Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

Please check back for 2026 van tour dates!

Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter

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.

Evening on the Summit

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

Explore the Summit Level Visitor Center

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.

Guided Hikes

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

Hike along the 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.

Hike or bike to the Staple Bend Tunnel

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.

Hike the Inclines 6 to 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. Sections of this trail are very steep and rugged.

Lemon House

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.

Living History Day

Living History Day is an annual event at the park!

Participate in the Junior Ranger program!

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!

Summer Programs

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

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.

The 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 Skew Arch Bridge

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. 

Watch the park movie

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.