Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Join us on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. for our anniversary Heritage Hike to the Staple Bend Tunnel to celebrate the 192nd anniversary of the Allegheny Portage Railroad! This ranger led hike is free, but reservations are required! Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up!   Hike details: It is approximately 4.5 miles in length. Due to the time of year and uncertain weather, please prepare for snow, ice, mud, rain, roots, and rocks. The hike takes place rain or shine.   Participants will learn about Staple Bend Tunnel construction and how the Allegheny Portage Railroad moved people and goods over the Allegheny Mountains.

Lemon House Tours

2026 program dates:
June 5 to August 30- Fridays through Tuesdays
September- Saturdays and Sundays

Staff dependent, a park ranger is available from 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 to greet visitors and answer questions about the tavern and its operations during the days of the Allegheny Portage Railroad.

No reservations are required.

The Lemon House is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Costumed demonstrations

2026 program dates:
June 5 to August 30- Fridays through Tuesdays
September- Saturdays and Sundays

Costumed rangers conduct a variety of program offerings that vary from day to day. They include stone cutting, rope making and natural dyes. They 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!

Heritage Hike: Staple Bend Tunnel

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.

Please note, the interior of the Staple Bend Tunnel is closed due to a rockfall. Participants will still be able to view both sides of the tunnel via a path around the side of the tunnel structure.

Hollidaysburg Canal Personalities.

Who was Whiskey John? Have you ever heard of Limestone Yank? How about John the Agitator? Or Short & Tall Charlie? Learn about some of the more charismatic and dynamic personalities of the Canal-Era time in Hollidaysburg.

This program is presented by Jim Snyder, president of the Blair County Genealogical Society.

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 on select Saturdays throughout the summer. The tour is four hours in length. Space is limited to twelve people and reservations are required.

  The interior of the van. NPS Photo. 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!

Gallitzin Tunnels

For over 170 years, the Gallitzin Tunnels served a critical role in the nation's transportation history. Learn about why they are there, how they were built, their operations and the communities that surrounded them.

This program is presented by park volunteer Brandon Sliko.

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 on select Saturdays throughout the summer. The tour is four hours in length. Space is limited to twelve people and reservations are required.

  The interior of the van. NPS Photo. 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!

Heritage Hike: Summit Level

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.

A Giant in Those Days: The Life of John White Geary.

This program explores the life of John White Geary, the Allegheny Portage Railroad's most successful superintendent, and his impact on America at large.

This program is presented by park ranger Steven Lonergan.