Commonwealth Media Services / Grace Dunigan with the state Department of Agriculture enjoys some ice cream at Lapp Valley Creamery.

The state Department of Agriculture and the state Tourism Office recently launched the 2026 Scooped Ice Cream Trail during a visit to Lapp Valley Creamery in New Holland, Lancaster County.

“Year after year, the Ice Cream Trail reminds us of what makes Pennsylvania agriculture so special: the people behind it,” said state Ag Secretary Russell Redding. “These farm families are up before dawn, working hard every day to bring fresh, local dairy to your cone. Every scoop you enjoy on this trail is a direct investment in Pennsylvania’s farms and the communities that depend on them.”

Now in its ninth year, the ice cream trail invites visitors and local residents alike to scoop up a great summer.

This year, the trail features 59 participating PA Preferred creameries including the return of Hall’s Ice Cream, rejoining the trail this season.

From working dairy farms where visitors can meet the cows to artisan micro creameries crafting bold, rotating flavors, the 2026 lineup offers something for every kind of ice cream adventurer across all corners of the Commonwealth.

“The Ice Cream Trail is economic development you can taste. When a family stops at a creamery in a small Pennsylvania town, they’re not just buying a delicious treat. They’re supporting a local business, a farm family, and a community,” said Kaitie Burger, executive director of the state Tourism Office.

Lapp Valley Creamery, located in New Holland, was a fitting host for the 2026 kickoff, organizers said. The farm-to-cone experience invites visitors to meet friendly farm animals, feed calves and learn about the benefits of A2 milk, all while enjoying handcrafted ice cream made from the farm’s own herd. It’s the kind of immersive, hands-on dairy experience that defines what the Ice Cream Trail is all about.

“Being part of the Scooped Ice Cream Trail helps us do what we value most at Lapp Valley Creamery — welcome families to the farm and connect them with real dairy farming,” said owner Dave Lapp. “It gives us a way to share our story, our cows and our homemade ice cream all in one stop, and to be a part of the larger experience that celebrates local agriculture across Pennsylvania.”

Travelers can plan their 2026 Ice Cream Trail adventure, explore participating creameries, and sign up for free at visitpa.com/scooped. The digital passport rewards dedicated dairy lovers with points for every stop and purchase made between now and Sept. 7. Prizes include:

A commemorative insulated bag if you visit a total of 6 stops on the trail;

An entry into the grand prize drawing for a Merrymead Farm Family Experience and overnight stay at Normandy Farms if you complete a total of 10 stops;

Both the insulated bag and a grand prize entry if you complete 16 stops.

This year, 17 participating creameries are also offering exclusive trail discounts from 10% off at Destiny Dairy Bar and Batch Microcreamery, to buy-one-get-one soft serve at The Milkhouse at Oregon Dairy, and 25% off pints at Fox Meadows Creamery locations.

“The Scooped Ice Cream Trail connects consumers directly to PA dairy farm families, giving them a firsthand look at the commitment these families have for their animals, land, and local communities,” said Emily Barge, communications and marketing manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “When people visit a farm, try the ice cream, and talk to the family who made it, it allows them to personally connect with Pennsylvania dairy and where their food comes from.”

With 4,940 dairy farms and 468,000 cows producing 10 billion pounds of milk each year — about 2,501 gallons per cow — Pennsylvania ranks eighth in milk production nationally. Pennsylvania’s dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs and supports our state economy to the tune of $11.8 billion annually. Pennsylvania also ranks sixth in number of dairy cows, second in butter production, third in ice cream and Swiss cheese, and fourth in sour cream.