News Release

Steamtown National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access

Date: July 7, 2020

Scranton, Pa. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.  

Beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Steamtown NHS, in response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Green Phase for Lackawanna County, will allow access to the following areas from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily:

•  Park grounds
•  Historic 1902/1937 Roundhouse 
•  Steam locomotive cutaway exhibit
•  Outdoor locomotive/rolling stock static exhibits
•  America’s National Parks Store (only open Wednesday through Sunday)

Interpretive Ranger Programs and Shop Tours will not be offered at this time.  However, Park Rangers will provide informal interpretation services while roving throughout the park.

Out of consideration for the health of all visitors, the park strongly encourages the use of masks while visiting Steamtown NHS. Social distancing will be practiced, and the allowable capacity of all areas shall be reduced per CDC and state guidance. Please consider visiting during less popular times such as first thing in the morning, late afternoon, or on a weekday. Restrooms will be available.  However, no water fountains will be available, so please plan accordingly.

The following facilities remain closed:
•  History Museum
•  Technology Museum
•  Theater
•  Locomotive Shop
•  Oil House Exhibit
•  Boardwalk and Loading Platform
•  Mall Walkway

In cooperation with our destination partners, Steamtown NHS has suspended the remainder of its scheduled 2020 railroad passenger operations. This includes the Scranton Limited short train rides, fall foliage excursions through the Poconos, and the popular Holiday Trains to Moscow PA over Thanksgiving weekend. Additionally, the Iron Horse Society, the park’s official Friends group, has cancelled its North Pole Limited runs planned for December.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Steamtown NHS, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public- and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.   

While some areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Green Phase https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. 

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.   

Details and updates on Steamtown NHS operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/stea and social media channels.

NPS operations updates will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus

Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning [phone] during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.