Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
National Historic Site · PA
Park Closure · Staple Bend Tunnel Closure
Due to a rockfall, the interior of the Staple Bend Tunnel is closed. The trail is still open. From the Mineral Point Trailhead, visitors can bypass the tunnel, via a path around the right side of the tunnel structure.
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/alpo
- Location
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (40.430, -78.574)
Track your visit to Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
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Passport stamp locations
- Summit Level Visitor Center
- Summit Level Visitor Center
Hours
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Sitetoday: Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat Oct 3Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun Oct 4Sunrise to Sunset
- Mon Oct 5Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue Oct 6Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed Oct 7Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu Oct 8Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri Oct 9Sunrise to Sunset
Upcoming closures: Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Closure)
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.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Summit Level Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
2
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site Overview Tour1–8 hours · 16 stops
Hello and welcome to Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service!
Lemon House10–30 minutes · 4 stops
By 1834, Samuel Lemon built this substantial stone house east of the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. He and his family lived in the Lemon House from 1834 to 1847 and operated a tavern serving passengers of the newly built "Allegheny Portage Railroad" as well as the wayfarers of the "Northern Turnpike."
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.
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