Hershey / Dutch Country Area

Copyright: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks Kings Gap Environmental Education Center

Attractions - History and natural delights intermingle with the hand-plowed farm fields of the Amish and the scent of the Hershey Chocolate Factory. You can visit the birthplace of the only US president from Pennsylvania or enjoy the scenic views of the Susquehanna River and the first bald eagle sanctuary in the world.

Recreation - The Hershey / Dutch Country Area has over 21 locations of recreation destinations ranging from famous hiking trails to environmental education centers, national monuments, state forests and state parks. Learn in-depth about the address that President Lincoln delivered from this region while stepping back into time on the Gettysburg Battlefield. You can view The Soldiers' National Cemetery which contains more than 7,000 interments including over 3,500 from the Civil War. Visit the only place ever called home by President and Mrs. Eisenhower, a 230 acre country estate adjoining the Gettysburg National Military Park. The area offers year-round camping as well as mountain biking and horseback riding. The famous Appalachian Trail travels through this region from Maryland into the Poconos. Seasonal hunting attractions many to the state forests and state parks. These green areas also offer picnicking, good fishing waters and winter sports including cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating and ice fishing.

Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Hershey / Dutch Country Area generally has fairly cold winter months. This lower central area has temperatures averaging above 28 degrees Fahrenheit (above -2 degrees Celsius). The region's average summer temperatures range 72 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 23 Celsius). But don't be surprised by days in the 80's and 90's.

Location - The Hershey / Dutch Country is located in the southeastern area of the state encompassing eight counties. The Laurel Highlands Area rests to the west while Valleys of the Susquehanna and Poconos lie to the north. The eastern border of this region is the most highly populated, the Philadelphia Area. The south side rests on the Maryland state line.