Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site — Federal Park Road
Gallitzin, PA
Location

Category: National Parks

National Parks

Hours street map for all businesses nearby.

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110 Federal Park Road
Gallitzin, PA   16641Driving Directions
Phone: (814)886-6150(814)886-6150 Maps & Directions

National Historic Site

Operating Hours & Seasons

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

The grounds of the park are open every day, sunrise to sunset.

Standard Hours

  • Sunday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Monday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Tuesday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Wednesday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Thursday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Friday: Sunrise - Sunset
  • Saturday: Sunrise - Sunset

Fees & Passes

    Entrance Fees:

    • $0.00 - Per Person Fee
      Admission is free at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.

    Entrance Passes:

    • $0.00 - America the Beautiful-U.S. Military Pass
      Free. Yearly pass for Active US Military members, including the National Guard and Reserves; renewable each year during your active duty service, including the National Guard and Reservies. This admits the service member and his/her dependents in the party.
    • $0.00 - Access Pass
      For US Citizens or Permanent Residents of any age who have a permanent disability (must show proper documentation); good for life. This admits the guest and three additional adult guests in the party.
    • $0.00 - Every Kid in a Park-4th Grade Pass
      Fourth graders may go to this website, https://www.everykidinapark.gov/ and complete a short, fun activity. Students can then bring in their printed certificate and exchange it for a pass good for one year. Students must be in the fourth grade and adults may not use the pass without their 4th grader present.

    About

    "...Even if it's as Big as a Mountain!"

    The first railroad to circumvent the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the finishing piece of the Pennsylvania Mainline 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.

    Directions

    The park is located just off U.S. Route 22 approximately 12 miles west of Altoona and 10 miles east of Ebensburg. Take the Gallitzin Exit and turn right, following the signs. Visitors prior to 1992 accessed the park in other ways, but the GALLITZIN EXIT of US Route 22 is now the way to access the visitor center and historic area.

    Visitor Centers

    Summit Level Visitor Center

    Located immediately off of US Route 22 at the Gallitzin Exit, this is the best place to start your tour. The park movie is shown in the indoor 60 seat auditorium as requested to give a concentrated overview of the park story. The program lasts approximately twenty minutes. The movie is a dramatic interpretation of what it was like to work and travel on the Portage Railroad. A fictional character, Edgar West, explains life on the canals then speaks of a change of occupation to Portage Railroad.

    Weather

    The park is located in Cambria County, PA, and is at the summit of the Allegheny Mountains. Therefore, the park often takes on winter extremes. If planning on traveling from a long distance, please contact the park beforehand to ensure that the facilities are open. Please consult weather forecasts to ensure conditions are safe to travel in. Spring, summer, and fall are generally uneventful, but severe thunderstorms can occur.

    Permits and Reservations Information