Railroad tunnel and trail

Staple Bend Tunnel Trail

About 9.9 road mi

A free four-mile out-and-back on the original Allegheny Portage Railroad grade reaches America’s first railroad tunnel, but current NPS guidance says the interior is closed after a rockfall.

The place

About Staple Bend Tunnel Trail

Staple Bend Tunnel opened with the Allegheny Portage Railroad in 1834, allowing the line to bypass a bend in the Little Conemaugh River. NPS identifies it as the first railroad tunnel built in America.

The trail follows two miles of the old railroad bed from a paved trailhead on Beech Hill Road, then returns the same way. Stone sleepers, culverts, interpretive panels, and the surviving Roman Revival west portal make the approach part of the rail-history experience.

Official NPS pages are not fully synchronized: older place pages describe walking through the tunnel, while a newer May 2026 ranger page states that the interior is closed after a rockfall. Follow the closure, view the portals from outside, and call before expecting passage.

What stands out

America’s first railroad tunnel

The 1834 structure is a direct remnant of the canal-and-rail system that crossed the Alleghenies.

The railroad grade is the exhibit

Stone sleepers, culverts, the Little Conemaugh valley, and interpretive panels make the approach historically legible.

Useful closure clarity

This guide prioritizes the newer rockfall notice over stale pages that still describe walking through the tunnel.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Johnstown Inclined Plane trip

The trailhead is about 9.9 driving miles from the incline’s upper station. It is the strongest nearby rail-specific experience while the incline is closed, but requires roughly four miles of walking or bicycling and should not be treated as a quick roadside photo stop.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Current closureThe tunnel interior is closed after a rockfall according to NPS’s May 2026 guidance. The portals and trail remain the visit; call before expecting entry.
  • RouteTwo miles from the trailhead to the tunnel and two miles back. The crushed-limestone route follows the old railbed and is nearly level.
  • Hours and feePark grounds are open daily sunrise–sunset, weather permitting, with no entrance fee. There is no winter trail maintenance.
  • BicyclesBicycles are allowed on this trail. Motorized transport is not. Walk a bicycle around closure areas and obey current signs.
  • AccessibilityNPS says the crushed-limestone trail meets gradient standards for wheelchair users, but it is four miles round trip and field conditions can change.
  • TrailheadUse the paved lot off Beech Hill Road after the railroad underpass. Vault toilets, benches, bicycle rack, and interpretive information are listed at the trailhead.

Follow the river story into town

Add Johnstown Flood Museum

Use the downtown museum to understand the 1889 flood that later reshaped the tunnel landscape and prompted the incline’s construction.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk through Staple Bend Tunnel now?

No. Newer NPS guidance says the interior is closed after a rockfall. Call the park before travel for a reopening update.

How long is the trail?

Approximately four miles round trip: two miles to the tunnel and two miles back.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is fee-free.

Can I bring a bicycle?

Yes. Bicycles are allowed on the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail, but motorized transport is not.

Is the route wheelchair accessible?

NPS says the crushed-limestone trail meets wheelchair gradient standards, but it is long and outdoor conditions vary. Call for current surface details.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-12. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.