Kinzua Bridge State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kinzua Bridge State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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A view of the collapsed Kinzua Bridge taken May 2007.
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 Kinzua Bridge State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | McKean, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 339 acres (137 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,136 ft (651 m) |
| Established | 1963 |
| Named for | Kinzua Bridge |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Kinzua Bridge State Park |
Kinzua Bridge State Park is a 339-acre (137 ha) state park in Pennsylvania, United States. It's located near Mount Jewett in McKean County. The park sits between U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 59, just east of the Allegheny National Forest.
This park is special! The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) chose Kinzua Bridge State Park as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks." This means it's a really important and cool place to visit.
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The Famous Kinzua Bridge
Kinzua Bridge State Park is famous for the Kinzua Bridge itself. This amazing bridge once stretched across Kinzua Creek. The first bridge was built in 1882. A new one was built in 1900. Sadly, a powerful tornado destroyed much of it in 2003.
When it was first built in 1882, the Kinzua Bridge was a record-breaker! It was the highest railway bridge in the world, standing 301 feet (92 m) tall. It was also the longest, stretching 2,053 feet (626 m). Because of its incredible design, it was named a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1977. The Erie Railroad company originally owned and used this giant bridge.
The park officially opened in 1970. However, the law to create Kinzua Bridge State Park was signed earlier, in 1963. William Scranton, who was the governor of Pennsylvania at the time, signed this important law.
Train Rides and the Tornado
For many years, you could ride special trains across the bridge! Starting in 1987, the Knox and Kane Railroad offered fun trips. These trains would travel from Kane, go through the beautiful Allegheny National Forest, and even stop on the bridge. This allowed passengers to enjoy the amazing views before heading back to Kane.
The train rides continued until June 2002. At that time, the bridge was closed for repairs. But then, on July 21, 2003, something unexpected happened. A strong tornado, rated F-1 on the Fujita scale, hit the park around 3:20 p.m.
The tornado was incredibly powerful. It ripped down 11 of the bridge's 20 sections. Nearby trees were also snapped and pulled from the ground. Investigators found that badly rusted bolts at the base of the towers caused the collapse. The huge towers fell in sections. Today, these fallen sections are still there. They serve as a reminder of nature's incredible power. The park plans to make these ruins a special attraction for visitors.
The Kinzua Bridge Skywalk
Even after the tornado, the Kinzua Bridge found a new life! In 2011, it was reopened as the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk. This is a new walkway for people to explore. Visitors can walk out about 600 feet on the parts of the bridge that are still standing.
From the Skywalk, you can look out for miles into the stunning Kinzua Gorge. There's even a special glass platform at the end of the walkway. You can look straight down through the glass, which is a really cool and thrilling experience!
Fun Things to Do
Kinzua Bridge State Park offers many fun activities. There's a great spot to look out over the fallen bridge and the Kinzua Creek Valley. This overlook is also perfect for seeing the beautiful fall leaves. The best time to visit for fall colors is usually the first two weeks of October.
The park also has a nice, shaded area for picnics. There's a modern restroom in the center of the picnic area for visitors.
Hunting in the Park
About 100 acres (40 ha) of the park's woods are open for hunting. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some of the animals commonly hunted here include black bears, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Nearby State Parks
If you're looking for more outdoor adventures, here are some other state parks close to Kinzua Bridge State Park (within 30 miles (48 km)):
- Allegany State Park in New York
- Bendigo State Park in Elk County
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area in Cameron and Clinton Counties
- Chapman State Park in Warren County
- Elk State Park in Elk County
- Sizerville State Park in Cameron and Potter Counties
Images for kids
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View west from the bridge
