The White Cliffs of Conoy - Bainbridge, PA
I know many people do not think about Pennsylvania as the most exciting state to visit. I mean really, how many people do you hear say, “I am eloping to Pennsylvania” or “I am going on vacation to Pennsylvania”??? My main goal is to convince you of all the beauty this state has to offer. Whether I convince you to the point of eloping or to visit the state - I will have accomplished my goal.
On the edge of the Lancaster county border you can find this hidden gem right along the Susquehanna river. The White Cliffs of Conoy are a MUST SEE when in Lancaster county, however, there is no quick way of getting there. When visiting the cliffs, I recommend parking at the Koser Park (107 Race St. Bainbridge, PA 17502). The cliffs are just about a 1.5 mile hike from the parking lot but do not let this discourage you! Trust me when I tell you it’s worth it! The 14 mile trail is paved and travels right along the Susquehanna river. There are train tracks to your left and woods and the river to your right. Even on a hot, sunny day, the woods along the trail provide you with shade and a nice cool breeze. The paved trail is also great for bikes so if you do not feel like walking the 1.5 miles, you could always bring your bike along. While on your way to the cliffs you can expect to see some stone ruins, beautiful scenery, and posts explaining some history about the area. If you are planning to visit the White Cliffs of Conoy I would highly recommend going on a week day - weekends tend to get pretty busy there. I especially recommend this if you are a photographer or a content producer.
So how do you know if you’ve reached the White Cliffs of Conoy? Well, the simple answer would be to GPS it. If you do not have your phone for any reason, no need to panic. The trail has very clear signs showing you when you’ve arrived. There are several ways to access the cliffs. There is, for simplicity, a main entrance and side entrances. The side entrances are more wooded paths to the cliffs while the main entrance has a larger, more open path to the cliffs. One of the side entrances will get you to the smaller cliff (at least to me it appears smaller). The main entrance also provides bike racks for those traveling on their bikes. Once you walk onto the cliffs you will be able to absorb the beautiful view of the Susquehanna.
Some things to keep in mind: if you are traveling with small children please make sure to keep an eye on them at all times! The cliffs do not have any type of fencing around them so please stay clear from the edge. There are ways climb down the cliffs but please be careful - they can be slippery. Once you make it down, enjoy the view from below and if you want, dip your toes in the river to cool off.
