This 1882 Engineering Masterpiece Now Lets Visitors Walk Halfway to Nowhere Above a Pennsylvania Valley

The Kinzua Bridge

The old Kinzua Bridge was Pennsylvania’s pride until a tornado tore through it in 2003, ripping 11 of its 20 spans clean off. Now it’s a bizarrely perfect sky walk, jutting 600 feet into the air above the valley, with a glass floor showing the twisted steel below.

Here are some interesting facts about this mighty bridge, including the best things to do inside the Kinzua Bridge State Park itself.

The Kinzua Bridge

They built this massive railroad viaduct back in 1882, and it stood 301 feet high while stretching 2,053 feet across Kinzua Creek Valley.

This bridge saved trains from having to travel an extra 8 miles over rough terrain when hauling coal, timber, and oil. They used special Phoenix Columns in the design that were lighter but stronger than regular cast iron.

The Bridge Was Finished Insanely Fast

A team of 40 workers put this monster bridge together in just 94 days, using over 15,000 tons of iron. By 1900, they completely rebuilt it with steel so it could handle heavier trains. Trains kept using it until 1959.

Trains Had to Drive Extremely Slow

Trains crossing Kinzua Bridge had to slow way down to just 5 mph. At over 300 feet above the valley floor, there was zero room for error. This super slow speed rule applied to every single train carrying coal, timber, or oil across the viaduct.

It Almost Ended Up in a Junkyard

After trains stopped using the bridge in 1959, a scrap dealer bought the whole thing for only $76,000.

Pennsylvania stepped in to save the bridge in 1963 when Governor William Scranton created Kinzua Bridge State Park, which opened to the public in 1970. The bridge earned recognition as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1977.

From 1987 to 2002, you could ride special trains across the bridge and enjoy the views from up high.

Brought Down by a Tornado

Then on July 21, 2003, disaster hit. An F1 tornado with winds up to 112 mph slammed into the bridge, ripping 11 of the 20 towers right off their foundations. The twisted metal still lies where it fell.

You Can Walk Across the Actual Tracks

You gotta walk the Kinzua Skywalk when you visit. It stretches 600 feet out from the hillside on the remaining bridge towers. From 225 feet up, you can see for miles across the gorgeous Pennsylvania countryside. The glass platform at the end lets you look straight down to the valley floor and might make your knees feel a bit wobbly.

Hike The Kinzua Creek Trail

For a different view, take the Kinzua Creek Trail down to the valley floor. It’s pretty steep and you’ll need some energy, but totally worth it. You’ll get to see the skywalk from below and it looks completely different from this angle. The trail also brings you close to the twisted metal towers that the tornado knocked down in 2003.

Fish For Native Brook Trout

Kinzua Creek flows through the park and has native brook trout if you want to do some fishing. You can spend a few hours with your line in the water surrounded by beautiful scenery. Just remember to get your Pennsylvania fishing license first.

Bike The Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway

You can also bike the Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway, a road that welcomes both bikes and hikers. This pretty route gives you a great way to approach the park while enjoying the surrounding landscapes. You can bike to the park and then explore on foot, or use it as part of a longer ride through the beautiful Pennsylvania Wilds region.

Visiting the Kinzua Bridge State Park

You’ll find Kinzua Bridge State Park at 296 Viaduct Road, Kane, PA 16735.

To get there, go four miles north of U.S. Route 6 at Mt. Jewett on State Route 3011. The park is open every day of the year from 8:00 A.M. to sunset, and there’s no entrance fee.

HEADS UP:

The Kinzua Skywalk will close for major renovations beginning November 19, 2024. The first phase of closure runs until August 7, 2025, with work continuing until fall 2027.

The good news is they’ll reopen the skywalk for about two months each fall during peak foliage season. The visitor center, observation decks, picnic areas, pavilion, and playground will stay open throughout the renovation.