Go above it all

Kinzua Bridge State Park & Skywalk

Once the tallest and longest railroad bridge in the world, the
Kinzua Viaduct has been transformed into a dramatic skywalk
experience. First built in 1882, the bridge stretched 2,053
feet across and rose 301 feet above the Kinzua Gorge. After a
tornado struck in 2003, a portion of the remaining towers was
repurposed into the Kinzua Skywalk, offering visitors a rare
chance to walk “the tracks across the sky.

Selected as “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks and Viewpoints in the World” by the Culture Trip, U.K. The Kinzua Skywalk is an engineering marvel with breathtaking views of the Kinzua Gorge.

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Skywalk is undergoing a multiyear preservation and rehabilitation project and is CLOSED to foot traffic. The Skywalk will be open September 1 – October 31, 2026

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center, Skywalk Overlook, trails not directly beneath the Skywalk, PA Wilds Conservation Store, and playground all remain OPEN during the project.

Learn More

Engineering a Marvel

The Kinzua Viaduct was the vision of General Thomas Kane, a Civil War veteran and president of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. He needed a way to transport coal from the rich deposits south of the gorge to markets in the north. Chief Engineer Octave Chanute and designer Adolphus Bonzano delivered a breakthrough design using the Phoenix Column, a revolutionary technology that enabled taller, more stable bridges. In just 94 days, 125 workers assembled the massive wrought iron structure, using pre-fabricated parts shipped from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The viaduct stood taller than the Brooklyn Bridge and quickly became a magnet for sightseers and photographers.
 
In 1900, the bridge was rebuilt in steel to support heavier loads. For decades, it served both freight and tourism. Then, on July 21, 2003, a tornado uprooted hundreds of trees and toppled 11 of the bridge’s 20 towers. What remained was stabilized and reimagined as the Kinzua Skywalk.

Visit the Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center

Just steps from the Skywalk, the 11,000-square-foot Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center explores the bold ideas and engineering that shaped this landmark. Two exhibit halls tell the story of the original 1882 viaduct, the minds behind it—including General Thomas L. Kane and engineer Octave Chanute—and the forces of nature that reshaped the site. Interactive displays highlight the intersection of energy, design, and environmental power.

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Skywalk is undergoing a multiyear preservation and rehabilitation project and is CLOSED to foot traffic except during the fall season.

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center, Skywalk Overlook, trails not directly beneath the Skywalk, PA Wilds Conservation Store, and playground all remain OPEN during the project.

Seasons & Hours

The Kinzua Bridge State Park is open every day of the year, from 8:00 A.M. to sunset.​

Driving Directions: Kinzua Bridge State Park is four miles north of US 6 at Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania, on SR 3011. For Google GPS: the driving address is 296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, PA, 16740.

GPS DD: N 41 degrees 45.078 W 78 degrees 34.846

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Office is open specific hours:

  • January 1 to February 28 — Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., closed on Sundays and New Year’s Day.
  • March 1 to March 31 — Open 7 days-a-week, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
  • April 1 to October 31 — Open 7 days-a-week, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
  • November 1 to December 31 — Open 7 days-a-week, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
  • Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.