Strapped for cash? The answer to vacation woes lies within reach, as the sprawling Hickory Run State Park includes nearly 16,000 acres that are loaded with miles of hiking trails and trout streams.

About 11,000 years ago the Paleoindians arrived in the Poconos, where they found dark forests comprised mainly of spruce and other evergreen trees. As you drive the roads within and nearby Hickory Run State Park, your view from the vehicle windows may seem largely the same.So why is it called Hickory Run if there aren't any hickory trees? Well, that's a much better name than one that was bestowed on the region during the American Revolution. When the British, along with their Indian allies, invaded the Wyoming Valley, American forces were soundly defeated and surrendered at Forty Fort. Some of the American soldiers fled towards the Lehigh Valley, through the area we now call Hickory Run. They referred to it at "Shades of Death" after their trek through the dark forest and bogs.History buffs may know the name Robert Morris, a wealthy man sometimes called "The Financier of the American Revolution. It was his money that paid to transport Washington's army across the Potomac. Morris signed three documents - the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. He was a land speculator and some of the land he purchased is now Hickory Run; Morris made poor investments and reputedly was $3 million in debt when he died.But why the name "Hickory Run"? There are a couple theories. Early inhabitants of a town called Hickory Run said the town got its name because early explorers found a giant hickory tree nearby. The second theory is that there were originally many hickory trees in the area, but they were harvested during the logging era, which was spurred by the development of the Lehigh Canal in 1829 (ran from White Haven to Easton).Trees were harvested for lumber and also for tannin, which was found in the bark of eastern hemlocks and white pines. Hides were shipped into the area. In the 1860s, the tiny town called Lehigh Tannery was the second largest producer of leather goods in the country; in case you've ever wondered how Tannery Road (between the Lehigh Gorge Road and Route 534) got its name.In 1918, Allentown millionaire Harry Trexler began purchasing land. He'd made his millions by launching Lehigh Portland Cement (which became the world's largest cement maker) and also helped unite smaller regional telephone companies into Bell Telephone. Very charitable, he also created the first Boy Scout Camp in Allentown and created the game farm that bears his name.At that time, Hickory Run had been devastated by forest fires. Trexler purchased the land; the state park still has the exact boundaries. He noted one purpose for the purchase, according to the records of the Lehigh County Historical Society:"In the not-too-distant future, men will be working shorter hours and they will have more leisure time. Rather than have them loafing in pool rooms and saloons, I would like to see Hickory Run developed into a state park where families can come and enjoy wholesome recreation."Visitors will love the beach at Sand Spring Lake and the 44 miles of hiking trails. Other attractions include a 19-hole disc golf course, three orienteering courses, and a large tent and trailer camping area.