National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Northeast

About Johnstown Flood

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together to aid the "Johnstown sufferers." The story of the Johnstown Flood reminds us all, "...that we must leave nothing undone for the preservation and protection of our brother men."

From the National Park Service.

Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Designation: National Memorial
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 Johnstown Flood.

Entrance fees

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

Hours

Mon: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tue: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wed: Closed
Thu: Closed
Fri: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sun: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Hours of Operations 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. Park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. "All Park Hours" reflects the hours of operation for the Visitor Center.

Weather and when to go

Winters can be cold and severe. Spring can be seasonable and wet. Summer can be hot with potentials for thunderstorms. Fall can be seasonal, with cold temperatures into October and November.

Getting there

Take US Route 219 to the St Michael/Sidman exit. At the end of the exit ramp head East on PA 869 (there is a park sign at the end of the exit ramp). Travel approximately 1.5 miles on PA 869 watching for a left turn onto Lake Road at the sign for Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Follow Lake Road 1.5 miles until the visitor center appears on your right. Please park safely in the designated parking lot and not block any emergency access roads.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 733 Lake Road, South Fork, PA 15956
Phone: (814) 886-6171
Email: jofl_interpretation@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/jofl

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 Johnstown Flood

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 Johnstown Flood

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

May 31 Anniversary

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

Monday, May 31, 2027, is the 138th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
Path of the Flood Van Tours

Guided Tours · about 45 min · Reservation required

Ranger-guided Path of the Flood van tours are a great way to learn about the destructive force of the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
Hike with a ranger through the ruins of the South Fork Dam

Guided Tours · about 45 min

Join a Park Ranger for an interpretive walk that will take you to the bottom of the dam, through the breach and back out on the other side. This program is offered through the sum…
Club House and Cottage Row Walking Tours

Guided Tours · about 45 min · Reservation required

Club House and Cottage Row Walking Tours are part of our programming for the anniversary of the 1889 Johnstown Flood.
Attend an Evening on the Lake Presentation

Guided Tours · about 45 min

Evening on the Lake presentations are on select Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during the summer months.
Attend a Tales of the Great Flood Presentation

Guided Tours · about 45 min

Tales of the Great Flood cover a wide variety of topics relating to the Johnstown Flood.
Learn about the Johnstown Flood in the Visitor Center

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

The Visitor Center and has two floors of exhibits and a park film. Visitors will learn about the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
View the park film "Black Friday."

Park Film · about 45 min

The park film "Black Friday" is 35 minutes in length. It is shown at 15 minutes past the hour (9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15). "Black Friday" is rated PG (pare…
Visit the remains of the South Fork Dam

Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 45 min

Visitors can access the North and South Abutments on the remains of the South Fork Dam.