Trails

 

Trail operations

Weather permitting, trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note, there is no winter maintenance on park trails. 

Pets are permitted on park trails provided they are restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length. For more information please see the Superintendent's Compendium.

 

The remains of the South Fork Dam.

NPS

North Abutment

The North Abutment, located on Lake Road, can be accessed via a boardwalk near the parking lot. Round trip, the walk is approximately 0.40 miles. The spillway is visible on this level trail.

South Abutment

The South Abutment is located on South Abutment Road off of Route 869 in Saint Michael. From the parking lot to the abutment is approximately 0.10 miles. This trail is a flat grassy surface. Please watch for rocks and tree roots.

 

Walk Through the Ruins

The Walk Through the Ruins Trail, off of the South Abutment Road near the parking lot, takes walkers to the bottom of the dam, through the breach and back up out of the dam on the other side. Interpretive panels provide information about May 31, 1889, the hillside across from the dam, and much more!

Interpretive panels on the abutments will help the visitor learn about the history of the South Fork Dam and May 31, 1889.

The trail contains several sets of stairs to take visitors down into the bottom of the dam. Please note that the last portion of the walk contains a steep section with several sets of stairs back up to the parking lot. The walk is approximately 1/3 mile. The trail is uneven in places. Please watch for rocks and tree roots.

 

Carriage Road Nature Trail

The Carriage Road Nature Trail follows the carriage road that the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club members would have taken after they crossed the top of the South Fork Dam on their journey from South Fork to the Club House and cottages. It can be accessed from the top of the parking lot at the South Abutment.

From the South Abutment to the end of the trail and back to the parking lot is approximately .90 miles. Adding in the Arbor Trail extension to the picnic area and back is approximately 1.15 miles.

The trail contains several slopes and uneven surfaces. Please watch for rocks and tree roots.

 

The Path of the Flood Trail sign on the South Abutment Road.

NPS

Path of the Flood Trail (POTF)

The POTF Trail starts in the South Fork Dam lakebed and continues 14 miles through the valley to the Stone Bridge in Johnstown. The section through Johnstown Flood National Memorial starts on the South Abutment Road and contains several steep sections. Please look for the gate with the Path of the Flood Trail sign pictured on the left. The trail continues through breach of the South Fork Dam.

The majority of the trail is managed by the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority. For a map, trailheads and more information, please visit their website.

The POTF Trail was named the 2025 Trail of the Year, by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources!