Pennsylvania is home to the largest Amish population in America - over 95,000 Amish people living in 63+ settlements across the Keystone State. Trying to do one post about the Amish in Pennsylvania is like trying to do one post about spaghetti in Italy. It is near impossible. Still, I'm trying to pull together a decent post. I will say, it's far, far easier to put together an Amish state guide to Mississippi (only one Amish settlement!) than it is to try to pull together something brief and readable for Pennsylvania. In fact, well, maybe I shouldn't have this Pennsylvania post be long at all! See the title: Where are the Amish in Pennsylvania? Answer: everywhere. That's it, done, moving on. SIGH, just kidding, I won't end it there, but it is tempting and that would be accurate.
While most people immediately think of Lancaster County when they hear "Amish," Pennsylvania's Amish communities stretch from the eastern farmlands to the western hills, each offering unique cultural experiences and traditions and that is the challenge when trying to piece together a guide like this.
Over the years, I have sampled many Pennsylvania Amish communities from Somerset County and Fredonia in the west to Lancaster County and the Poconos in the East. Lancaster County is an "Amish wonderland" that makes its large size work, but there are plenty of other much smaller, charming Amish outposts to visit.
This comprehensive guide will help you discover where to find authentic Amish communities throughout Pennsylvania, from the world-famous Lancaster settlement to hidden gems in rural counties.
Jump to:
🚗 Lancaster County - The Heartland
Population: Over 43,600 Amish (largest settlement in the world!)
Founded: 1760 (oldest continuous Amish settlement)
Church Districts: 250+
Counties Spanned: Lancaster, Chester, Berks, plus parts of Cecil County, Maryland
Lancaster County is where the American Amish story begins. This sprawling settlement isn't just in Lancaster County - it extends into neighboring counties and even crosses into Maryland. What makes Lancaster special is its gray-topped buggies - if you see these distinctive gray buggies anywhere else in America, that community has Lancaster County roots. And there are plenty of non-Amish attractions: outlet malls, restaurants, and, ah, we can't forget Dutch Wonderland!
Key Towns & Areas:
- Strasburg - Historic railroad town with Amish farmhouses
- Intercourse - Heart of Amish tourism (yes, that's really the name!)
- Bird-in-Hand - Classic Amish countryside with business's like Bird-in-Hand Farm Supply and Zook's Roadside Stand. And it was near here that I did a ride with Aaron and Jessica's buggy rides.
- Paradise - Rural Amish farming area
- Ronks - Tourist hub with authentic experiences like Dutch Haven and their shoofly pie!
What Makes Lancaster Unique:
- All church districts belong to the same affiliation (they cooperate religiously)
- More conservative Amish live in the southern half of the county.
- Heavy tourism but still authentic farming community
- Old Order Mennonites also live here (black-topped buggies, not gray)
- Most visited Amish community in the world
Best Experiences:
- Backroad buggy tours through working farms
- Amish-operated farmers markets (Central Market in Lancaster city)
- Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants
- Authentic farm stays and bed & breakfasts
🌄 Big Valley (Mifflin County) - Three Distinct Groups
Population: Over 3,900 Amish
Founded: 1791 (third-oldest surviving settlement)
Location: Kishacoquillas Valley, central Pennsylvania Valley Length: 30 miles long, 5 miles wide
Big Valley is absolutely unique in the Amish world - it's home to three completely different Amish groups, each easily identified by their buggy colors:
The Three Groups:
🤍 Nebraska Amish (White-Topped Buggies)
- Largest and most conservative group
- Among the most traditional Amish anywhere
- Fastest growing community in the valley
⚫ Renno Amish (Black-Topped Buggies)
- Traditional Old Order practices
- Middle ground between the other two groups
💛 Byler Amish (Yellow-Topped Buggies)
- Smallest and most progressive of the three
- Allow some modern conveniences the others don't
Key Towns:
- Belleville - Commercial center, famous Wednesday livestock auction
- Reedsville - Market town
- Allensville - Western end of the valley
Must-Do Experience: The Belleville Livestock Auction every Wednesday morning is legendary! Farmers and buyers come from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. It's one of the best places to see all three Amish groups interacting together.
⛰️ Western Pennsylvania Communities
New Wilmington & Lawrence County
Population: 2,500+ Amish
Founded: 1847 (only surviving 19th-century Pennsylvania settlement)
Buggy Style: Traditional black
This conservative community has fascinating origins in Big Valley - early settlers actually walked 250 miles from Big Valley to establish this settlement, a journey taking 5-6 days! "Byler" is the most common surname here, reflecting those Big Valley roots.
Towns: New Wilmington, Volant Highlights: Westminster College nearby, Underground Railroad history
Smicksburg & Indiana County
Population: 3,300+ Amish (Pennsylvania's third-largest settlement) Founded: 1962
Buggy Style: Midwestern-style black buggies
This newer community reflects westward Amish migration patterns. The black buggies here look different from eastern Pennsylvania styles - they're more like what you'd see in Ohio or Indiana.
Business Hub: Smicksburg has numerous Amish-owned shops and restaurants Agriculture: Heavy farming focus with some tourism
🏔️ Somerset County - Second Oldest in America
Population: Small but historically significant
Founded: 1772 (second-oldest Amish settlement worldwide!)
Status: One of the most important Amish communities historically
While much smaller than Lancaster or Big Valley, Somerset County holds special significance as the second-oldest surviving Amish settlement in the world. Many other Pennsylvania communities trace their origins back to families who lived here.
🌾 Other Notable Pennsylvania Settlements
Pennsylvania has 60+ other Amish settlements scattered throughout the state! Here are some significant ones:
Crawford County (Northwestern PA)
- Atlantic Community: 1,310 Amish
- Spartansburg Community: 2,695 Amish
- Linesville Community: 420 Amish
Clearfield County (Central PA)
- Troutville Community: 2,730 Amish (one of the state's largest)
Mercer County (Western PA)
- Six full or partial Amish communities
- Works closely with neighboring Lawrence County settlements
Smaller Settlements Throughout PA:
Many counties have newer, smaller settlements with just one or two church districts. These represent the ongoing growth and expansion of Pennsylvania's Amish population.
Counties with Amish presence include:
- Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Columbia, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lycoming, McKean, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York
🛍️ Best Amish Markets & Stores by Region
I have to admit that this section seems almost impossible. There are so many amazing Amish businesses in Pennsylvania and I won't even attempt to say that I am capturing them all here. If you have one for me to add, send me a note and I'll happily do so. I'm kind of patching together this section with links and lists.
Lancaster County
I am working on a full Amish business guide to Lancaster County, like I have for some other communities, so as soon as I have that up, I will link to it...there are guides online...but I just want to put together something authentic, granular, and helpful and that takes time. Trying to list just a few highlights of Lancaster County is like trying to list three pieces of favorite candy at Willy Wonka's factory. Not possible. But a few favorites are below:
- Central Market (Lancaster) - Historic farmers market, Fridays & Saturdays
- Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market - Thursday-Saturday, authentic Amish vendors
- Root's Country Market (Manheim) - Massive Tuesday market
- Shady Maple Farm Market - East Earl, enormous Amish grocery
Big Valley/Mifflin County
- Belleville Produce Auction - Wednesdays, fresh produce & plants
- Big Valley Bulk Foods - Reedsville, classic Amish store
- Peachey's Bakery - Belleville, traditional baked goods
Western Pennsylvania
I put together a list of Amish businesses for New Wilmington, which you can check out here.
And check out your guide to Smicksburg Amish businesses here!
🎯 Planning Your Pennsylvania Amish Visit
Best Times to Visit:
- Spring (April-May): Beautiful farmland, fewer crowds, mud sales
- Summer (June-August): Peak growing season, all attractions open
- Fall (September-October): Harvest time, gorgeous countryside
- Winter: Fewer tourists, cozy indoor markets
Transportation Tips:
- Rent a car for maximum flexibility exploring backroads
- Stay alert for horse-drawn buggies, especially at dawn/dusk
- Drive slowly on country roads - 25-35 mph is appropriate
- Pull over safely to let buggies pass when needed
Respectful Visiting:
- No photos of Amish individuals without permission
- Purchase from Amish businesses to support the community
- Drive courteously around buggies - they have right of way
- Respect Sunday as a day of worship (most businesses closed)
Multi-Day Itinerary Ideas:
Classic Pennsylvania Amish Tour (4-5 days):
- Day 1-2: Lancaster County exploration
- Day 3: Big Valley livestock auction and scenic drives
- Day 4: Western PA communities (New Wilmington/Smicksburg)
- Day 5: Somerset County historical sites
Hidden Gems Tour (3-4 days):
- Focus on lesser-known settlements in Crawford, Clearfield, and other rural counties
- More authentic, less touristy experience
- Better deals on Amish-made goods
Where to Stay:
- Lancaster area: Hundreds of hotels, B&Bs, and farm stays
- Big Valley: Limited but charming local inns and B&Bs
- Western PA: Small-town accommodations, very affordable
Pennsylvania truly offers the most diverse and extensive Amish experience in America. From the bustling tourism of Lancaster County to the quiet authenticity of remote settlements, you'll find Amish communities preserving centuries-old traditions while adapting thoughtfully to modern challenges.
Whether you're interested in history, craftsmanship, agriculture, or simply experiencing a slower pace of life, Pennsylvania's Amish communities welcome respectful visitors with warm hospitality and incredible handmade goods.
Have you visited any of Pennsylvania's Amish communities? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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