kinzua bridge state park

This park is a little out of the way but worth visiting. The main attraction is the remains of a railroad trestle that was mostly destroyed by a tornado in the 90's. You walk out on the trestle and can step onto a plexiglass floor to look don onto the creek 100 feet below, if you dare. The day we were there more opted not to step on than did try. It is amazing to see the mangled rails and piers that are the remains of the trestle. Picnic tables and clean restrooms minimal crowds make it a nice place for a family picnic.

This site was really sad to see for myself and my sister as we grew up in Southwestern PA and had a camp outside of Kane. For many, many years we would go to the bridge, walked across it dozens of times, hiked the trails below, picnicked there, I even road the train across it when it was running! This is an amazing place to be at in the fall as the views are spectacular with all the colors of the leaves. This time when we visited it was bitter cold and windy (Dec. 31st), we only came across two other people while we were there. You can walk out to the end of the bridge (the observation area) and there is also a glass area that you can stand on and look below (if you don't have a fear of heights!). Right now there is really nothing but construction going on as they are building a visitor center which hopefully will include all of the history behind this engineering marvel. No food or bathrooms, just port-a-potties. It is free to access but wonder if once they have the visitor center and area renovated whether they'll charge an entrance fee or not, either way it's definitely something to see. Once I'm back in the area I would love to visit again!

The story of the collapse of this renowned railroad bridge is fascinating. The area is being further developed to include a visitor center and additional viewing options. We were there in winter, so we stuck to the bridge and the observation decks. If you are afraid of heights, as I am, you will find it a challenge. But those who are comfortable with heights were enthralled by the vista. In the summer, I bet hiking the trails below the bridge would be gorgeous.

It's a must-see if you're in the area. This walk, on a former long railroad bridge that was mostly destroyed by a tornado, takes you out over where you are more than 300 feet above the bottom of a gorge. The bridge is an engineering marvel that lasted more than 100 years, until a tornado ripped apart the middle of it in 2003. I am afraid of heights, but the skywalk is fenced high enough on the sides and is wide enough that, after prayerful consideration, I was able to walk out onto the remains of the bridge to the viewing area.

This place is an interesting part of history. General Thomas Kane had a bridge built over the Kinzua Valley to have coal, etc. delivered to his business. It was billed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Later, excursion trains brought sightseers. It became a state park in 1963. In 2003, the winds of a tornado hit the railroad trestle in three directions causing it to twist like a pretzel and collapse. Part of it survived and the Sky Walk was made. If you are afraid of heights, I wouldn't recommend it because you will be over 300 feet about the valley. You can look directly down from between the railroad tracks or through the glass floor that they built at the end of the walk. We went in mid October to enjoy the foliage, but the majority of the leaves were down in this area. Unfortunately, it was also raining on and off so we did not stay long. But it was impressive to see the twisted remains of the iron bridge on the opposite side of the river. At the moment, it is a bit of a walk to get to the skywalk from the parking lot, but they are building a new visitor's center which will be completed in 2015. Right now there is a small picnic pavilion and some hiking trails, but I recommend coming when the construction is completed since there will probably be more to do then. The park is in Mt. Jewett where they also have large murals painted on the whole sides of buildings that are impressive to see, too.

Went here on a lovely fall day not really knowing what was here. They are in the process of updating the parking area and adding a Visitors Center. You walk out on a century old train trestle looking down between the tracks to the valley below you. At the edge of the platform you can see forever. And down! And see what nature can do. Half of the trestle was destroyed by a tornado.

The reconstruction of this old railroad bridge into an observation deck is near flawless. Despite the incredible hight, and the wind whipping through this valley, you feel very safe walking out to the observation deck. Just dress warmly.The glass bottom of the deck covers only a small portion of it, so you do not have to stand on the glass if you do not want to.My favorite part was the majesty of the broken steel arches on the valley floor. It looked like a CGI effect out of an action hero movie, only it was real.If you like fall leaves, this would have to be the number one place in the North America to view the leaves at their peak. You would be absolutely surrounded by bright fall colors. I have already marked my calendar for next year!

The Kinzua Bridge was built in 1882, was felled by Nature in July 2003 and is revived to continue to allow people to experience this great bridge! It is out of the way in northern Pennsylvania but definitely worth taking the time to find it. It is free and the chance to walk out and look down thru the plexiglass is awesome. Be prepared if the weather is cool, it is VERY windy and cold. Bundle up. But well worth it! It is a marvel of engineering and the look out is awesome any time of the year. There is a new welcome center being built which will be finished next summer which should also provide awesome views. The bridge that fell in the tornado is still lying in the valley below. If you are into a hike, you can hike down the trails (some are very steep) to the bottom. At least walk down to the first or second platform (easier walk) to see the view UNDER the bridge!!!! There are port a potties available but nothing as far as food or shelter! There is a video display right in front of where they are building the welcome center that provides visual information too! Worth a couple trips in any weather!

Positive: Beautiful Autumn scenery of the hills and valleys. Nice old rail bridge trestle with good views. There's even a plexiglass viewing area for looking straight down into the ravine.Negative: Construction currently taking place on the grounds.

This bridge is so unique the way it was built it is a shame that the tornado destroyed one half of it. If I could I would love to take a train ride over the ravine it is beautiful and I think the view from a train would be so magical.

We loved it! The views are breathtaking! It's free! You can spend under an hour on the skywalk or several hours exploring the trails. The wind was whipping thru the valley the afternoon we visited. The Visitors Center will provide everything...information, bathrooms, food, ect. I can't wait to visit again!

So first of all it's free. And fantastic. And dog friendly. We did the bridge pedestrian walk first and it is humbling. To be so high up and have the ability to look down and see how awesome the support structure was to support train commerce is amazing. Then to look across and see the twisted metal from the 2001 tornado is awesome. If you have the stamina and stability you have to walk the trail down to the river. It gives you an up close look at the demolition caused by Mother Nature. You can get close enough to touch the tired iron that was thrown down by the storm. This park is too cool for any geek to miss.

We visited here in October 2014 however the new tourist centre is being built at the moment so it was chemical toilets only(disgusting)and no where to get something to eat or drink.However, the bridge is amazing and it was worth the trip to walk out on the rail tracks and see the skywalk.The leaves on the trees were a beautiful colour and the views were amazing.Wait till the centre is built if you can, if not , then go prepared.

So glad I stopped! Excellent photo ops, but the walk across is not for the faint-of-heart! The trails are a bit rough, but there's enough scenery without hiking.

After watching the introductory video on the bridge it is saddening to see the toppled bridge. But I think the toppled tower makes this a much more fascinating place to visit.