Search:
Weiser State Forest Annual Fall Foliage Drive-through
The Roaring Creek Trail in Weiser State Forest in Columbia and Northumberland counties will be open to motor vehicles annually on a Sunday in October.
On Sunday, October 19th, 2025, the Weiser Forest District will provide the public with a unique opportunity to drive on the Roaring Creek Trail through the Weiser State Forest, Roaring Creek Tract. We invite you to come out and enjoy the day with us in the great outdoors. The sprawling mountains and diverse tree species of Roaring Creek make for some of the most stunning autumn views in the area. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch for a picnic at one of the tables along the trail.
The drive-through will begin at 9:30 AM, starting at the Route 42 parking lot gate; the gate will remain open until 2:00 PM. Traffic will be restricted to one-way travel on the 8-mile Roaring Creek Trail and will exit at the Route 54 parking lot gate. Smokey Bear will be making an appearance by the pavilion, and if you wish to stop and see him, please park past the A-frame cabin to avoid traffic congestion. All vehicles must exit the Roaring Creek Trail by 3:00 PM. Passenger vehicles only (cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs, passenger vans, motorcycles) will be permitted to enter. Vehicles towing trailers/campers, buses, motor homes and other large vehicles will not be permitted.
Individuals who possess a valid fishing license may cast a line from the shore or their canoe or kayak. Canoes and kayaks are permitted on McWilliams and Kline’s reservoirs. A valid launch permit or boat registration from DCNR or Fish and Boat Commission affixed to the boat is required (Launch Permits WILL NOT be available for on-site purchase this year). Canoes and kayaks must be transported by rooftop or in the bed of a pick-up truck.
For more information, please contact the Weiser Forest District Resource Management Center at 570-875-6450
Farmland, Covered Bridges & Country Roads Loop (1 hour, 30 minutes | 45 miles)
Northumberland and Union Counties
Explore several covered bridges and country roads while viewing the colorful fall leaves. This tour starts and ends at our Visitors Center and takes you through peaceful backroads. Start at the Visitors Bureau, 2733 State Route 45, Milton, PA 17847. Turn left on PA Route 45 East and proceed for 1.1 miles.
Sodom School, an octagonal one room schoolhouse, is just ahead on the left. The view from Sodom School of distant mountains is lovely, especially at peak fall foliage viewing.
A historical marker tells a bit of the history of this eight-sided single-story school which was built of limestone quarried nearby in the early 1800’s and was in use until 1915. It has a single chimney in the center of the roof, seven windows, and a single door on the south side facing the road. A vestibule was once attached where students hung their coats. The inside was painted slate grey, and a wood-burning stove stood in the center. On the north wall was a blackboard, with a 30-foot long, 10-foot wide, 10-inch-high platform for the teacher. The teacher's chair and desk were painted red. Two recitation benches faced the platform. Six long rough desks were placed parallel to the walls and two more were placed in the center of the room. Students within a three-mile radius attended, sometimes as many as 100 at one time, but usually only 40–60 students attended.
From Sodom School, turn right onto Rt. 45 and turn left onto Covered Bridge Road (430’). Continue 1 mile (bear left at the Y to stay on Covered Bridge Road). Cross Rishel Covered Bridge, a burr truss bridge built in 1830 that crosses Chillisquaque Creek. Some consider this to be the oldest remaining original covered bridge in Pennsylvania which is still used for local traffic.
From the bridge go 1 mile, wind through farmland, and then turn left on Frederick Road.
Cross the intersection of PA Route 45 and continue on Shakespeare Road.
Turn right on S Mill Road towards Pottsgrove.
Turn right onto PA Route 642. Drive 0.5 mile and turn left onto Creek Road. Proceed for 0.8 miles and notice the Sam Wagner Covered Bridge on your right.
This 95-foot-long Burr Truss bridge built in 1881 by George W. Keefer for $939 crosses Chillisquaque Creek.
Bear left to continue onto Mexico Rd. Continue until the intersection of Route 642. Turn right and continue into Milton. Route 642 turns into Mahoning Street in the borough and will lead you across the Susquehanna River where you can exit into Milton State Park. This is a lovely 82-acre island park with walking trails and views of the river.
Exit Milton State Park and continue west on Rt. 642.
Turn right onto River Road and proceed 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Main Street. Continue onto New Columbia Rd and proceed 2.3 miles.
Turn right onto Gray Hill Rd. and proceed for 1.5 miles to the historic Factory Horsham Covered Bridge.
This Kingpost and Queenpost Truss bridge was built in 1880 at 63’ and crosses White Deer Creek. There is a pull-off on the northern side of the bridge from which to view the bridge.
Head north on Gray Hill Rd/Factory Bridge Rd. toward White Deer Pike for 0.1 mile
Turn right onto White Deer Pike and proceed for 1.5 miles.
Turn right to merge onto US-15 S toward Lewisburg/I-80.
Proceed 7.2 miles on Route 15 S and turn left onto River Road.
In half a mile, just past a sharp curve to the right, notice the historic Eli Slifer Mansion at the top of the hill on the right.
Colonel Eli Slifer figured prominently in Pennsylvania's history for his significant contributions to the state as Treasurer of the Commonwealth 1855-56, 1859-1861, and Secretary of the Commonwealth 1861-67. As secretary, Slifer raised and deployed troops from Pennsylvania for the Union during the Civil War. Just prior to the Civil War, Slifer hired architect Samuel Sloan to design a house overlooking the Susquehanna River. The 21-room Italianate mansion was built on the Delta Place property, a 188-acre farm purchased by Slifer from Joseph Musser. It later served as a medical practice, a hospital, orphanage, and museum. Its future is uncertain as the museum was closed, items dispersed, and it now faces possible demolition.
Continue on River Rd and turn left on N Water St to PA-45 E/Market St in Lewisburg.
Turn left onto PA-45 E/Market St.
Continue to follow PA-45 E across the Susquehanna River for 3 min (1.8 mi) to return to the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau.
Union and Snyder Counties Covered Bridge Tour 1 hour, 30 minutes | 64 miles
Start at the Historic Hayes Covered Bridge
Hoover Road, Mifflinburg, PA
Head south on Hoover Rd/T376 for 0.6 miles.
Turn left onto Rt. 45 W. for 1.6 miles.
Turn right onto PA-104 S. Proceed 19.8 miles (25 min)
Turn right onto Pine Swamp Rd (in .6 miles turn right to stay on Pine Swamp Road)
Continue 0.5 miles and turn left onto Covered Bridge Rd (in .9 miles turn right to stay on Covered Bridge Road)
Continue 0.6 miles and turn left onto Arbogast Church Road to the Historic North Oriental Covered Bridge, Mt Pleasant Mills, PA.
Head north on Arbogast Church Rd toward Covered Bridge Rd
Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road for 1.5 miles.
Turn right onto Pine Swamp Road for 0.5 miles.
Continue straight onto Rice Road.
In 0.2 miles merge onto Aline Church Road.
Continue 0.4 miles to the Historic Aline/Meiserville Covered Bridge
124 Aline Church Rd, Mt Pleasant Mills, PA
Head northeast on Aline Church Rd toward PA-104 N.
Turn left onto PA-104 N.
In 9.0 miles turn left onto Paxtonville Road.
Continue 5.2 miles and turn left onto US-522 S.
Proceed 4.4 miles and turn left onto Spring Street and then turn right onto Railroad Avenue.
Proceed to the Historic Gross/ Klinepeter Covered Bridge, Railroad Ave, Beaver Springs, PA.
Head northeast on Railroad Avenue toward Center Avenue.
Turn left onto Spring Street.
Turn right onto US-522 N.
In 3.8 miles turn left onto Covered Bridge Road.
In 0.9 miles turn left onto Beaver Ridge Road.
Proceed for 4.9 miles to the Historic Dreese Covered Bridge, Covered Bridge Rd & Beaver Ridge Rd, Beavertown, PA.
Turn left on Covered Bridge Road for 1.9 miles.
Turn left on Kissimmee Road for .9 miles.
Turn right on Middle Road for 4.2 miles.
Turn left on Bowersox Road for 1.8 miles.
Turn left on PA-104 N to Mifflinburg for 4.9 miles.
Turn right on Chestnut Street for .5 miles.
Turn left onto N 4th St
In 0.4 mi see the Historic Hassenplug Covered Bridge, N 4th St, Mifflinburg, PA 17844.
The Linn Conservancy Koons Trail is located here if you would like to stretch your legs and take a short walk or head to Rusty Rail Brewing Company or Amy’s Frosty Freeze for dinner and a treat.