News Release

Find Your Park in Western Pennsylvania

The five National Parks of Western Pennsylvania.

NPS/K. Hostetler

News Release Date: March 15, 2023

Contact: Elizabeth Shope, 814-449-4125

The National Parks of Western Pennsylvania (WEPA) tell the diverse story of America over 247 years, from the opening battle of the French and Indian War at Fort Necessity, to the crash of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. National parks are home to many of the nation’s most beloved memorials, historic sites, battlefields, and iconic landscapes.

WEPA parks consist of: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site. Visitation remains strong throughout the National Park Service (NPS) across the more than 420 sites in the United States and its territories. Over the last year, WEPA saw nearly one million visitors. Our five parks account for one third of the NPS sites in Pennsylvania.

“The numbers reflect the connection people have to national parks,” said Superintendent Stephen M. Clark. “These five parks provide a special place to learn, recreate, relax, and spend time with friends and family throughout the entire year.”

As all of the WEPA parks are FREE of charge, there are a variety of ways visitors can find inspiration and learn the unique history of the WEPA parks. Our rangers recommend taking a hike to the Staple Bend Tunnel, seeing the luminaria for the anniversary of the Johnstown Flood, listening to the windchimes at the Tower of Voices, attending a soldier life and musket demonstration, and learning about the home of Albert Gallatin.


Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site was the first railroad over the Allegheny Mountains and the final link to the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. https://www.nps.gov/alpo

Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, that killed 2,209 people when the South Fork Dam failed. https://www.nps.gov/jofl

Flight 93 National Memorial
Flight 93 National Memorial commemorates the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. www.nps.gov/flni

Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is the site of the opening battle of the French and Indian War that ended with the removal of French power from North America. www.nps.gov/fone

Friendship Hill National Historic Site
Friendship Hill was the home of Albert Gallatin, an immigrant financier, politician, and diplomat who served as Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. www.nps.gov/frhi