Fall has arrived, which means it’s the perfect time to enjoy nature’s air conditioning (roll down those car windows!)
Grab your favorite adventurous sidekick - human or furry - and go explore the Susquehanna River Valley’s scenic byways.
Along the way, you’ll discover quaint small towns (maybe even some that you didn’t know existed), family-owned small businesses, covered bridges, fields of pumpkins, and of course, the rolling hills, valleys, and mountains for which the region is known.
If you want to time your roadtrip with peak fall foliage, check out Fall Foliage Reports page – they post updates each week starting in late September.
According to their page, the Northern PA tree species that you might see are: Gray and paper (white) birches, Mountain maple, American mountain ash, Quaking aspen and Pin (fire) cherry. Southern PA tree species include: Black gum, Black walnut, Pignut hickory, Flowering dogwood, Southern red and scarlet oaks, Sweetbay and umbrella magnolias, Persimmon and Pawpaw.
If you really want to make this an educational journey, check out Penn State Extension’s Dichotomous Key or “Summer Key” – it walks you through the steps to identify trees based on their leaves. Some can be a little tricky, but this is a fun game with older kids.
Let’s get to it! Here are my top three fall foliage driving tours, one in each County – Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.
Union County:
Route 45 (Purple Heart Hwy) / Route 192 Loop
2 hours 5 minutes | 92 miles
This scenic byway, called the Purple Heart Highway, is 92 miles of historic, scenic beauty that takes you through Centre Hall and R.B. Winter State Park.
Along the way, you’ll see expansive farm fields, lovingly restored barns, and Amish horse-and-buggies. Several farms offer fresh cut flowers along this road, too.
From Lewisburg, simply follow Market Street, which turns into Route 45 West. Follow Rt. 45 west from Lewisburg for 45 miles. Turn right onto S. Pennsylvania Road to Centre Hall. Turn right onto Rt. 192 to drive through Brush Valley farmlands with views of mountain ridges to the north and the south.
Proceed 35 miles to R. B. Winter State Park. To view the park from the Overlook, turn left on Sand Mountain Road, keep left on McCall Dam Road for approximately half a mile. The Overlook parking lot will be on your right. In the distance you can see Halfway Lake.
Return to Rt. 192 and turn left to continue to the Halfway Lake parking area. Continue 12 miles to Cowan.
Make sure to stop for homemade hand-dipped ice cream (and coffee drinks) at the Old Mill Creamery. They even make fresh waffle cones.
Continue another 7 miles back to Lewisburg.
Expert tip:
Want to see an amazing natural attraction? From Route 45 or Route 192, turn onto Penns Cave Road to check out Penns Cave and Wildlife Park.
Snyder County:
Route 104 / Route 522 Loop
1 hour 15 minutes | 45 miles
Route 104 is a bustling byway that sometimes feels like you’re riding a roller coaster! Expect lots of ups and downs and twists and turns on this thoroughfare.
From Lewisburg, follow Market Street, which turns into Route 45 West. Travel on Route 45 West for 9 miles into Mifflinburg. Go through the town of Mifflinburg and turn left at Amy’s Frosty Freeze onto Route 104 South.
Follow 104 South to Route 522 East to Selinsgrove.
From Selinsgrove, follow Route 15 North to Lewisburg.
Expert tips:
As you explore Route 104, allow some time to stop at Shade Mountain Winery for a wine tasting with the Zimmerman family. Take in the view from their expansive deck overlooking their vineyard and take a bottle (or two!) home.
Into local art? Check out Penn’s Creek Pottery to see Bill Lynch’s masterful stoneware. He is well-known for his bright, vibrant glazes, including royal blue. He and his wife Sharon bought the old mill property in 1978 and still operate their business out of the mill today.
Northumberland County:
Riverside/Snydertown/Sunbury
40 minutes | 25 miles
This picturesque drive takes you through the small towns of Riverside and Elysburg, past a Greenhouse and a covered bridge, and into the town of Sunbury.
From Danville, cross the Susquehanna River Bridge into Riverside. At the light at The English Garden, turn left onto Route 54 and follow it for 8 miles into Elysburg.
When you come to the four-way stoplight in Elysburg (OIP will be ahead of you on the left and Sheetz/McDonald’s will be ahead of you on the right), turn right onto Route 487 and drive about 1-2 miles.
Turn right on Bottle Drive. Proceed to the stop sign at the T and turn left on Snydertown Road. Continue several miles (pass Greenleaf Greenhouses) then turn left onto Mill Road to see Keefer Station covered bridge (about ½ mile, dirt road).
Continue on Mill Road to Sawmill Road. Turn left and continue to Black Mill Road. Turn right and follow back to Snydertown Road. Turn left to continue toward Sunbury. As you come into the town, you will pass the former Sunbury Hospital on your left. Continue to the traffic light at Market Street/Route 61 and turn right to end the trip in downtown Sunbury.
Looking for even more fall foliage driving tour options?
The SRVVB’s list, with more than a dozen driving tours, can be found here.
Roadtrip Car Essentials 
If you’re a little rusty on road tripping, consider these tips to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone:
Creative supplies: Pack coloring books, crayons, markers, sticker books, and blank paper for drawing. A nature journal can be a fun addition to a fall foliage roadtrip – kids can write down what they see, smell, and hear along the journey!
Travel-friendly games: Look for magnetic board games, card games like UNO or Go Fish, and puzzle books.
Pillows and blankets: For napping or just getting cozy.
Music playlist: There are oodles of curated, fall playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Camera: The beautiful scenery of fall foliage is a perfect photo op!
A cooler: A must-have for keeping drinks cold.
Reusable water bottles: Have one for everyone and refill them at stops to stay hydrated and reduce waste.
Easy-to-eat snacks: Pack a variety of snacks that are not too messy. Think granola bars, dehydrated or cut fruit, pre-cut veggies/peanut butter, crackers, nuts, and beef jerky.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Messes will happen, so be prepared for sticky fingers and spills.
Friendly reminders:
Make sure your car has a stocked first-aid kit and a flashlight.
Also consider tossing in a change of clothes for each person and comfy shoes – especially if you plan to stop and do some walking to get a better view.
Get out and enjoy! Snap a picture when you’re out and about and tag us on Instagram @susquehannarivervalley or #ExploreSRV.
