Mifflin: Forests, Waterways and History

Mifflin is a destination where nature experiences, trails and regional history offer a variety of highlights. A striking introduction to the landscape is Reeds Gap State Park: This 220-acre wilderness area is located in New Lancaster Valley in Mifflin County and is open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping the different scales in mind: alongside the park are extensive forest areas, trails of varying lengths and historic sites that appeal to different interests.

Forest Landscapes and Waterways

Bald Eagle State Forest covers more than 33,000 acres in Mifflin County and offers opportunities for hiking, hunting and scenic drives. Tuscarora State Forest spans Mifflin and Juniata Counties; its more than 36,000 acres of mountainous terrain include native trout streams. State Game Lands No. 113 covers 534 acres and lies entirely within Mifflin County. The game lands offer hunting areas and wildlife habitat.

The two sections of the Juniata River Water Trail are Class I waterways and are suitable for beginners under normal conditions. The designated National Recreation Trail extends for more than 150 miles and is a regional route. In Mifflin County, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission maintains four public access points, mainly on the Juniata River, with one on Tea Creek.

Trail lengths range from the Two Chief Trail, with four sections and just under three miles, to the 72-mile-long Link Trail. The Mainline Canal Greenway runs along the Juniata River and extends for 41 miles in Mifflin County. The Mid-State Trail is a long-distance hiking trail with access to trailheads near Milroy and Reeds Gap. A shorter example is the 0.21-mile Victory Park Walking Trail, which has a boat launch. These different lengths give you a practical guide when choosing between a short trail and a longer route.

Traces of Regional History

Three Locks at Strodes Mills preserves a section of the Pennsylvania Canal at Strodes Mills near Lewistown, with three adjacent locks and preserved masonry. The Towpath Trail is a restored section of this canal’s historic towpath. The Old Stone Arch Bridge is also connected with transportation history: It is associated with early 19th-century infrastructure along the Harrisburg–Pittsburgh Turnpike and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Stone Arch Bridge Historic Site covers one acre and has nearby benches and pedestrian connections.

Other historic landmarks offer different points of interest. The Lewistown Station Marker marks the oldest surviving structure of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Fort Granville Markers commemorate a fort from the French and Indian War and include a plaque and a roadside marker. In Granville Township, the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, Juniata Division, Canal Section preserves a surviving section of the PA Mainline Canal dating to around 1825. The Embassy Theatre in Lewistown is a historic theater dating to around 1927 and is significant for its role in entertainment and recreation.

Traditions and Events

The Festival of Ice takes place on Thursday and Friday evenings during the week after Thanksgiving. Visitors can watch ice artists create large sculptures from blocks of ice; the festival also includes the official lighting of the Christmas tree at Monument Square. Goose Day has been celebrated in the Juniata River Valley for more than two centuries. An early settler from England brought the tradition there in the late 18th century. For Goose Day, local restaurants in the Juniata River Valley add goose dishes to their menus. At the Open Show of the Mifflin County Youth Fair, people of all ages can exhibit handmade items and crafts.

Discover more destinations: Lewistown, Burnham, Schuylkill County, Butler, Clarion County, Monroe, Montgomery, Venango County.

For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.