PRVCA Explore Magazine PRVCA Explore PA 2019 | Page 9

Ohiopyle Falls, Ohiopyle, PA
Stametz Dam,Shades of Death Trail
at Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park
3613 State Route 534
White Haven, PA 18661
[phone]
Located just north of the town of Jim Thorpe
in Carbon County sits the 16,000-acre Hickory
Run State Park, home to a well-known boulder
field, 40 miles of hiking trails and Hawk Falls.
Named after the Hawk family which owned
land adjacent to the park, the 25-foot waterfall
along Hawk Run is in the southeastern corner
of the park. This water feature is accessible
via a half-mile trail which crosses through the
forest and was originally a wagon trail which
connected the town of Mauch Chunk – the
former name of Jim Thorpe – to areas north.
If you’re still in search of waterfalls to inves-
tigate head over to nearby Hickory Run and
check out the Saylorsville Dam, which com-
bines a the free flowing water of a natural
falls with a man-made dam.
Ohiopyle State Park
P.O. Box 105, 12 Main Street
Ohiopyle, PA 15470-0105
[phone]
While the eastern half of Pennsylvania
lays claim to the Commonwealth’s highest
and largest waterfalls, southwestern
Pennsylvania is where some of the most
historical waterfalls are situated.
Although the Ohiopyle Falls at Ohiopyle
State Park only drop approximately
20 feet, it might be not only the most
historically significant waterfall in the
state but also the United States. In
1754, a young British Colonel named
George Washington was leading a
troop of soldiers westward to Pittsburgh
and arrived at Ohiopyle. Washington’s
initial plan was to continue traveling in
boats down the Youghiogheny River but
changed his mind when he saw the
raging rapids and sharp drops of the
water. Washington and his troops in-
stead continued on foot and encountered
French troops and the ensuing attack
by Washington resulted in the French
and Indian war. The taxes passed to pay
for the war created the colonial unrest
which ultimately led to the American
Revolution.
Even though the namesake falls are
the most popular at the park, waterfall
seekers will want to check out Cucumber
Falls as well. This waterfall, one of
roughly six within the park, drops 30
feet and is easily accessible on foot
from a nearby parking area. Visitors
also have the ability to view the waterfall
from multiple angles – including from
directly behind the falling water.
Campers looking to explore Ohiopyle
can stay at the park’s 200-site camp-
grounds, which contains a sanitary
dumping station as well as shower
houses. Open from April through
mid-December, each campsite contains
a picnic table, fire ring and many of the
sites also provide electrical hook-ups.
Campers looking for a place to set up can
stay at the state park’s campground, which
offers flush toilets, warm showers and
electricity at some campsites. A few sites
for larger vehicles offer sewer and water
connections as well as electrical service.
www.prvca.org
EXPLORE Pennsylvania 2019 | 9