{"id":276542,"date":"2026-09-01T14:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/276542\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T14:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:52:12","slug":"your-guide-to-autumn-in-the-heart-of-pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/276542\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to autumn in the heart of Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nestled in the heart of Central Pennsylvania,\u202fColumbia & Montour Counties\u202f<\/a>are just over two hours northwest of Philadelphia. The area is renowned for its rural beauty and outstanding adventure opportunities without the huge crowds of the Poconos or Jim Thorpe. Here are some of the best ways to escape this fall into the Heart of PA.<\/p>\n

The Covered Bridge & Arts Festival<\/p>\n

Start with the premiere gateway event to fall in Central Pennsylvania, the 44th Annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival<\/a>. The event is one of the East Coast\u2019s largest craft festivals. It celebrates the area\u2019s iconic covered bridges while showcasing over 350 crafters and food vendors featuring a wide range of handmade and artisan crafts. This immensely popular four-day fall festival will be held at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, PA from Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11 this year. Hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Parking and admission to the festival are FREE and tour buses are always welcome.<\/p>\n

In addition to the crafters and food vendors, attendees will find wine, beer & spirit tastings, fall activities, live fine artist crafting demonstrations, a weekend petting zoo, strolling saxophonist and much more.\u202fThe\u202fCovered Bridge & Arts Festival\u202f<\/a>has been awarded the tag of one of the 200 Best Arts & Craft Shows in the country ten times by Sunshine Artist Magazine.<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedProvided Courtesy\/Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n

Covered Bridge & Arts Festival<\/p>\n

Throughout the weekend, attendees will be able to see some of the crafters working on their craft in real-time, right in front of them. From painting to photography, woodcrafts, textiles, pottery, blown glass, jewelry, handmade fudge, hot sauces, and so much more, the event will have something for everyone to find for even the pickiest of family members on the Christmas gift list. And with 30+ food vendors, there will be no shortage of delicious fall treats to enjoy as you shop.<\/p>\n

Explore the Great Outdoors<\/p>\n

The local landscape is comprised of idyllic river valleys, rolling hills and green farmlands, as well as charming riverside communities, forests, parks, and state game lands. In Montour County, the secluded J. Manley Robbins Rail Trail is America\u2019s oldest rails to trails system. The area comes alive with vibrant foliage each fall, turning these parks and trails into even more scenic spots.<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedInstagram User @ronakp967\/Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n

Ricketts Glen State Park Falls Trail<\/p>\n

One must-see outdoor attraction is Ricketts Glen State Park, located in the northeast corner of\u202fColumbia County<\/a>\u202fand extending into nearby Luzerne and Sullivan Counties. In the park, hikers can enjoy a vast network of trails that take them past more than 20 stunning waterfalls. There is also a beach, lake, campground, kayak rentals, and much more.<\/p>\n

The Montour\u202fPreserve<\/a> is also an outdoor enthusiast\u2019s dream with a 165-acre lake perfect for fishing and boating, a bird sanctuary, maple sugaring in the early spring, and plenty of great hiking trails. For history buffs and archaeology lovers, a one-acre exposed Mahantango shale pit at the Preserve is open to the public for finders-keepers fossil hunting from dawn until dusk. For those looking for an aquatic adventure, the Susquehanna River is the longest and oldest river on the East Coast, and weaves directly through the area. The slow-moving Susquehanna is the perfect spot for a leisurely summer kayak, canoe, or tubing excursion. If fishing is on the mind, Fishing Creek is one of the best trout streams in the state.<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedMontour Area Recreation Commission\/Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n

Montour Preserve<\/p>\n

Knoebels & Covered Bridges<\/p>\n

Nostalgia is heavy in the air at Knoebels Amusement Resort<\/a>, where the old-fashioned rides and secluded woodland setting evokes sweet memories of childhood. Knoebels has no entrance fee and offers free parking. The park was recently awarded the No. 1 spot in Tripadvisor\u2019s 2026 Travelers\u2019 Choice Awards. The park also boasts the number one wooden roller coaster in the world \u2014 the \u201cPhoenix\u201d \u2014 as awarded by Amusement Today in their annual Golden Ticket Awards. Roller coaster enthusiasts visit from all over the country to enjoy Knoebels\u2019 iconic wooden coasters, as well as the park\u2019s newer thrill rides like \u201cThe Impulse\u201d or \u201cFlying Turns\u201d \u2013 the world\u2019s only wooden bobsled coaster.<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedProvided Courtesy\/Knoebels Amusement Resort<\/p>\n

The Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Timeless & picturesque, the covered bridges of Columbia &\u202fMontour\u202fCounties in Central Pennsylvania harken back to simpler times. The two counties are home to an\u202fincredible twenty-five covered bridges<\/a>, the third most in the country. Most are tucked into the quiet countryside; many are on dirt roads spanning small streams, with a gorgeous woodland backdrop. Could there be a better time to visit these historic treasures than in the onset of autumn\u2019s vibrant brilliance!?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedJimmy Tighe\/Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n

Esther Furnace Covered Bridge<\/p>\n

Ways to Extend Your Trip<\/p>\n

If you want to make your visit more than a day trip to just see the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival, the area has so much more to offer families and couples alike. Explore\u202fBill\u2019s Old Bike Barn<\/a>, visit a family farm like\u202fRohrbach\u2019s<\/a>\u202fto do the corn maze or collect fresh fall goodies, fruits, and veggies, rent a kayak to explore Lake Chillisquaque, learn about the history of coal mining at the\u202fPioneer Tunnel<\/a>,\u202fsee the majestic red deer at Rolling Hills Farm<\/a>, or visit a local winery for a relaxing afternoon. There\u2019s even a free\u202fmobile fishing passport program<\/a> for angling enthusiasts looking to receive the title of Master Angler for the region!\u202f<\/p>\n

To request a free Travel Guide and to get more information, visit:\u202fHeartofPA.com<\/a>. You may also contact the Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-847-4810.<\/p>\n

\"Limited\"LimitedProvided Courtesy\/Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n

The picturesque village of Stillwater.<\/p>\n

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