At Raymond B. Winter State Park, Halfway Lake defines the landscape: spring-fed mountain streams feed the lake, which is held back by a hand-laid dam made of local sandstone. The park covers 695 acres in Pennsylvania’s Ridge and Valley Province. It is in Union County on Pennsylvania Route 192, 18 miles west of Lewisburg.
Lakes, Trails and Open Spaces
The Overlook Trail and McCalls Dam Road offer views of Halfway Dam, the Rapid Run water gap and the surrounding mountains. A trail loops around Halfway Lake, offering views and passing Pennsylvania’s first dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Here, the landscape and a piece of construction history come together by the lake.
The area around the Rapid Run Nature Trail is also notable: its 39 acres are among the first State Park Natural Areas. Penns Creek Wild Area is also in western Union County, southwest of Weikert. It covers 3,581 acres and is intended to remain largely undeveloped. Together, these places showcase different scales of landscape, from a lake with its hand-laid dam to an expansive wild area.
Those looking to pair their visit with a public program at Raymond B. Winter State Park can find offerings from April through October. Programs vary, so check the schedule for the relevant dates if you’re planning your visit around one.
One Route, Many Ways to Explore
The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail connects Market Street in Lewisburg with N. 10th Street in Mifflinburg. It is open year-round from sunrise to sunset; check operating information before your trip. The trail is suitable for walking, cycling, inline skating, mountain biking and cross-country skiing, and is wheelchair accessible. Its range of activities makes it a practical way to build exercise into your travel plans without limiting your visit to just one activity.
Mifflinburg’s Heritage and Historic Buildings
In Mifflinburg, the community’s Pennsylvania German heritage can be seen in its historic buildings, craft shops and local traditions. A self-guided walking tour takes visitors past historic buildings and Victorian architecture. The town also hosts events with a variety of themes: the annual Oktoberfest celebrates its German roots with traditional food, music, drinks and entertainment. Dates and programming may vary. Buggy Day honors the town’s craft heritage with demonstrations, food, vendors and activities; dates and programming may vary here, too.
The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum Association, Inc. preserves the original Heiss Coach Works for public appreciation. The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum offers programs for schools, homeschoolers and organizations. These offerings complement the town walking tour with another perspective on its craft heritage.
Courthouses, Collections and Historic Homes
The New Berlin Heritage Museum is housed in the original Union County Courthouse. Its collection includes artifacts, photographs and printed materials spanning many generations. In Lewisburg, the Union County Historical Society offers tours of the Dale-Engle-Walker House, built in 1793. The grounds include a restored milk house and a replica wagon shed with historic farm equipment and vehicles. For details about tours, consult the society’s calendar and newsletters.
The Gutelius House Museum is an 1803 log cabin. Workshops, events and talks offer opportunities to learn about skills, trades and crafts; individual programs may vary by season. Along with the tours in Lewisburg and the collection in New Berlin, it offers another way to explore the county’s history: through a preserved building, its use as a museum and changing educational programs.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Lewisburg, White Deer, Susquehanna County, Erie, Blair, Crawford County, Cambria County, Northampton.
For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
