Southern End, Lancaster County, PA

The Southern End of Lancaster County is full of rich history, farmland, hiking trails and tons of quaint little shops full of treasures.

Nature in Drumore, Holtwood and beyond

Deep in the southern end, just before Maryland, you’ll find great hiking, geocaching and fishing. You can take a drive through Fishing Creek and see beautiful waters winding through the woods or take a walk out to the Pinnacle that overlooks the Susquehanna River. Shenk’s Ferry Nature Preserve near Safe Harbor and Conestoga has endless flowers in the spring that you can walk or drive through.

Events at all times of the year

Washington Boro is famous for its tomatoes, and you will love the Tomato Festival in July each year. The Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce hosts a Christmas Tree Lighting in Quarryville every December that’s free to everyone. In the fall, there’s fairs in Lampeter and Quarryville, and each spring, you’ll find Fire Company Mud Sales in Strasburg, Gap, Rawlinsville and more.

Camping for all

The Southern End features campgrounds that are great for the whole family. You can stay at Muddy Run, Tucquan Glen, Pequea Creek, Jellystone and White Oak. Each facility has features unique to its location, and you can find fun swimming, hiking, boating or just relaxing.

Quarryville Region

(Quarryville, Bart, Atglen, Christiana, Georgetown, Nickel Mines)

Quarryville is a bustling area with a busy center of town. The areas surrounding Quarryville are home to great Amish run stores, Spring mud sales and family style restaurants. Atglen and Christiana are small communities with great libraries and small businesses. Georgetown features two great restaurants.

Things to Do

Tanglewood Manor Golf Club is just outside of Quarryville and features a beautiful golf course nestled quietly off the main road. The Solanco Fair and Parade are the main events of the year in Quarryville, which happen in mid September every year. The Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce also puts on a Christmas Tree Lighting every December that is free.

Huffnagle Summer Music Fest
Miss Solanco Pageant
Southern End Community Association (pool & recreation)

Where to Eat

Right in Quarryville, you’ll find family style dining at C.R. Lapp’s Family Restaurant and Quarryville Family Restaurant, as well as The Daily Grind. Just outside of town, you can enjoy a meal and beer at The Historic Bullfrog Inn, or grab lunch at the Hometown Kitchen in Georgetown.

Where to Stay

Stay at White Oak Campground for a relaxing weekend in your tent or camper. If you want lots of activity, check out Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp-Resort for a pool, water zone, hot tubs, laser tag, escape rooms, mini golf and more!

Circle M Campground

Where to Shop

Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard features a great shop with wine and other local gifts and is located just outside of Quarryville. Right in Quarryville, Good’s Store offers a variety of clothing, housewares and local novelties. Nickel Mines Health Foods will keep you stocked up on home remedies, books and organic and local food.

River Hills Region

(Conestoga, Millersville, Safe Harbor, Washington Boro, Pequea)

Conestoga, Safe Harbor, Pequea and Washington Boro all sit along the Susquehanna River. Millersville sits just inside these towns and is home to Millersville University. This region is very spread out featuring hiking, boating and deep roots of Native American history. You will find a several places to eat in Millersville, and there are some gems situated through the rest of the area. The drive through Safe Harbor is like a fairytale, full of trees, deer and the bustling Conestoga River.

Things to Do

The famous Washington Boro Tomato Festival happens every July over two weekends, and in September, there is a car show that closes down Main Street in Conestoga. You can take in some hiking at Silver Mines Park or Safe Harbor Dam. Shenk’s Ferry Nature Preserve is beautiful in the spring, summer and fall for hiking, and in the spring, you will see an abundance of flowers in bloom.

Where to Eat

Millersville offers Jack’s Family Tavern, and in Conestoga, you will find the Conestoga Wagon Restaurant. Central Manor Bakery and Grille, lovingly known by the locals as “The Mart,” can be found just outside Washington Boro. In Pequea, you will find the Frogtown Cafe, which offers great food and beer.

Join the Lancaster County Ice Cream Trail!

Where to Stay

Pequea Creek Campground is situated along the Pequea Creek, which connects to the Susquehanna River, and you can drop your kayak or canoe right in the Creek from the camping area.

If you're planning a visit to Lancaster, you'll love staying at Blue Rock Bed and Breakfast. The rooms are really spacious and have balconies that look out over a stunning backyard. Children and pets are welcome. Conveniently located between the city and the river, Blue Rock Bed & Breakfast makes it the perfect place to call home when you are visiting Lancaster.

Where to Shop

In Conestoga, you will find Gather, a boutique style shop in a cottage behind the Conestoga Wagon, as well as Tudbink’s Farm, a greenhouse.

Robert Fulton Region

(Buck, Drumore, Peach Bottom, Holtwood, Rawlinsville)

In the southernmost part of the Southern End, you will find hiking trails, rich history and Buck Motorsports Park. The Pinnacle Overlook is a beautiful, short hike to a view of the Susquehanna River. In Peach Bottom, you’ll find some great little shops, and there are annual spring mud sales at Rawlinsville and Robert Fulton fire companies.

Things to Do

Buck Motorsports Park is the place to be on a Saturday night in the Southern End; here you can see monster trucks, tractors pulls and demolition derbies. The Southern Lancaster County Historical Society if full of stories and pictures to help you learn about the area. Kelly’s Run, Susquehannock State Park and Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve are just a few of the great hiking opportunities in this area.

Where to Eat

Rawlinsville Hotel Restaurant and Bar offers delicious food and beer, and Melissa’s Country Grille has down home cooking you will love. Papa Joe’s and Dolce Vita are great pizza places heading out of the Buck area towards Peach Bottom.

Where to Stay

Old Forge Recreation Park is a quiet retreat for camping featuring a fishing pond and a pool, cottage rentals. Tucquan Park Family Campground offer hiking, swimming and fishing, as well. Muddy Run Park features camping, an Observatory with activities, fishing, boating and more.

Where to Shop

Peach Bottom Consignment Shop is right in the heart of Peach Bottom featuring quality used goods at great prices, and it is situated next to Solanco Market, which offers holistic goods and a grocery store. Puttzin’ and Blue Gate Pickens are in Holtwood, and if you are in the mood to shop antiques and collectibles, you could spend hours wandering around.

Events Calendar

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