along the Lehigh Gorge Trail will be your first adventure as you stop by Pocono Bike Rentals (322 Main Street) and choose your favorite. The trail runs through Lehigh Gorge State Park stretching out for 26 miles and leading you to Jim Thorpe, another stunning small town found in the heart of the Poconos. Heading along the path of the Delaware River and leading riders (and hikers) past waterfalls and across bridges, next to beaver dams and railroad trestles, this path offers a prime example of what you can expect from most of the small towns that dot the Pennsylvania landscape!
It’s not necessary to sweat your way across 26 miles of Pennsylvania landscape to have a good time in White Haven. Some of life’s simpler pleasures can be enjoyed without much effort at all! Ice cream on a hot summer’s day is an American tradition, and you can choose your flavors with a visit to Wood’s Ice Cream at 501 Main Street. Browsing the aisles of Otter’s Odd’s & Ends will bring you hours of fun and perhaps some new trinkets to enjoy upon your return home. When you find yourself growing thirsty, a stop in Capone’s Bar & Grill reveals a casual spot filled with friendly people, bar games, and frosted beer mugs. What more could you ask for?
Boulder Field is a truly inspiring stop when traveling through Hickory Run State Park. With dramatic contours and wildlife thriving between the stones, it’s the ideal place for a view, a hike or even a picnic. Contact us today to makes sure a stop at Boulder Field is a part of your stay in the Poconos!