Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Pennsylvania.

In the park service’s words

Feel the heat from the firebox, smell hot steam and oil; hear the whistle and the "chuff-chuff" from the smokestack, feel the ground vibrate, and watch as one-ton drive rods turn steel wheels. Discover how steam railroading helped shaped our nation's history and culture. Learn about the stories of the people who built, repaired and rode, and about the ongoing work to preserve railroading history.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Get Technical (20 to 60 Minutes): The combination of a working railroad yard and a world-class railroad museum gives visitors a chance to do more than just step back in time. Steamtown's Technology Museum is a visitor favorite, providing an immersive experience into the lights, sounds, and technology of the railroading industry.
• Explore the Roundhouse (10 to 60 Minutes): The combination of a working railroad yard and a world-class railroad museum gives visitors a chance to do more than just step back in time. The Roundhouse has been adaptively rehabilitated to allow Steamtown's mechanics to care for the locomotives with light-duty maintenance and repairs.
• Ride a Train (1 to 10 Hours): Steamtown's seasonal train rides offer a unique National Park experience. Rail experiences include short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard.
• Become a Railroad Explorer: Did you know that before the transcontinental railroad, it took four to six months to cross the United States? This is just one of the many fun facts you can learn as you become a Railroad Explorer! Steamtown is one of the few National Parks to carry this special Junior Ranger activity book.
• Watch "Steel and Steam" (18 Minutes): This is the park's orientation film which explores the history of steam locomotives and the anthracite railroad while following a young child's journey into adulthood through their love of trains and working in the railroad industry.
• Locomotive Shop Tours (45 to 60 Minutes): Join a Park Ranger or volunteer to get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the railroad, the locomotive shop. Participants will learn how the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company was able to adapt to keep up with the demands of the railroad industry and its consumers.
• Find a Souvenir (5 to 20 Minutes): Visit the America’s National Parks™ Store at Steamtown National Historical Park and shop a curated selection of quality educational products and books that will help extend the park experience. You can also find the park's passport stamp here.
• Discover the History of Steam (15 to 45 Minutes): Discover and uncover the history of steam railroading in the area; step back in time as you enter a recreated train station lobby complete with ticket windows; climb aboard a U.S. Mail Railway Post Office; or kick back in style upon the Erie Business Car #3.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:30AM - 5:00PM. The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted. For updated information, please check the alerts section at the top of this website. Please plan accordingly. The connecting walkway to the "Marketplace at Steamtown" is not the property of the National Park Service. The walkway is typically closed from November through April due to icy and other unpredictable weather conditions.

Getting there

Our GPS coordinates are: N 41.410730 (latitude), W 75.671329 (longitude) using our Park entrance, Lackawanna Ave at Cliff St, 18503 General Driving Directions: Take I-81 to exit 185. Continue onto President Biden Expressway (formerly known as Central Scranton Expressway) and follow signs to Mifflin Ave. Turn left onto Mifflin Ave. Turn right onto Lackawanna Ave. Turn left onto Cliff St (Park entrance).

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

• Visitor Center and Park Store: Daily, 9:30AM - 5:00PM. The park is open from 9:30am to 5:00pm which includes outdoor exhibit areas and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted. For updated information, please call (570) 445-1898. Please plan accordingly.

Weather

Warm and sometimes humid summers; cold and rainy or snowy winters. Wear seasonable clothing and good walking shoes. For travel aboard the summer and fall seasonal excursion trains, please note that the commuter-type coaches are not air-conditioned, or may not be heated. Therefore, we recommend that you dress appropriately for the season that you plan to visit us!

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 244 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Steamtown National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.