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Fall Foliage Tours & Scenic Drives in the Susquehanna River Valley, PA 

Scenic drives are one of the best ways to experience fall foliage in the Susquehanna River Valley. Leaves typically begin to change in late September and reach their peak color in the second or third week of October, though each year is a little different depending on weather and rainfall.  

Whether you want to spend an hour or a whole day leaf-peeping, we have a variety of colorful routes to choose from, including quick loops, full-day drives, and themed routes. Some foliage tours incorporate local attractions like covered bridges or suggest convenient places to stop for a treat. 

Quick Scenic Drives (Short & Easy) 

These short loops take less than an hour and are perfect when you want to add a little fall color to the rest of your plans without much effort. 

Scenic Vistas & Ice Cream Route (50 minutes | 27 miles) 

What to expect: two stunning vistas and a beloved ice cream shop. Please note: This route includes some narrow, non-paved state forest roads. Drive carefully and use your best judgment based on road and weather conditions. 

  • From Mifflinburg, travel north on Forest Hill Road for 3.9 miles. Turn left on Buffalo Rd./Rt. 192 West. Proceed northwest for 8.9 miles. Take a sharp right turn onto Sand Mountain Road and immediately bear left onto McCall Dam Road. In .6 miles, the Overlook at R. B. Winter State Park pull-off will be on the right.  

  • Head back to Rt. 192 E. and turn left. Proceed 1.3 miles and turn right onto Pine Creek Road. Go 1.1 miles and take a sharp left onto Jones Mountain Road. Proceed 3 miles. There is a pull-off parking area at Jones Mountain Road Vista on the right. This vista faces the west and is a particularly lovely place to view the sunset. 

  • Head northeast on Jones Mountain Rd for 1.8 miles and turn left to stay on Jones Mountain Road. Proceed 2.1 miles. Turn right onto Rt. 192 East. Travel 3.8 miles to the village of Cowan and the Old Mill Creamery on the left, where you must stop for homemade hand-dipped ice cream served in a handmade waffle cone. 

Union County Loop - Route 15 to 304 to 45 (40 minutes | 21 miles) 

What to expect: quaint downtowns, rural landscapes and a soda bar and candy shop. 

  • From Lewisburg, travel south on Route 15 towards Winfield, approximately 4 miles.  

  • Turn right onto Route 304 West and follow for almost 8 miles into New Berlin.  

  • Turn right on Vine Street and continue out of town (Vine Street turns into New Berlin Mountain Road and then Dreisbach Church Road). 

  • Cross Furnace Road and continue to the intersection with Route 45.  

Route 304 Loop (45 minutes | 29 miles) 

What to expect: a historic mill turned pottery studio and a soda bar/candy company. 

  • From Lewisburg, travel south on Route 15 towards Winfield, which is about 4 miles.  

  • Turn right onto Route 304 West and follow for approximately 8 miles into New Berlin.  

  • From New Berlin, continue on Route 304 West to Penns Creek for a visit to the iconic Penns Creek Pottery located in a historic mill.  

  • Turn right onto Route 45 East and follow it to Lewisburg. You can add a stop at Banty Rooster on your way back to Lewisburg.  

Riverside/Snydertown/Sunbury (40 minutes | 25 miles) 

What to expect: a historic covered bridge. 

  • From Riverside, follow Route 54 to Elysburg, then 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 (past 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. 

Scenic Day Trips & Longer Routes 

If you have more time and want to make a few stops, enjoy one of these longer drives. Most take 1-2 hours and include a few places to visit along your way. 

Route 45 (Purple Heart Hwy) / Route 192 Loop (2 hours 5 minutes | 92 miles) 

What to expect: rural pastures, fields and barns, Amish horse-and-buggies, natural wonders and ample fall foliage. 

  • From Lewisburg, 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 and 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 and stop for homemade hand-dipped ice cream at the Old Mill Creamery. Continue another 7 miles back to Lewisburg.  

  • From Route 45 or Route 192, turn onto Penns Cave Road to see the iconic Penns Cave and Wildlife Park. 

Route 104 / Route 522 Loop (1 hour 15 minutes | 45 miles) 

What to expect: lots of leaves against a backdrop of mountain ranges and deep valleys.  

  • 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 onto Route 104 South. Follow 104 South to Route 522 East to Selinsgrove.  

  • From Selinsgrove, follow Route 15 North to Lewisburg.

The sun breaks through trees bedecked with autumn glory.
Fall Driving Tour
fall, water

Mifflinburg to Mt. Pisgah Scenic View - Route 104 to 35 (1 hour, 30 minutes | 65 miles) 

What to expect: a spectacular mountain view and a unique stone altar. 

  • Follow Route 104 in Mifflinburg South to Mount Pleasant Mills.  

  • Take Route 35 West to McAlisterville.  

  • Turn right on Route 235 N and proceed for 6 miles. Turn right onto Shade Mountain Road.  

  • In half a mile, take a slight left onto Mt. Pisgah Altar Road. Drive 0.7 miles until you reach Mount Pisgah Altar. 

  • After you’ve enjoyed the scenic view, return to Route 235 N for 17.3 miles.  

  • Turn right on Laurel Road and continue to Route 45 and back to Mifflinburg. 

Western Snyder County - Route 522 to 235 (1 hour | 42 miles) 

What to expect: a straightforward route through several small towns. 

  • Take Route 522 West from Selinsgrove, through Middleburg and Beavertown. 

  • At Beaver Springs, turn right onto Route 235.  

  • Turn right onto Creek Road in Benfer and follow back to Route 522 to go back to Selinsgrove. 

Southern Snyder County - Route 35 (50 minutes, 35 miles) 

What to expect: a quick countryside drive. 

  • Follow Route 35 West from Selinsgrove through Kantz and Freeburg to the blinking light at Mount Pleasant Mills (intersection of Route 35 & Route 104).  

  • Turn right onto Route 104 and travel about ¾ mile. 

  • Turn left onto Heister Valley Road. 

  • Follow Heister Valley Road to the end in Richfield. 

  • Turn left onto Route 35 and follow back to Selinsgrove. 

Fields-of-Gold fall
Steve-Pensyl-5 swans fall water
fall roadway

South from Sunbury to Herndon to Shamokin – Routes 147 to 225 and 61 (1 hour 15 minutes | 50 miles) 

What to expect: amazing fall vistas of the rural farmlands of Central Pennsylvania. 

  • Start in Sunbury and follow Route 147 South along the River.  

  • After you pass Herndon, pick up Route 225 to Shamokin. 

  • Travel back to Sunbury on Route 61. 

East from Sunbury to Shamokin and Back – Route 61 to 125 to 25 to 225 to 890 (2 hours | 80 miles) 

What to expect: curvy roads, quaint towns and lots of valleys and wide-open spaces. 

  • Pick up Route 61 and head east to Shamokin.  

  • From Shamokin, take Route 125, heading south to Hegins.  

  • At Hegins, take Route 25 to Berrysburg.  

  • At Berrysburg, take Route 225, heading north to Trevorton.  

  • At Trevorton, take Route 890, heading north back to Sunbury.  

Danville/Riverside/Elysburg/Shikellamy State Park/Joseph Priestley House Museum (1 Hour 30 minutes | 50 miles) 

What to expect: plenty of landmarks and attractions, plus a great place for a snack break. 

  • From downtown Danville, head southwest and cross the Danville-Riverside Bridge Rd/S Mill St. to Riverside. Turn left and follow Route 54 E to Elysburg, the home of Knoebels Amusement Resort.  

  • 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 (past 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 downtown Sunbury. Grab a hot dog and soda at a local landmark, The Squeeze-In. 

  • Continue on Market Street west. Turn right onto N. Front St. / Route 405 for 1.3 miles. Turn left to stay on Rt. 405 (crossing Packer Island and the Susquehanna River) into Northumberland. Turn left onto Marina Road to see Shikellamy State Park, on the tip of Packer Island at the confluence of the West and North branches of the Susquehanna River. From the marina, continue to the Overlook Section of the State Park for an amazing view of the river and towns.  

  • Take Marina Rd to PA-405. Turn left on Water Street and continue on to US-11 S to County Line Road 1.3 miles. Follow County Line Road and take a sharp right turn onto Shikellamy State Park Road to the Overlook. 

  • Head back to Route 11N and turn left to go back into Northumberland. From Rt. 11N, turn right onto King Street and then left onto Priestley Avenue, and check out the historic Joseph Priestley House Museum. 

  • Take Orange Street to Water Street. Turn right and continue onto Route 11 N. / Point Township Drive for 11 miles to get back to the Pine Barn Inn. 

Covered Bridges, Farmland & Themed Drives 

Pair fall foliage with local heritage when you visit some of our 17 historic covered bridges. These wooden structures were built more than 100 years ago. 

Northumberland and Union Counties Farmland, Covered Bridges & Country Roads Loop (1 hour, 30 minutes | 45 miles) 

What to expect: three covered bridges, a one-room schoolhouse and a historic mansion surrounded by colorful leaves. 

  • This tour starts and ends at our Visitors Center in Milton. 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. Enjoy the lovely view of the distant mountains, especially when the foliage is at its peak. 

  • Turn right onto Rt. 45 and then 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 may be the oldest covered bridge in Pennsylvania that is still in use. 

  • 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 miles and turn left onto Creek Road. Proceed for 0.8 miles and notice the Sam Wagner Covered Bridge on your right.  

  • 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, 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. 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. 

  • 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 

What to expect: six covered bridges and a perfect dinner spot. 

  • Start at the Historic Hayes Covered Bridge and 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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 miles, see the Historic Hassenplug Covered Bridge.  

Forest & Destination-Based Drives 

Nature lovers should check out these scenic drives through some of the region’s most beautiful forest landscapes. 

Weiser State Forest Annual Fall Foliage Drive-through 

The Roaring Creek Trail in Weiser State Forest in Columbia and Northumberland counties is open to motor vehicles annually on one special Sunday in October. 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. 

For more information, including this year’s date, please contact the Weiser Forest District Resource Management Center at 570-875-6450 

Route 15 Corridor 

If you missed the Weiser Forest Drive-through, don’t worry. Route 15 offers gorgeous foliage, dramatic riverside views, and easy connections to Interstate 80, Route 45, 192, and 11, no matter the day. It’s the perfect place to start a scenic drive.

Fall River
fall forest
Beautiful Fall Foliage at Weiser State Forest