The One Place In Pennsylvania That Must Be Seen To Be Believed
By Beth Price-Williams|Published February 07, 2017
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Scattered throughout Pennsylvania are some of the state’s most stunning natural wonders. Two of the most well-known natural wonders, both breathtaking rock formations, are Bilger’s Rocks and The Boxcar Rocks. Then there’s a stunning natural boulder field in Pennsylvania, one place you really have to see to believe.
Nestled within Hickory Run State Park lies a spectacular natural wonder - Boulder Field - that is 1,800 feet long, 400 feet wide, and 10 feet deep.
The field, comprised of red sandstone with some quartz conglomerate mixed in, began forming 15,000 years ago when the earth began warming after the last ice age. Boulder Field ceased to form further when the temperature averaged above freezing.
Unlike most boulder fields that were destroyed through time, the expansive boulder field in Hickory Run State Park survived. Countless visitors trek to Boulder Field to experience the natural wonder, which earned National Natural Landmark status in 1967.
Vandals, who paint and move the rocks, add to its destruction. Visitors are welcome to explore the rocks but are cautioned not to move them or to vandalize them in any way so Boulder Field may be preserved.
You can reach Boulder Field in one of two ways. Use Boulder Field Road, a dirt road, that will take you directly to the field. Unfortunately, the road is closed during the winter. Or, you can...
Lace up your hiking boots for a pretty hefty hike along Boulder Field Trail. The six mile roundtrip trail, which is open all year around, will lead you directly to the natural wonder.
