Union County: Nature Trails and History

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 and is suitable for cycling, inline skating, mountain biking, walking, and cross-country skiing. The trail is also wheelchair accessible. Check operating hours again before your trip.

Experience Nature: Trail, Lake, and Wild Area

Raymond B. Winter State Park covers 695 acres in Pennsylvania’s Ridge and Valley Province. The park is in Union County on Pennsylvania Route 192, 18 miles west of Lewisburg. Its Halfway Lake is fed by spring-fed mountain streams and bordered by a hand-laid dam made of native sandstone. A trail circles the lake, offering views and passing the first dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Pennsylvania.

The Overlook Trail and McCalls Dam Road offer additional vantage points: from there, you can see Halfway Dam, the Rapid Run water gap, and the surrounding mountains. The area around the Rapid Run Nature Trail covers 39 acres and is among the first State Park Natural Areas. Raymond B. Winter State Park offers public programs from April through October; schedules vary.

A different landscape characterizes Penns Creek Wild Area in western Union County, southwest of Weikert. The area covers 3,581 acres and is intended to remain largely undeveloped. These natural sites offer contrasting experiences: Halfway Lake highlights the lake, dam, and views, while the Wild Area stands out above all for its size and the planned preservation of its largely undeveloped character.

Local History and Traditions

In New Berlin, the New Berlin Heritage Museum is housed in the original Union County Courthouse. Its collection includes artifacts, photographs, and printed materials from many generations. The Gutelius House Museum features a log cabin dating to 1803. Workshops, events, and lectures offer insights into new skills, crafts, and arts and crafts; individual programs may vary by season.

Mifflinburg is a borough in Union County whose Pennsylvania German heritage is reflected in historic buildings, craft shops, and local traditions. A self-guided walking tour visits historic buildings and Victorian architecture. The area’s craft heritage is also a focus: the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum Association, Inc. preserves the original Heiss Coach Works for public appreciation. The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum also offers programs for schools, homeschoolers, and organizations.

Buggy Day in Mifflinburg features demonstrations, food, vendors, and activities celebrating the town’s craft heritage; event dates and programming may vary. Oktoberfest in Mifflinburg is an annual celebration of the town’s German roots, with traditional food, music, drinks, and entertainment. Dates and programming may also change.

In Lewisburg, the Union County Historical Society offers tours of the Dale-Engle-Walker House, dating to 1793. The grounds include a restored milk house and a replica wagon shed with historic agricultural equipment and vehicles. Check the society’s calendar and newsletters for tour details. Another connection to Lewisburg lies in business history: Purity Candy Company was founded there in 1907. At its factory store in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, visitors can watch candy being made through the windows; production times may vary.

Discover more destinations: Lewisburg, White Deer, Luzerne, Jefferson County, Schuylkill County, Wayne, McKean County, Clearfield.

For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.