The first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the final piece of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. "The Portage" opened in 1834, marking the first time that there was one, direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. All things to all people, it served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War.

Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter and the Lemon House

Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter

Lemon House tavern

Summit Level Visitor Center

Boardwalk to the historic area

Staple Bend Tunnel

Skew Arch Bridge

The Visitor Center bookstore offers a variety of items for sale.

The theater features a 20 minute park movie.

Barrels and crates in the Visitor Center show items that traveled on the Main Line Canal.

Allegheny Portage Railroad

The Visitor Center, Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter and the Lemon House are closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Buildings are open Fridays through Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.

Park buildings are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Times listed in "All Park Hours" reflect building operations.

Thanksgiving Closure

Christmas Day Closure

New Year's Day Closure

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Cultural Demonstrations

Two rangers in period clothing doing a rope making demonstration.

Living History Day

Please check back for a future Living History Day date! This all day, family-friendly, living history event is free and has programs and demonstrations to offer visitors of all ages. These include stone cutting, rope making, natural dyes, spinning, traveling trunk, children's games, and more! The 2nd Pennsylvania, Company B-American Highlanders from the Mexican War (1846-1848) will tell their stories and perform black powder demonstrations at designated points throughout the day. Visitors will learn what it was like to work and travel on the Allegheny Portage Railroad as well as activities that women were participating in during the 19th century. No reservations are required!

Pets are not allowed in any public building or office except for service animals. Pets are permitted in areas not designated closed to pets provided they are restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times. Pet excrement must be removed from picnic areas, trails, and areas of heavy public use. More information on pets can be found in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alpo/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm">Superintendent's Compendium</a>.

Living History Day is an annual event at the park!

Transportation

Trains and Railroads

Hiking

Heritage Hike

Please check back for 2026 hike dates! Reservations are required for <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alpo/planyourvisit/hikes.htm">Heritage Hikes</a>. The hikes take place rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and bring water. Hike information and dates are listed below. For more information including the meeting location for the different hikes and to make a reservation, please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150. <h3>Summit Level</h3> The Summit Level hike is approximately 3 miles in length from the head of Inclined Plane 6 to near where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville, near the head of Inclined Plane 5. The Summit Level was the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. Participants will learn about the inclines and levels of the railroad, how the system functioned, the town of Summitville, and much more. <h3>Staple Bend Tunnel</h3> This hike takes participants to the first railroad tunnel in America, the Staple Bend Tunnel. On this approximately 5-mile round trip hike, participants will learn about the history of the tunnel, how it was constructed, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and much more! Several features from the days of the railroad, including stone sleepers and culverts, are visible.

Reservations are required! For more information, including the meeting location for the different hikes and to make a reservation, please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150.

Heritage Hikes are led by a park ranger during the summer months. The distance varies by hike. Reservations are required.

Guided Hikes

Arts and Culture

Evening on the Summit programs vary from talks/presentations to musical performances.

A park ranger presents a program in the auditorium.

Evening on the Summit

Evening on the Summit programs are select Tuesday evenings throughout the summer months! Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center auditorium. Programs are free and no reservations are required! Please check back for program descriptions. June 10, 2025 Dr. James Christy. Dr. Christy was a physician on the Allegheny Portage Railroad who worked and died in our area. The program follows the foot print of history to attempt to describe not just a small picture of his life but the times that shaped his life. Being a physician in the 19th century was far and away completely different from the knowledge and technology that we utilize today. He provided the best care regardless of the situation. The program is presented by park volunteer Jim Effinger. July 8, 2025 Charles Dickens' 1842 trip to America. Charles Dickens traveled on the Main Line Canal and Allegheny Portage Railroad 183 years ago in 1842. The program will feature his experience on the canal and railroad, and will also highlight the rest of his trip. This program is presented by Supervisory Park Ranger Doug Bosley. August 5, 2025 Mapping the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The program looks at the effors to re-map the Allegheny Portage Railroad combining historic maps and modern day technics to visualize the historic trace. The program is presented by park volunteer Brandon Sliko. September 16, 2025 The Underground Railroad and Main Line Canal. This program explores the connection between the Underground Railroad and the Main Line Canal. This program is presented by Dr. Barb Zaborowski.

Pets are not allowed in any public building or office except for service animals. For programs taking place in the amphitheaters pets are permitted: Pets are permitted in areas not designated closed to pets provided they are restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times. Pet excrement must be removed from picnic areas, trails, and areas of heavy public use. More information on pets can be found in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alpo/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm">Superintendent's Compendium</a>.

Attend an Evening on the Summit program select Tuesday evenings during the summer months.

Engineering

Infantry and Militia

Mountains

Canals

Mexican War

Living History

There are no fees for entrance at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. 

Tools used to build the railroad

Ranger programs end for the season on September 1, 2025. Costumed rangers conduct a variety of program offerings that vary from day to day. Programs are generally held between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the morning and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. The programs are weather and staff dependent. For additional information and to find out what program is offered on the day of your visit, please inquire at the Visitor Center or call 814-886-6150. No reservations are required!

Pets are not allowed in any public building or office except for service animals. Pets are permitted in areas not designated closed to pets provided they are restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times. Pet excrement must be removed from picnic areas, trails, and areas of heavy public use. More information on pets can be found in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alpo/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm">Superintendent's Compendium</a>.

No reservations are required for the daily programs. 

Costumed rangers conduct a variety of program offerings throughout the summer months and end on September 1, 2025.

Daily Programs

Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour

Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tour

Please check back for 2026 van tour dates! Travel back in time with a park ranger on a free van tour of the historic route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This tour follows the entire route of the Portage Railroad from the canal basin in Hollidaysburg to the canal basin in Johnstown. Visitors will learn how this engineering marvel was built and hear the compelling stories of the men and women who built and operated what was the most important route westward from 1834 to 1857. In many places the route will follow the exact path of the old Portage Railroad and will take visitors to the Staple Bend Tunnel. In addition, the tour will take passengers past the Skew Arch Bridge, the reconstruction of Engine House No. 6, the historic Lemon House, and several historic culverts.   This free tour begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site Visitor Center. The tour is four hours in length. Space is limited to twelve people and reservations are required. <h4>Please note!</h4> The tour takes place in a 15-passenger van. Personal space may be limited depending on the number of participants signed up. Please note that maneuvering on and off the van may be difficult. Accommodations for children under the age of eight cannot be made due to Pennsylvania law. The child safety law states that children eight years of age and under must be in an appropriate booster seat. Please be advised that because we cannot ensure that car seats are properly and safely installed on the vans and/or the bus, we cannot accommodate them on van tours. If a child arrived at the park in a car seat, they must always be in a car seat, while in a motorized vehicle. No allowances will be made for "holding" children while on a van tour. Thank you for your understanding! Accommodations for children under the age of eight cannot be made due to Pennsylvania law. The child safety law states that children eight years of age and under must be in an appropriate booster seat. Please be advised that because we cannot ensure that car seats are properly and safely installed on the vans and/or the bus, we cannot accommodate them on van tours. If a child arrived at the park in a car seat, they must always be in a car seat, while in a motorized vehicle. No allowances will be made for "holding" children while on a van tour. Thank you for your understanding!

Reservations are required due to limited space!

Please check back for 2026 van tour dates!

Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

Museum Exhibits

Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter is accessed either by walking along the boardwalk or the old Gallitzin Road from the Visitor Center. Hours of Operation Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The building is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. At the top of each inclined plane along the Allegheny Portage Railroad sat an Engine House structure. Inside were the mechanisms and gears required to pull passengers and goods over the Allegheny Mountains. A stationary steam engine pulled the train cars attached to hemp ropes and later John Roebling's wire rope.  Visitors to Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter can view full scale models of the mechanisms that would have originally been in all ten Engine House structures. The models were built by Fred Connacher. Original foundation stones are also viewable. You will also learn about steam engines, the two types of rope used on the railroad, and much more!

Visitors to Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter can view full scale models of the mechanisms that would have originally been in all ten Engine House structures.

The Engine House is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays and open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lemon House

Lemon House hours: The Lemon House is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Lemon House is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park grounds and trails are open daily, year round, from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. The Lemon House is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Lemon House tavern, built by Sam and Jean Lemon in the early 1830s, was a stop along the Allegheny Portage Railroad for travelers to rest and eat. It also provided a chance for travelers to converse with others to find out what the next part of the journey might be like from those who just experienced it. The typical length of stay in the Lemon House was 20 minutes. The Lemon family and staff occupied the second floor of the Lemon House as well as the occasional travelers who needed a place to sleep as a result of delays or accidents on the Allegheny Portage Railroad.  The Lemon House has been restored to an 1840s style tavern. Visitors can tour the first floor of the tavern which includes; a barroom, fancy parlor, dining room, and exhibit room.  A self-guided brochure is available inside to provide additional information.

The Lemon House tavern, built by Sam and Jean Lemon in the early 1830s, was a stop along the Allegheny Portage Railroad for travelers to rest and eat.

The Lemon House is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Winter Hours of Operation The Visitor Center is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays and open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Allegheny Portage Railroad, part of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, was the first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains.  The different sections of the Visitor Center: Desk and store The park bookstore is located near the Visitor Center entrance doors.  The front desk scene is made to look like a 19th century shipping office. Park staff is available at the desk to provide information. Innovation Learn about the different pieces of the Main Line Canal and how the Allegheny Portage Railroad fits into the system as a whole. A model, made by park volunteer Fred Connacher, shows the elements on site at the Summit Level including the Lemon House, Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter and the Skew Arch Bridge.  Technology of Travel, 1820-1860 Several models, from sectional canal boats to passenger cars, show the canal boats and railroad cars used on the Main Line Canal. Mr. Connacher also made many of these models. A full scale model of the LaFayette shows what a steam engine would have looked like. This particular model was on display at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Immersive Canal Boat Come aboard a section canal boat! You can experience what the crew section of a canal boat would have been like. Visitors can walk onto the stern of the boat and turn the rudder, which would have helped to steer the canal boat. You may also hear from sounds from the canal in the form of mules and music! Conduit for Commerce, Travel and Escape This section provides information on the people and places associated with this transportation system. Many enslaved persons used the Main Line Canal to freedom. Philadelphia had an important part to play in the Underground Railroad. Visitors can learn about Jacob Green, who escaped from a plantation in Virginia and used the Allegheny Portage Railroad to aid him on his journey. Barrels and crates All around the canal boat and placed in various other places around the Visitor Center, are crates and barrels showing the different items that were shipped on the Main Line Canal.

The Visitor Center has exhibits and a 20-minute park movie that is shown upon request. The Allegheny Portage Railroad, part of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, was the first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains.

The Visitor Center is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Visitor Center is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Explore the Summit Level Visitor Center

Junior Ranger Program

Junior Ranger badge

Children can participate in the Junior Ranger program! Ask at the information desk in the Summit Level Visitor Center for a copy of the park Junior Ranger book for a fun guide to the story of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. Answers to the fun activities are available in the Summit Level Visitor Center, the Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter, the Lemon House, along the park trails, and/or even by assisting with a historic demonstration. This program is intended to be completed on-site, in person. There are activities in the book that can only be completed if you've gone through our Visitor Center and park buildings in person. While we are excited to have you complete them and earn the badge, we will not be sending workbooks or badges out through the mail.

The Junior Ranger program is available in the Visitor Center. Ask the Ranger on duty for a booklet. The number of activities required is based on age. Upon completion of the booklet, participants will earn a Junior Ranger badge!

Participate in the Junior Ranger program!

The Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in America, can be accessed from the trailhead on Beech Hill Road in Mineral Point. Visitors can hike or bike approximately two miles each way to the 901 foot long tunnel following the old railroad bed. This section is also part of the Path of the Flood Trail as you parallel the Little Conemaugh River towards Johnstown. Visitors can imagine what it would have been like to travel on this important transportation. Interpretive panels help tell the story of the Main Line Canal, Allegheny Portage Railroad, the tunnel and the workers who blasted through the Allegheny Mountains.  Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note, there is no winter maintenance on the trail.

The Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in America, can be accessed from the trailhead on Beech Hill Road in Mineral Point. Visitors can hike or bike approximately two miles each way to the 901 foot long tunnel following the old railroad bed.

Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note, there is no winter trail maintenance. 

Hike or bike to the Staple Bend Tunnel

Two people on a rugged section of the trail

Inclines 6-10 Trail

The Inclines 6 to 10 Trail follows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hiking sections of the trail are located on or near the original route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The bicycle section is located on the route of the New Portage Railroad. Trailheads are located at the park Visitor Center and along Dry Run Road in Duncansville. Parking is available at the trailheads as well as State Gamelands parking lots. The entire Inclines 6 to 10 Trail is about 10 miles long. Bicycles are not permitted on the section of trail from the Visitor Center to the Muleshoe. This is for hiking only and is very steep and rugged. The section from Muleshoe to Foot of Ten has a limestone dust surface and can be used by bicyclists. Please visit our website for a map of the trail.  Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Inclines 6 to 10 Trail follows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hiking sections of the trail are located on or near the original route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The bicycle section is located on the route of the New Portage Railroad. Sections of this trail are very steep and rugged.

Hike the Inclines 6 to 10 Trail

Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Summit Level Visitor Center bookstore

The bookstore at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is operated by America's National Parks and is located in the Visitor Center. It contains books about the Allegheny Portage Railroad, t-shirts, coffee mugs, pins, patches, magnets, and many other items are available for purchase. Stamps for the Passport To Your National Parks program are available in the bookstore area. Passport regional stickers and passport books are also for sale. For children, there are stuffed animals, games, and more. General National Park Service items are also available. 

The bookstore at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is operated by America's National Parks and is located in the Visitor Center. It contains books about the Allegheny Portage Railroad, t-shirts, coffee mugs, pins, patches, magnets and many other items are available for purchase. Stamps for the Passport To Your National Parks program are available in the bookstore area.

The bookstore is open daily from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM. 

Picnicking

Picnic area

Enjoy lunch in our picnic area! Many picnic tables are available for use. Some are covered by a pavilion. Shade trees provide nice coverage on a hot, sunny day.  The picnic area can be accessed from the Summit Exit on Route 22. Visitors can also walk to the picnic area from the Summit Level.  No reservations are taken for the picnic area. It is first come, first served.  Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The picnic area is first come, first served. 

Enjoy lunch in our picnic area! Many picnic tables are available for use. Some are covered by a pavilion. Shade trees provide nice coverage on a hot, sunny day. 

The picnic area

The Skew Arch Bridge is an original feature of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. It is the only road bridge that was built along the path of the railroad. It was constructed of stone and allowed for Huntington, Cambria and Indiana Turnpike traffic to cross over the railroad. The "skew arch" was designed to accommodate the bend in the turnpike road.  Accessing the Skew Arch Bridge: Visitor can hike down a trail or the mowed incline to access the bridge. The trail is downhill on the way to the bridge and requires hiking up the steep incline on the way back from the bridge.  To drive to the bridge, it is located between the lanes of "old" Route 22 approximately one mile from the Summit Exit "new" US Route 22. There are two parking spots on the traffic island in the middle of old US Route 22. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Skew Arch Bridge is an original feature of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. It is the only road bridge that was built along the path of the railroad. It was constructed of stone and allowed for Huntington, Cambria and Indiana Turnpike traffic to cross over the railroad. The "skew arch" was designed to accommodate the bend in the turnpike road. 

The Skew Arch Bridge

Bridges

Theater

There are no fees for entrance or public activities at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. 

Fred R. Connacher Auditorium

The park movie is 20 minutes in length and is shown upon request in the Visitor Center theater during the building's hours of operation. This presentation gives an orientation to the Main Line Canal and Allegheny Portage Railroad.

The park movie is 20 minutes in length and is shown upon request in the Visitor Center theater during the building's hours of operation.

Watch the park movie

Summit Level

At the bottom of the boardwalk at Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter, visitors are walking along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This section is the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. The Allegheny Portage Railroad had 10 inclined planes and 11 levels. Reproduction railroad tracks are visible along the Summit Level. Walkers can continue following the trace past the Lemon House where the reproduction railroad tracks end. A little over a mile past the Lemon House is the park boundary, but visitors can continue to walk to the end of the Summit Level. In its entirety, it is over 3 miles in length. Interpretive panels provide information about the Summit Level.  The terrain is mostly flat. The trail is a mixture of grassy and dirt surfaces.

Pets are not allowed in any public building or office except for service animals. Pets are permitted in areas not designated closed to pets provided they are restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length or otherwise physically confine a pet at all times. Pet excrement must be removed from picnic areas, trails, and areas of heavy public use. More information on pets can be found in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/alpo/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm">Superintendent's Compendium</a>.

At the bottom of the boardwalk at Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter, visitors are walking along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This section is the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. The Allegheny Portage Railroad had 10 inclined planes and 11 levels.

Allegheny Portage Railroad

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

Living History Day

Description

Guided Hikes

Description

Evening on the Summit

Description

Daily Programs

Description

Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

Description

Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter

Description

More Images