National Historic Site

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Northeast

About Allegheny Portage Railroad

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Designation: National Historic Site
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Allegheny Portage Railroad.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon: Sunrise to Sunset
Tue: Sunrise to Sunset
Wed: Sunrise to Sunset
Thu: Sunrise to Sunset
Fri: Sunrise to Sunset
Sat: Sunrise to Sunset
Sun: Sunrise to Sunset

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.

Weather and when to go

The park is located in Cambria County, PA, and is at the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. Therefore, the park often takes on winter extremes. If planning on traveling from a long distance, please contact the park beforehand to ensure that the facilities are open. Please consult weather forecasts to ensure conditions are safe to travel in. Spring, summer, and fall are generally uneventful, but severe thunderstorms can occur.

Getting there

The park is located just off U.S. Route 22 approximately 12 miles west of Altoona and 10 miles east of Ebensburg. Take the Gallitzin Exit and turn right, following the signs. Visitors prior to 1992 accessed the park in other ways, but the Gallitzin Exit of US Route 22 is the way to access the visitor center and historic area.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin, PA 16641
Phone: (814) 886-6150
Email: alpo_interpretation@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/alpo

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Allegheny Portage Railroad

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Allegheny Portage Railroad

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Summer Programs

Cultural Demonstrations · about 45 min

Costumed rangers conduct a variety of program offerings throughout the summer season.
Living History Day

Cultural Demonstrations · about 45 min

This all day, family-friendly, living history event is free and has programs and demonstrations to offer visitors of all ages.
Evening on the Summit

Arts and Culture · about 45 min

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

Hiking · about 45 min · Reservation required

Heritage Hikes are led by a park ranger during the summer months. The distance varies by hike. Reservations are required.
Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour · about 45 min · Reservation required

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…
Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

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.
Lemon House

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

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.
Explore the Summit Level Visitor Center

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

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 rail…
Hike or bike to the Staple Bend Tunnel

Hiking · about 2 hours

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 m…