Johnstown Flood National Memorial is a national memorial run by the National Park Service in Pennsylvania.
In the park service’s words
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together to aid the "Johnstown sufferers." The story of the Johnstown Flood reminds us all, "...that we must leave nothing undone for the preservation and protection of our brother men."
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Things to do
- May 31 Anniversary: Monday, May 31, 2027, is the 138th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
- Path of the Flood Van Tours: Ranger-guided Path of the Flood van tours are a great way to learn about the destructive force of the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
- Hike with a ranger through the ruins of the South Fork Dam: Join a Park Ranger for an interpretive walk that will take you to the bottom of the dam, through the breach and back out on the other side. This program is offered through the summer. The walk can also be done self-guided.
- Club House and Cottage Row Walking Tours: Club House and Cottage Row Walking Tours are part of our programming for the anniversary of the 1889 Johnstown Flood.
- Attend an Evening on the Lake Presentation: Evening on the Lake presentations are on select Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during the summer months.
- Attend a Tales of the Great Flood Presentation: Tales of the Great Flood cover a wide variety of topics relating to the Johnstown Flood.
- Learn about the Johnstown Flood in the Visitor Center: The Visitor Center and has two floors of exhibits and a park film. Visitors will learn about the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889.
- View the park film "Black Friday.": The park film "Black Friday" is 35 minutes in length. It is shown at 15 minutes past the hour (9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15). "Black Friday" is rated PG (parental guidance suggested). The film contains captions. A transcript of the film is available at the Visitor Center desk.
Fees and hours
Entrance fee: No entrance fee.
Hours: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Hours of Operations The Visitor Center is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Visitor Center is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. "All Park Hours" reflects the hours of operation for the Visitor Center.
Getting there
Take US Route 219 to the St Michael/Sidman exit. At the end of the exit ramp head East on PA 869 (there is a park sign at the end of the exit ramp). Travel approximately 1.5 miles on PA 869 watching for a left turn onto Lake Road at the sign for Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Follow Lake Road 1.5 miles until the visitor center appears on your right. Please park safely in the designated parking lot and not block any emergency access roads.
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Murtha Johnstown Cambria County Airport (JST) | Johnstown, PA | No road route | 4 | Regional |
| Altoona Blair County Airport (AOO) | Altoona, PA | No road route | 24 | Regional |
| Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE) | Latrobe, PA | No road route | 34 | Regional |
| Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) | Pittsburgh, PA | No road route | 77 | Large hub |
Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.
Miles are straight-line distances.
Visitor centers
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial Visitor Center: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Hours of Operation The Visitor Center is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Visitor Center is open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Weather permitting, park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Times listed in "All Park Hours" reflect Visitor Center operations.
Weather
Winters can be cold and severe. Spring can be seasonable and wet. Summer can be hot with potentials for thunderstorms. Fall can be seasonal, with cold temperatures into October and November.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Know before you go
Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.
Nearby
The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 127 miles away in a straight line.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee at Johnstown Flood National Memorial?
No entrance fee.
Where is Johnstown Flood National Memorial?
In Pennsylvania. The closest airport with scheduled flights is John Murtha Johnstown Cambria County Airport, about 4 miles away.
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