Tubing at Sickman’s Mill in Pequea, PA: A Fun Central PA Day Trip

Looking for a fun summer activity in Central Pennsylvania? We recently spent a day tubing at Sickman’s Mill in Pequea, PA, and it gave us a great mix of outdoor adventure, relaxing river time, good food, and plenty of laughs.

If you’re searching for something different to do with family or friends, Sickman’s Mill makes a great summer day trip.

Why We Loved Sickman’s Mill Tubing

Getting started at Sickman’s Mill couldn’t be much easier. You can park near the entrance, grab your tube, and head toward the river. Even better, you don’t have to bring your own tube. Sickman’s Mill provides one, which saves you from trying to fit a bunch of inflatable tubes into your car.

Once we got on the river, we spent about two hours tubing through the area. Some parts felt peaceful and relaxing as we floated along and enjoyed the scenery, while other parts kept us laughing.

The water ran fairly low during our visit, and that created a few unexpected challenges. Every now and then, we found ourselves stuck on rocks and had to work our way free. It added a little chaos to an otherwise relaxing float, but those moments ended up being some of the funniest parts of the day.

That’s one thing we liked about the experience. You get plenty of time to relax, but the river can also keep things interesting.

How Do You Get Back to Your Car?

Sickman’s Mill makes the trip back to your car simple.

After you finish tubing, you reach the take-out area and hand your tube to the workers. From there, you hop on a bus that takes you back to the entrance and parking area.

We appreciated not having to worry about transportation. There’s no carrying tubes back to the car or arranging for someone to pick you up. You simply enjoy the float, return the tube, and let the bus take you back.

Tacos After Tubing? Absolutely!

After spending about two hours on the river, we were ready for something to eat. Luckily, you don’t have to go far.

We stopped at Comalli Taqueria, one of the food spots right at Sickman’s Mill. Most of us ordered the El Jefe steak tacos, and they made a great post-tubing meal.

Having food right there adds another layer of convenience to the experience. You can finish tubing, grab lunch, and relax for a while without having to get back in the car and search for a restaurant.

What About Jimmy’s Juice?

You’ll probably hear about Jimmy’s Juice when you look into Sickman’s Mill. It’s one of the well-known drinks associated with the mill and has become part of the local experience.

We didn’t try it, but visitors who enjoy checking out the local specialties may want to give it a look while they’re there.

For us, the tubing and tacos provided more than enough to make the trip worthwhile.

What Should You Know Before Tubing at Sickman’s Mill?

A tubing trip doesn’t require much planning, but a few tips can help you get the most out of your day:

• You don’t need to bring your own tube. Sickman’s Mill provides one.
• Parking is available near the entrance, so you can leave your car there while you tube.
• Allow around two hours for the float. Your experience may vary depending on river conditions.
• Check water conditions before you go. Lower water can mean more rocks and a few unexpected stops.
• Plan to eat afterward. Comalli Taqueria gives you a convenient option right at the mill.
• Give yourself time to enjoy the area. Tubing doesn’t have to be the only part of your day.

Is Sickman’s Mill Worth Visiting?

We think so!

The entire experience felt easy and relaxed. We didn’t have to worry about bringing tubes, finding transportation back to the car, or searching for somewhere to eat after getting off the river.

The low water gave us a few rocky obstacles, but those moments added to the fun rather than taking away from it. We laughed, enjoyed the scenery, and finished the day with some excellent tacos.

Most importantly, we’d definitely go back again.

A Fun Central PA Summer Day Trip

If you’re searching for things to do in Central PA, outdoor activities near Lancaster, or a fun summer day trip in Pennsylvania, put Sickman’s Mill in Pequea on your list.

It’s a simple way to spend a summer day: float the river, enjoy the scenery, laugh when you inevitably get stuck on a rock, and grab some tacos afterward.

For us, Sickman’s Mill delivered exactly what we wanted from a summer outing—a relaxing afternoon, a little adventure, good food, and memories worth bringing home.