The best walks and hikes around Witmer

Mill Creek Camping Area is a peaceful, primitive tent-only campground along Mill Creek in Lancaster’s Central Park, just two miles from downtown. The 10-acre site has five campsites with water spigots, a portable toilet, and access to a clean park restroom open during the day, though no showers are available. Campers can take a short walk to the historic Eshelman Mill Iron Bridge. Camping is open from April 1 to October 31, and you must call or visit the Parks Office to make a reservation.

The Lancaster County Central Park features diverse areas and trails including the Williamson Area with some very nice equestrian trails to the east and the Kiwanis Natural Area running through Mill Creek to the south. There are also some nice features like ball fields, a skate park, and a historic plantation. There are several trails that run through the different areas, some of the main attractions being the CVA Trail on the north side of the park, and the Mill Creek Trail and Conestoga Trail System on the south end of the park. There are many connecting trails, so it's good to have a map of the area and choose your own adventure as you go. It is worth noting that many of the smaller trails are not well marked, so it can be a little easy to get turned around if you don't know the area that well. There is parking at several entrances, but If you want to do a full park loop, it's best to start here at the parking area off Rockford Road and work your way south through the park.

This is the Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge, one of the many covered bridges in Lancaster County. This 94-foot bridge was built in 1876 and runs over Mill Creek.

At this junction, you can continue along the Blue Trail for a full loop that runs through a couple small bridge crossings, or follow the Yellow Trail for a shorter loop.

This house was built in 1920 by Henry Boettcher, a German architectural draftsman who helped design many buildings in Lancaster. It is a beautiful landmark, and is now used as a nature center within Landis Woods. There is parking here, and it also serves as the site for the Landis Woods Nature Preschool.

Landis Woods is an almost 70-acre wooded area with a few very accessible and family-friendly trails. There is one main perimeter loop (Blue Trail) and a couple shorter nature walks as well. There is signage with information on local wildlife, flora and fauna throughout the trails. There is parking at the Boettcher House or along Meadow Lane and there are picnic areas throughout the park.

This welcome center is located on the top level of the Rock Ford Barn and has restrooms and a gallery: The John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts. It is a great place for a pit stop or to swing in as you check out the historic plantation.

Historic Rock Ford, situated in southeastern Lancaster, Pennsylvania, encompasses the General Edward Hand Mansion and the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts. Dating back to colonial times, this historic site offers insights into the region's heritage and early American life.