Hike with a ranger through the ruins of the South Fork Dam

The remains of the South Fork Dam

NPS

Walk Through the Ruins

2026 program dates:
June 5 to August 30- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
September- Saturdays and Sundays.

This ranger guided walk takes participants through the ruins of the South Fork Dam.

The program is approximately 45 minutes in length and will take participants to the bottom of the dam, through the breach and back up out of the dam on the other side. Participants will learn about May 31, 1889, the hillside across from the dam, and much more! Please note that the last portion of the walk contains a steep section. The walk is approximately 1/3 mile.

Participants are encouraged to wear proper shoes and bring water. The meeting location is on the South Abutment.

The walk is weather and staff dependent. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6171 on the day of your visit to see if the program is being offered. No reservations are required! This walk can also be done self-guided. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Details

Activity

Guided Tours

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets are welcome at Johnstown Flood National Memorial! Responsible pet care is expected of all visitors.

• Pets are not allowed in any public building or office except for service animals.
• Pets must be on a leash of not more than 6 feet in length at all times and owners need to clean up after their pet.
• Pets are not permitted in buildings and they may not be tied to park features or facilities-thus leaving them unattended-while owners go into park buildings.
• Pet excrement must be removed from picnic areas, trails, and areas of heavy public use.

Please do not leave pets in vehicles; pets can quickly become overheated if left in a vehicle even if the outside temperatures are not that extreme.

Service Animals

National Park Service policy defines a service animal as being individually trained to perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability. Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go.

Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they have not been trained to provide a task directly related to a disability. Emotional support animals are considered to be a pet.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Reservations are not required for A Walk Through the Ruins.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

The tour contains several sets of steps to get to the bottom of the former lakebed. The final portion of the walk contains steps to get back out of the lakebed. Some of the trail surface is grassy and uneven.