Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Things To Do Near Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Start your visit to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial at the visitor center, where you can watch a documentary outlining the events on that fateful day. Take a hike to see the outside of some of the cabins belonging to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. Annually, on May 31, a wreath-laying ceremony is held along with the lighting of a luminary for each person who died on that day as water as wide as the Mississippi River came crashing through the community. 

Hiking Trails

• South Fork Dam Trail

  Start at the South Fork Dam south parking lot. Follow this trail that runs down a series of steps to Lake Conemaugh’s dry lakebed. The path then crosses the Little Conemaugh River and the gap that the floodwaters created in the dam. Finally, it ascends back up some steps until it ends near where it began. Informational panels near the trail allow you to understand Johnstown flood events. 

  Location

  South Fork Dam South Parking Lot, South Abutment Road, St. Michael, Pennsylvania 15951

  Length

  .4 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Arbor Trail Loop

  The Arbor Trail Loop starts in the upper part of the South Fork south parking lot. This trail was used by the carriages bringing wealthy people from Philadelphia to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club cottages in the late 1800s. This relatively flat trail runs through old-growth woods. There are informative markers along the way explaining the road and the events of the flood. 

  Location

  South Fork Dam South Parking Lot, South Abutment Road, St. Michael, Pennsylvania 15951

  Length

  1.1 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Downtown Johnstown Walking Tour

  This hike starts at Main and Bedford Streets in Johnstown and runs by several buildings constructed following the flood. You will also see the only church left standing during the flood and the Odd Fellows Lodge, where many spent the first nights after the flood. Many of the buildings have beautiful Greek Revival detailing. 

  Location

  Main and Bedford Streets, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901

  Length

  2 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Johnstown Inclined Plane

  Billed as the world’s steepest vehicular inclined plane, workers constructed this funicular in 1893 to whisk people out of the valley if another flood threatened. It was used in 1936 and 1977 for that very purpose. When not rescuing people, it served as a quick and easy way to get from Johnstown to the communities built above the valley after the Great Flood of 1889. 

  Location

  711 Edgehill Drive, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15905

• Grandview Cemetary

  After hurrying to bury the dead after the Johnstown Flood, people were buried in mass graves. Later, the bodies were exhumed, and many identified. You can see 777 white tombstones at this cemetery from those who were never identified, along with a statue erected in 1892 to honor them and others who perished during the flood. This cemetery is also home to several graves of soldiers who died during World War I and II. 

  Location

  801 Millcreek Road, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15905

• Wagner-Ritter House and Garden

  See a working-class home by visiting the Wagner-Ritter House and Garden. Learn about how 19th-century housework was done, as well as information about toys and gardening at this home. Workers constructed the home in the late 1860s, and the historical society has reconstructed a barn, a privy, and a bake-oven shelter at this site. You can also see a typical German-style raised bed garden. 

  Location

  418 Broad Street Johnstown Pennsylvania 15906

Museums

• Johnstown Flood Museum

  Learn more about the Johnstown flood of 1889 by visiting the Johnstown Flood Museum. See the interactive map to view how the damage from the flood spread downstream. View photos and exhibits related to the event. Additionally, tour the Oklahoma House to see how survivors lived in the weeks following the flood. 

  Location

  304 Washington Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15905

• Heritage Discovery Center

  Choose a card at the Heritage Discovery Center and view, smell, and touch exhibits throughout this museum that fictional immigrants would have experienced when they moved to Johnstown between 1880 and 1914. Discover what life was like in early steel and coal mines, and see what Johnstown looked like in about 1907. End your visit by listening to recorded interviews of immigrants, their children, and their grandchildren. 

  Location

  Broad Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15906

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Valko's AG Store

  Find picnic makings at Valko's AG Store. This family-owned store is a great place to shop for meats for a cookout because the staff members butcher their own meat. You can find many ethnic foods at this grocery store as well. 

  Location

  511 Maple Street, South Fork, Pennsylvania 15956

• Classic Elements Inc.

  Start by finding a new women’s classic outfit at Classic Elements Inc. Then, shop for gifts that include stationery, health and beauty products, jewelry, and candles for a friend or for yourself. End your visit by selecting from the large selection of coffee beans from around the world. 

  Location

  345 Main Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901

• Vick's

  Get excellent pub food and cheap adult beverages at Vick’s, which stays open late. The staff has been doing their jobs for years and their level of experience shows. 

  Location

  219 Lake Street, South Fork, Pennsylvania 15956

• Country Inn Bar & Grill

  Get a great hamburger or barbecue sandwich at Country Inn Bar & Grill. This establishment also offers outstanding wings and pizza. There is a family-friendly restaurant that is separate from the bar. 

  Location

  615 Ragers Hill Road, South Fork, Pennsylvania 15956

How To Get To Johnstown Flood National Memorial

It is easy to get to Johnstown Flood National Memorial from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Take the Johnstown Expressway to the left exit to get on US 219 North. In about 5.2 miles, take the exit onto Pennsylvania 869 East. This exit allows you to get on Pennsylvania 869 West. Veer right to get on Ragers Hill Road, and continue straight to get on Rockville Road. In just a few feet, you need to make a sharp left to get on Frankstown Road. Finally, turn left onto Lake Road. 

Address

733 Lake Road, South Fork, Pennsylvania 15956

Fee: Entry fee $0

Learn more about the Johnstown flood by visiting the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, where you can see a documentary, visit the dams remains, and see many areas that the flood impacted. Then, head to Johnstown to learn even more about the event and its aftermath, which was the first disaster responded to by the American Red Cross. Bringing your RV allows you to travel between sites easily. If you do not have one, rent one from RVshare.