Union County: Nature, History and Special Excursions
Accommodation in Union County
Union County combines expansive natural landscapes with regional history and unusual visitor experiences. A good starting point for planning your trip is the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail: it connects Market Street in Lewisburg with N. 10th Street in Mifflinburg and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The trail is suitable for cycling, inline skating, mountain biking, walking and cross-country skiing, and is wheelchair accessible. This makes it possible to choose your vacation rental based on whether you are primarily interested in active days on the trail or exploring historic sites and museums.
Nature Between Lake, Mountains and Forest
Raymond B. Winter State Park covers 695 acres in Pennsylvania's Ridge and Valley Province. Halfway Lake is fed by mountain streams and bordered by a hand-built dam made of native sandstone. A trail circles the lake, offers scenic views and passes Pennsylvania's first dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. From the Overlook Trail and McCalls Dam Road, you can see Halfway Dam, the Rapid Run water gap and the surrounding mountains.
The state park is located on Pennsylvania Route 192, 18 miles west of Lewisburg. This specific location can help you decide whether to focus your accommodation on excursions in the western part of the county or on an itinerary centered around Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. Public programs are offered at Raymond B. Winter State Park from April through October.
Additional natural experiences can be found in western Union County: Penns Creek Wild Area is located southwest of Weikert and covers 3,581 acres. It is intended to remain largely undeveloped. The 39 acres surrounding the Rapid Run Nature Trail form one of the first State Park Natural Areas. Near Laurelton, a self-guided interpretive trail in a forest management demonstration area shows the results of various timber-harvesting methods.
History and German Traditions in Mifflinburg
Mifflinburg is a borough in Union County with Pennsylvania German heritage. Historic buildings, craft shops and local traditions shape this aspect of the town. A self-guided walking tour leads through the town and connects historic buildings with Victorian architecture. At the annual Oktoberfest, German roots are celebrated with traditional food, music, drinks and entertainment.
The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum preserves the original Heiss Coach Works for public appreciation. The museum also offers programs for schools, homeschoolers and organizations. Buggy Day includes demonstrations, food, vendors and activities that honor the town's craft heritage. This allows you to combine an outdoor visit with insights into regional craft history without limiting your trip solely to a landscape experience.
Museums, Houses and Special Discoveries
At the New Berlin Heritage Museum, you can learn about Union County's original courthouse. The collection includes artifacts, photographs and printed materials from many generations. The Gutelius House Museum is an 1803 log cabin and offers workshops, events and lectures where visitors can learn new skills, crafts and handicrafts.
In Lewisburg, the Union County Historical Society leads tours of the 1793 Dale-Engle-Walker House. The grounds include a restored milk house and a reproduction carriage house with historic agricultural equipment and vehicles. In Allenwood, you can watch candy being made through the windows of the Purity Candy factory store. Purity Candy Company was founded in Lewisburg in 1907.
Clyde Peeling's Reptiland also expands the range of excursions with a distinctive wildlife experience. The specialized zoo showcases exotic reptiles and amphibians from around the world in naturalistic habitats and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums through September 2029.
Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Trip?
If nature and activity are your priorities, consider the location of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail and the 18 miles between Lewisburg and Raymond B. Winter State Park when searching for a vacation rental or vacation home. For culture-focused days, the historic attractions in Mifflinburg and Lewisburg, along with the county's museums, suggest a different focus.
As another location page, you can also include White Deer in your search for a suitable base in the county. This allows you to compare different travel approaches before choosing a vacation rental in Union County.
For the higher-level travel overview: Pennsylvania.
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