Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Lemon House, one of the historic structures in the park.
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.
Map showing location of park.
Canal boat on water. A mule is on the side with a driver.
Evening on the Summit: The Main Line Canal and Underground Railroad
Our final Evening on the Summit program for the season is on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services and Special Projects at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will speak on the use of the Main Line Canal in supporting Underground Railroad activities. The event will be held in the Visitor Center auditorium. It is free and open to the public.
A large white structure with railroad tracks in front.
Heritage Hike: Summit Level, August 23, 2025
The 2025 Summit Level hike is Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. This hike, led by a park ranger, is 3-miles in length along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hike goes from the head of Inclined Plane No. 6 to the location of where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville, near the head of Inclined Plane 5. Reservations are required for this free hike. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up.
Map of the railroad
Evening on the Summit: Mapping the Allegheny Portage Railroad
Our summer speaker series, Evening on the Summit, concludes on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center theater. Park Volunteer Brandon Sliko will present a free program about mapping the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
A stone railroad tunnel with a horse led railroad car.
Heritage Hike: Staple Bend Tunnel, July 12, 2025
Hike with a park ranger to the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in America on Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m. Reservations are required for this free hike that is approximately five miles in length. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up and for meeting location details. The hike is rain or shine.
A man looks out of a train window into a valley with trees and water.
Evening on the Summit: Charles Dickens' 1842 Trip to America
Our summer speaker series, Evening on the Summit, continues on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center theater. Supervisory Park Ranger Doug Bosley will present a free program on Charles Dickens' 1842 trip to America.
Engine House and tavern
Photo by NPS
Engine house
Photo by NPS
Lemon House
Photo by NPS Photo
Stone building
Photo by NPS
Boardwalk
Photo by NPS
Tunnel
Photo by NPS
Bridge
Photo by NPS
Bookstore
Photo by NPS
Theater
Photo by NPS
Barrel
Photo by NPS