Ghost Town Trail

Facilities | FAQs | Directions | Trail Map | Brochure | Contacts

History

The Ghost Town Trail totals 36 miles in Indiana and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania. The trail was originally established in 1991 when the Kovalchick Salvage Company donated 16 miles of the former Ebensburg & Blacklick Railroad to Indiana County. In 1993 the Cambria & Indiana Railroad donated an additional 4 miles from Rexis to White Mill Station known as the Rexis Branch. In 2005 an additional 20 miles were added to the trail - 12 miles in Indiana County and 8 miles in Cambria County. The trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Ghost Town Trail derives its name from numerous mining towns that once existed along the railroad corridor. Wehrum, the largest of the former towns, once had 230 houses, a hotel, company store, jail, and bank. Warren Delano, uncle of President Franklin Roosevelt, developed the town. Other ghost towns include Bracken, Armerford, Lackawanna #3, Scott Glenn, Webster, Beulah, and Claghorn. There are few remnants of these former towns and most of the ghost towns are located on private property not open to the general public. A detailed history of the area can be found in Delano’s Domain: A History of the Mining Towns of Vintondale, Wehrum, and Claghorn by Denise Dusza Webster.

The Eliza Furnace, in Vintondale, is one of Pennsylvania’s best preserved iron furnaces. An interpretive exhibit is located at the site. The furnace operated from 1846 to 1849 and is a unique relic of the Blacklick Valley’s early industrial era. The furnace is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historical markers along the trail provide interpretive information about the Blacklick Valley’s intriguing history.

The Ghost Town Trail is designated by the U.S. National Park Service as a National Recreation Trail. More info about the national recreation trails program can be found at: www.americantrails.org

Facilities

The trail totals 36 miles and is open to hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. The trail is open year-round and the packed limestone surface is ideal for non-motorized activities. Portions of the trail in both Indiana and Cambria County are located adjacent to PA State Gamelands. Trail users are strongly advised to wear safety orange if using the trail during hunting seasons.

A one-mile ‘missing link’ in the trail is located just west of Dilltown. Two large bridges are missing and efforts are underway to secure funding to complete this link. There is no suitable bypass route around this missing link. From Blacklick (Saylor Park) to the bridge location is 12 miles. From Dilltown to Ebensburg is 20 miles.

Access areas with the following services are available:

Bicycle rentals are available at the Trailside Bicycle in Vintondale (local business not affiliated with Indiana County Parks & Trails, call ahead). In Dilltown the Dillweed Bed & Breakfast and trail shop provides overnight accommodations and trail related items for sale. The Red Mill Resort on the Rexis Branch also offers overnight accommodations. Motels, hotels and bed & breakfasts are located in Ebensburg, Johnstown, Indiana, and Blairsville. Camping is not permitted on the trail. Learn more about local camping options.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are new to the Ghost Town Trail you may want to look at our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Directions

The Ghost Town Trail is easily accessed via Routes 119, 22, 403, 271, and 422. Saylor Park, one-mile off Route 119 serves as the western terminus. Ebensburg, located along Routes 422 and 22 serves as the eastern terminus. A directional map with wrtitten directions to the various trail access areas is available.. Other directions are available by contacting the park office.

Trail Map

Detailed trail maps in PDF format are available for all trail sections. These are large files which may take several moments to download. A regional trail map is also available.

Brochure

A printable brochure for the Ghost Town Trail is available in PDF format. The brochure includes a trail map showing trail access locations. This is a large file that may take several moments to appear on your screen. Learn about all the exciting changes to the Ghost Town Trail in our Regional Trail Update (PDF Format).

Contacts

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