Kinzua Bridge State Park is a famous landmark located four miles north of U.S. Route 6 at Mt. Jewett on State Route 3011.Park facilities are located at the south end of the bridge and include picnic tables, drinking water, scenic overlook, an interpretive kiosk, an organized group tenting area and a pavilion which can be reserved.
Hunting: Hunting, trapping, and dog training are permitted in 306 acres of the park from the fall archery deer season through March 31, of the following year. Common game species are deer, bear, and turkey. Organized Group Tenting: A 150 person capacity primitive tenting area is available from April through October for qualified organized groups. Reservations are required in the tenting area.
History of the Park
In 1882 Kinzua Viaduct was built. At that time, it was considered to be the highest railroad bridge in the whole world. It was constructed as an alternative to laying and additional eight miles of track over rough terrain along the line leading to McKean County's coal, timber, and oil lands.
Built of iron, the original viaduct was 301 feet high, 2,053 feet long, and weighed 3,105,000 pounds.
In May of 1900 it was necessary to rebuild the entire structure to accommodate heavier trains. The job was completed in 105 days by between 100 and 150 men working ten hours a day. The new steel viaduct has the same measurements, but now weights 6,715,000 pounds.
No train crossed the bridge between June 21, 1959 and 1987. The Knox, Kane, Kinzua Railroad, formed in 1986, now offers excursion rides from Marienville to the park, a round trip distance of 97 miles. The train crosses the bridge and turns around on the other side offering visitors a spectacular scenic view. The train may be boarded in Kane for a trip to the park, a round trip distance of 33 miles. For ticket information and prices, call (814) 837-8621 or (717) 334-6932.
In 1963, Governor William Scranton signed a law which created Kinzua Bridge State Park. The park was officially opened in 1970. In 1977, the Kinzua Viaduct received national recognition as it was placed on the National Register of Historic Civil Engineers Landmarks.
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