Known for being the home of a large Amish community, Dutch Country, PA has beautiful rolling hills and farmland that is a pleasure to drive through. Just be sure to keep an eye out for buggies! You will also find some lovely, interesting, and free outdoor attractions in this region of PA. Here are a few of our favorites.
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park lies along the Susquehanna, and makes for a gorgeous walk. There is a small playground, bathrooms, lovely views of the river and mountains beyond, and of course, the mansion, which is believed to be built over the blockhouse of an eighteenth-century fort. It was first built in 1786 and was added to in later years. They were getting ready for a wedding the day we were there, and you could see why. A beautiful building and background for photos!
Several trails from the parking lot near the mansion wind down to the bank of the river, and there is also a trail heading parallel to the river, which we followed along until we came to a church near the Rockville Bridge. The land seemed to be private property after that, but there was a sign explaining that the bridge was built in 1902 and is the longest stone arch railroad bridge in the world. It is a pretty piece of architecture.
Holtwood Dam and Mill Creek Falls
Venture just across the river into York County to see Holtwood Dam and Mill Creek Falls. There are numerous trails to access near Lock 12, as well as picnic tables, portable restrooms and a small playground, but you can also continue down the narrow gravel road closer to the dam. Before you reach the lot near the dam, you’ll see an unmarked but clear trailhead opposite the river that leads to Mill Creek Falls.
The falls can be seen almost immediately upon starting on the trail, and go on in fits and starts for perhaps a quarter mile or so. There is no barrier but the trail is well maintained and can be enjoyed by the whole family. You can climb down to rocks next to the falls in several places, but take care as it is damp, mossy and a bit slick.
Also of interest is the dam itself. Continue down the gravel road past lock 12 to the lot closest to the dam, and walk down to the river if it’s a clear day. (There are signs everywhere saying the river can rise with dangerous speed, thus you don’t want to explore the area near the dam when there’s potential for rain.) It is a good way for kids to learn about hydroelectric power, as you can hear, see and feel the power of the river rolling over the dam, and it’s easy to imagine it being converted into electricity.
Money Rocks State Park
Money Rocks County Park is an interesting small park about 10 minutes away from Shady Maple Smorgasbord. So named because it was rumored that people hid their money amongst the rocks, this was a fun little hike and the perfect size for our family (short, but with lots of rocks to climb.) It is probably less than a mile, free to enter, and includes adequate parking. The main attraction is a tall rock wall – a trail leads to the bottom of the rocks, then loops around to the top where you can (carefully) climb up to take in the view. The view is obscured by the forest, but the fun is in the climb and in noticing the unique geological formations you are climbing on. We also noticed some inscriptions on the rocks that appeared to be from the 1800’s!
It is a great idea to pair this park with a meal at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, a well-known and enormous buffet that is a can’t-miss in the area if you are interested in trying authentic, Pennsylvania-Dutch food. We love going for breakfast, which is quite affordable and delicious! Definitely try the baked French toast and scrumptious donuts. It can get crowded, but the 180 employees keep things moving, which means you won’t have long to wait.
