Plan a weekend getaway in Cumberland Valley this fall and find a collection of free and low-cost activities to enjoy. Grab your jacket, put on your walking shoes, and enjoy the warm days and comfortably cool nights in our walkable downtowns or along our endless hiking trails.

Three Hollow Square Overlook

1. Cumberland Valley's Picture Perfect Trail

Sign up for the digital passport, check in at participating locations, and earn prizes as you explore Cumberland Valley's most Instagram-worthy locations.

Tractor Ride At The Fall Furnace Festival In The Cumberland Valley

2. Attend An Event

Cumberland Valley is bursting with special events and festivals year-round, but there's no better time than fall to experience festivals that reflect the heart and soul of our community. Many events are free to enter, while others may charge a nominal fee. Here are some highlights:


Hilltop View Of A Forest At King's Gap In The Cumberland Valley

3. Take A Hike

Fall is a fantastic time to hit the trails. The cooler, less-humid weather paired with the changing color of the fall leaves make for spectacular photos. If you have a backpack, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle, you're ready to hike in Cumberland Valley! Our trails vary in length and difficulty, making it easy to find a hike suited for you. Plus, parking and entrance are free at all hiking locations in the Valley.


Couple doing cheers with beer at Isaac's Craft Kitchen & Brewery in Lemoyne

4. Tap, Tour & Try A Pint

With more than 25 breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries, the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail will delight you with its variety of local craft beverages. Sign up for our free digital Cumberland Valley Beer Trail passport to begin your journey and check-in at the locations to win prizes.

Couple Fly Fishing on Yellow Breeches Creek In The Cumberland Valley

5. Get Out On the Water

There are still plenty of warm days during the fall in Cumberland Valley that are appropriate for getting your boat, kayak, or canoe out on the water. And you get the added benefit of less crowded locations. Find boat launches, streams, lakes, and more. *Please be sure to abide by the laws for boater registration, launch permitting, and safety requirements. Find more information.

Anglers have several opportunities to fish and fly-fish in the Valley. Whether you're reeling in sunfish, panfish, bass, or trout, you'll surely catch a bucket of smiles. Pine Grove Furnace State Park participates in the Borrow a Rod & Reel Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. The public can borrow rods, reels, and a tackle box full of hooks and other terminal tackle from the park office on a first-come, first-served basis. *Please be sure to abide by the laws for fishing registration and catch-and-release streams. Find more information.

Man Firing A Pumpkin Cannon In The Cumberland Valley

6. Have Fun On the Farm

Stroll through fields to find the perfect pumpkin, fill your bucket with u-pick apples, purchase the perfect mum, take a hayride, walk through a corn maze, or enjoy a variety of kids' activities. You can pick-your-own pumpkins at Paulus Farm Market while enjoying a hayride through their fields to see the Pumpkin' Chunkin' cannon hurl pumpkins. Warehime's Pumpkin Patch, located near Meadowbrooke Gourds, features approximately 30 varieties of u-pick pumpkins in various sizes and colors. Or check out Mt. Airy Orchards' corn maze in nearby Dillsburg.


Historical Sites

7. Uncover Local History

Cumberland Valley served as the Great Road West, and the people who traveled through left their mark on the Valley through their interests. Find a quirky and unexpected blend of by-donation museums covering the Appalachian Trail, Cumberland Valley Railroad, Rolls-Royce & Bentley motor cars, fashion through the ages, fly fishing, and more. Or, download a free self-guided tour and explore our communities on foot or by car.

Delve deeper into downtown Carlisle's historic past with the Carlisle History Walk trail. Sign up for the free digital passport, check in, and earn prizes. It's the perfect way to take a stroll and discover the historical gems of this charming town.

If you brought your bike, pedal the 13-mile Cumberland Valley Rail Trail and stop to read the markers depicting agricultural and Civil War heritage. The 2-mile LeTort Spring Nature Trail features several markers that depict the stream's impact on Carlisle's development, industry, and quality of life.

The U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center is a not-to-be-missed, free location offering an indoor museum with interactive exhibits and a one-mile outdoor trail featuring full-sized exhibits.