You may be planning a visit to Gettysburg for its history, but don’t miss out on the stunning fruit blossom views just north of town.
If you happen to be in Gettysburg in March or April, trust me—you don’t want to miss a quick detour through the surrounding countryside.
This is when the farmland transforms into a living masterpiece, with vibrant fruit blossoms painting the landscape in bright pinks and white. It’s like Mother Nature herself is putting on a show, just for you.
Best of all? It’s free, unforgettable and guaranteed to leave you in awe. Let’s hit the road and discover this seasonal wonder!
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Don’t want to read until the end? The most spectacular fruit blossom views can be found 8 miles north of Gettysburg on the top of Yellow Hill. The Yellow Hill Road can be accessed from Route 234 or Route 34.
Pro Tip: Want to see the battlefield after taking in the fruit blossom views? I recommend the 2-hour bus tour for a quick overview of the battlefield and explanation of the Battle of Gettysburg.
A Gettysburg Fruit Blossom Spectacle
Why battle the crowds for cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, when you can explore 20,000 acres of vibrant fruit blossoms right here in northern and western Adams County?
Trade the city’s hustle for a leisurely drive along winding country roads that feel plucked from a storybook.
In spring, the countryside near Gettysburg bursts into a stunning patchwork of colorful blooms—a hidden gem that’s one of the area’s best-kept secrets.
Gettysburg is the county seat of Adams County, PA, which is the number one producer of apples in Pennsylvania. Orchards cover tens of thousands of acres in the county, creating a springtime spectacle of color across the rolling hills.
But the orchards of Adams County aren’t just apples. Cherry, peach, pear and plums, each have their own distinctive color and bloom at different times, providing a spectacle that lasts a few weeks.
As you drive, you will discover a rich sea of pink and white, that creates a stunning backdrop.
Go off the beaten path and explore the stunning vistas just 10 minutes from Gettysburg!
When Are The Best Gettysburg Fruit Blossom Views?
Of course, timing is everything and figuring out when you will see the best blossom views depends a great deal on the weather.
Although it varies each year, the first signs of bursting buds begins in late March and the carnival of color continues well into April. Each variety of fruit trees (cherry, apple, peach, plum, apricot) follows its own unique blooming cycle.
Cherry trees are some of the earliest to bloom, but they are followed up by the delicate pinks of peach blossoms and culminate with cottony whites of apple blossoms, providing a few weeks of great viewing opportunities if you’re visiting Gettysburg in the Spring.
Going to Gettysburg? Pick up a copy of the Gettysburg Handbook and Insider Travel Guide!
5 Stunning Gettysburg Fruit Blossom Views
- Yellow Hill: This is a true hidden gem that most people don’t know about and it’s my favorite place for spectacular fruit blossom views. To get to Yellow Hill, you can drive straight through Biglerville on Route 34 and take a left onto the Yellow Hill Road. You can also get to the Yellow Hill Road by taking a left at the Biglerville square onto Route 234, and then taking a right onto Yellow Hill Road.
- Orchard Lane: If you miss the turnoff for Yellow Hill Road on Route 34, you can continue another half mile to the appropriately named Orchard Lane, which will be on your right.
- Quaker Valley Road: This is another option from Route 34. It will be on your left, past Yellow Hill Road.
- Buchanan Valley Road: If you want everyone in your car to ooh and aah, take Route 30 west out of Gettysburg for 12 miles, then turn right onto Buchanan Valley Road (Route 234). This countryside drive takes you through acres of orchards and into the quaint small town of Arendtsville, PA.
- If you want to see Gettysburg fruit blossom views, then the Gettysburg National Military Park Peach Orchard and the Gettysburg National Cemetery are must-sees. Both offer beautiful backdrops for photos.
How Many Pounds Of Apples Does Pennsylvania Produce?
Pennsylvania produces between 400 and 500 million pounds of apples per year.
Quick Route For Gettysburg Fruit Blossom Views
If someone asked me for a quick route to see some great Gettysburg fruit blossom views, here’s the one I would give. It can be done in less than an hour (round trip) from Gettysburg:
Take Carlisle Street out of Gettysburg (Route 34) to Biglerville. Turn left at the second traffic signal and turn right onto University Drive (if you miss this turn you can continue to your next right which is Yellow Hill Road). Wind around on University Drive and then turn Right onto Yellow Hill Road. This winding road will climb up a hill and offers spectacular views. At the stop sign at the end of the road turn right and head back into Gettysburg.
(You will pass Hollabaugh Brothers and Sandoe’s fruit markets on your way back. See below).
Pro Tip: If you have time, you can stop at the National Apple Museum while you’re in Biglerville. Instead of taking a left at the second light, take a left at the first light and go three blocks.
Also, if you want to take a longer scenic drive that includes Yellow Hill, I highly recommend that you take Route 30 west and turn right about 12 miles outside of town onto Buchanan Valley Road (Route 234) (as mentioned above).
The views are stupendous and you will pass the Historic Round Barn and Thirsty Farmer Brew Works, as well as the turn-off to Boyers Cellars and Nursery. (See more details below).
You will also pass Yellow Hill Road on your left and can follow that to the end and then turn right to head back to Gettysburg. It’s less than 15-minute drive from there back to Gettysburg.
Other Important Adams County Agricultural Sites
- National Apple Museum: Learn about the history of the apple and fruit tree industry in Adams County in a pre-Civil War barn. Gift shop. 154 W. Hanover St. Biglerville PA
- Sandoes Fruit Market: Fresh locally grown produce where many locals go. 304 Carlisle Road, Biglerville PA
- Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm & Market: Orchards surround this farm market that includes an in-house scratch bakery. Stop by for an Apple Cider Donut! 545 Carlisle Road, Biglerville PA
- Silvershire Farm Horse Carriage and Wagon Rides: What better way to see blossoms than from a leisurely ride in a horse carriage! 210 Clearview Road, Aspers PA
- Boyer Cellars and Boyer Nurseries: Massive nursery and premiere wine and hard cider tasting room. 405 Boyer Nursery Road, Biglerville PA
- Historic Round Barn: History at its best, with wonderful views of orchards. Plus, it’s a shopping experience! 298 Cashtown Road, Biglerville PA
- Thirsty Farmer Brew Works: Convenient place stop for a drink or a sandwich, located across the road from the Round Barn. Craft brews and cider and miles of orchards. 290 Cashtown Road, Biglerville PA
There are lots of orchards, farms and markets in Adams County, so no matter what time of year you visit, there is always something to see.
Check out this Adams County Blossom Belt map!
Why Are There So Many Orchards Near Gettysburg?
Many people don’t realize how fertile the rolling hills and farmland surrounding Gettysburg are. The landscape becomes even more hilly to the north, and is extremely fertile to the west where South Mountain stands as the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This terrain provides the perfect microclimate and provides fertile well-drained soils to support both fruit trees and vineyards, which are also growing in popularity in the region.
The Blossom Experience in Adams County
If you’re visiting Gettysburg to tour the battlefield or visit one of the many museums, a short trip to orchard country will reward you with spectacular fruit blossom views that will make your trip even more memorable.
There are plenty of hotels in Gettysburg, but you can also find Bed and Breakfasts as well as other unique places to stay outside of town, some of which will take you through the fruit blossom belt.
If your visit to Gettysburg doesn’t line up with the fruit blossoms in full bloom, you can find plenty of other free activities and events at all times of the year.
