VISITORS’ GUIDE

standing of natural and cultural resources.

Tour Groups

The park is motor coach, bus, and RV friendly. Buses may drive directly to the entrance of the visitor center and park office to drop off and pick up groups. Participants may explore the exhibits on both levels, join staff for a guided walk on the skywalk, and visit the gift shop.

All guided activities must be scheduled in advance. Motor Coach Tour Application (PDF)

Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center And Park Office

The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Park Office opened on July 1, 2016. It provides a location for visitors to interact with park staff, explore the history of the viaduct, and learn more about the natural landscape and wildlife.

The visitor center features a reception area, gift shop, spectacular view of the skywalk, and two levels of self-guided and interactive exhibits that focus on engineering, environment, nature, energy, and history as they relate to the viaduct and local area. Some of the exhibits are hands-on for the enjoyment of all ages, while others include videos and original artifacts.

Special Events

The Kinzua Bridge Foundation Inc. organizes a yearly fall festival that is held for two days during the third weekend of September that includes arts, crafts, food vendors, and musical entertainment.

The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Kinzua Viaduct, the promotion of the viaduct’s historical and cultural significance, as well as supporting the state park.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A two-plug, electric-vehicle charging station is available for public use in the bus and RV parking area near the picnic pavilion. Please move to another parking space once a vehicle has been charged.

Hiking

• General Kane Trail — 1.6 miles, easiest hiking. The trail begins and ends at the overflow parking area and wanders through hardwood forests of black cherry and maple trees, which have been ravaged and renewed by nature since the 2003 tornado. The loop trail is named for General Thomas Leiper Kane, the visionary behind Kinzua Bridge. During the Civil War, Kane assembled the famed Bucktail Regiment. He also supported slave rights, and, later, the Latter-day Saint movement as it migrated westward.

• Kinzua Creek Trail — four-tenths of a mile, one-way, most difficult hiking. This steep and challenging trail should only be attempted by visitors with proper footwear and hiking experience. The trail begins on the paved walkway to the overlook and switchbacks to the valley bottom, giving close-up views of the supports for the skywalk and spectacular views of the fallen towers. The trail ends at the far side of the footbridge. Do not enter the debris field. Entrance into the debris field is strictly prohibited. Hikers must retrace their steps back to the trailhead. Access to the short trail for the Picture Taking Platform is near the Overlook and the Kinzua Creek Trail trailhead.

Hikers on the Kinzua Creek Trail should be in good physical condition, wear sturdy boots, and use caution due to steep trail sections.

Hiking Safety

• Always wear sturdy boots. Wearing sneakers, sandals, continued on page 15

“water shoes,” and “street shoes” can lead to serious accidents.

• Report inappropriate behavior to the authorities.Give yourself plenty of time for your hike. Plan to be off the trails well before dark.

• Let someone know where you are hiking and when you should return.

• Stay on the trails. Leaving the trail causes damage to unique natural resources, promotes erosion, and can be dangerous.

• Don’t take shortcuts from one trail section to another. Taking shortcuts down switchbacks is dangerous and causes trail damage.

Picnicking At Kinzua Bridge State Park

The picnic area has shaded picnic tables. Modern restrooms are in the visitor center. A picnic pavilion that seats 60 people is accessible to people with disabilities. The pavilion can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. If unreserved it is free on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Wildlife Watching At Kinzua Bridge State Park

Extensive logging from 1890 to 1930 led to the Allegheny hardwood forest that now covers most of the region. The forest in and around the park consists mainly of black cherry, sugar maple, white ash, American beech, as well as other trees and shrubs. These northern hardwoods attract thousands of visitors every fall to the skywalk to view the changing of the leaves. Conifers, including the eastern hemlock (our state tree) and eastern white pine, are also found throughout the region. Areas where swaths of mature trees were blown down during the tornado now contain small trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, providing for a greater diversity of wildlife habitat.

Adding to the park’s beauty, wildflowers can be found throughout the seasons. Look for painted trilliums, spring beauties, and trout lilies in the spring, or jack-inthe-pulpits, Indian pipes, and asters during the summer. Local wildlife includes black bear, white-tailed deer, turkey, grouse, coyote, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, porcupine, bobcat, raccoon, saw-whet owl, barred owl and numerous songbirds.

From the skywalk and other park overlooks, turkey vultures are often seen circling on the summer air currents. In winter, red-tailed hawks can be seen doing the same. Occasionally, a bald eagle is observed flying over the valley.

Wildlife Watching Tips

When watching wildlife, keep in mind the following tips to enhance the quality of your viewing experience.

• Fade into the woodwork:

• Wear dull colors that will not contrast with your surroundings.

• Walk softly and crouch behind trees or rocks to blend in and break up your outline. Think like an animal:

• Imagine how the animal you are seeking spends its day. Check field guides to find out about preferred habitats.

• As a rule, the border between two habitats is a good place to see residents from both places.

• Dusk and dawn are usually the best times of day for viewing.

• Consider the weather. For instance, after a rain, many animals emerge to feed.

Let animals be themselves:

• Resist the temptation to ‘save’ young animals. The mother is usually watching from a safe distance.

• Give nests a wide berth. Your visit may lead predators to the nest.

• Let animals eat their natural foods. Sharing your sandwich may harm the digestive systems of wild animals and get animals hooked on handouts.

Viewing etiquette:

• Leave pets at home.

• Observe from a distance.

• Film and photograph wildlife responsibly. If an animal shows stress, move away.

• Stay on trails to lessen impact.

• Treat others courteously. Report inappropriate behavior to the authorities.