CARLISLE PA – The coldest yet sweetest path through Pennsylvania has officially re-opened. More than 50 creameries across the state, all of which have met criteria to earn the “PA Preferred®” label, are featured this year on “Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail.”
That’s the name for the state’s designated road map of frosty treats, formed in a partnership of the PA Agriculture Department, the PA Tourism Office, and non-profit Center for Dairy Excellence.
Among those on the trail, promoted as making the best ice cream anywhere, is one creamery each in Montgomery and Berks counties, and three in Chester County.
“Scooped” is entering its eighth year of inspiring “Pennsylvania dairy-centered adventures, connecting farm families and ice cream lovers,” the department reports. The 2025 trail “will take visitors all across Pennsylvania to more exciting dairy destinations than ever,” it also proclaims.
“This trail is all about celebrating small, local creameries that pour their hearts into every scoop,” one creamery owner said at a Thursday (May 29, 2025) media gathering to open the trail. “It’s about more than just great ice cream. It’s about helping families connect where their food comes from and create memories that last a lifetime.”
The five area creameries designated as “PA Preferred®” are:
- Merrymead Farm, Lansdale PA (Montgomery County);
- Way-Har Farms, Bernville (Berks County); and
- Bailys Dairy of Pocopson Meadow Farm, West Chester PA; Chester Springs at Milky Way Farm, Chester Springs PA; and Hangry Bear Creamery, Kennett Square PA, (Chester County).
Easily Plan a Flavorful Scooped Trip
Ice Cream Trail travelers can plan their adventures and learn about participating creameries, all online. They also can register for the Scooped app, with which they can accumulate points and win prizes by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Prizes include a commemorative metal tumbler, or an entry into a grand prize drawing to win an overnight getaway in Lancaster County.
With 4,940 dairy farms and 468,000 cows producing 10 billion pounds of milk each year, or about 2,501 gallons per cow, Pennsylvania ranks eighth in milk production nationally. It also ranks sixth in number of dairy cows, second in butter production, third in ice cream and Swiss cheese, and fourth in sour cream.
Its dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs, and supports the state economy by $11.8 billion annually.
Those who embark on the Ice Cream Trail are encouraged to share every sweet stop on their favorite social media pages.
Photos by Emily Damiano provided to Travels With The Post
by the Pennsylvania Agriculture Department
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