Parks, Forests & Trails

7,335 acres of scenic rolling hills and outdoor activities in northern Cambria County. Non-motorized, multi-use trails. Swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing & birding, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice boating, picnicking, 18 hole disc golf course, orienteering course, environmental education programs. Hiking trails, organized group tenting, pavilion rentals. Public game lands, campsites and camping cottages surround a magnificent 1,635 acre Glendale Lake. Rent modern cabins year round. Pets permitted in designated areas.

Natural beauty, fascinating historical features, and length: The Ghost Town Trail is a 48-mile long 'rails to trails' trail that blends these qualities and throws in a bit of challenge for flavor. The trail includes the 32-mile main stem portion from Blacklick, PA to Ebensburg, PA; as the 14-mile C and I Extension that includes the 4-mile Rexis Branch from Vintondale to White Mill; the 8-mile Stritty's Way from the Rexis Branch near the Rt. 422 underpass to North St. in Cardiff; and the 2-mile extension from Ebensburg to Beulah Road in Nanty Glo. Named for the long-gone coal-mining communities that once dotted its right-of-way, the GTT flows past two massive iron furnaces, old coal-loading tipples, boney (coal-refuse) piles and other traces of industrial history. The packed limestone paving provides an ideal surface for non-motorized activities. ADA accessible. Bicycle rentals available at the Ebensburg trailhead at the Young Peoples Community Center. A 2-mile mixed surface connection from the C & I to Duman Lake County Park gives trail visitors access to amenities such as picnicking, fishing, camping, and much more.

Opportunities abound along this 320-mile corridor of history, culture, recreation, and natural wonders! Explore historic communities including Altoona, Johnstown, and Blairsville. Experience interpretive sites – Hollidaysburg Canal Basin Park and Saltsburg Canal Park. Hike, bike, or study nature along The Lower, the 6 to 10, The West Penn, Path of the Flood and The Roaring Run Trails. Paddle the Conemaugh River, part of the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail, through Johnstown.

Located along State Route 271 North between Belsano and Nicktown, about 20 miles from Johnstown. Pavilions, horseshoe courts, ball field, volleyball courts, basketball court, swing sets, exercise and hiking trail. Weekend train rides and hay rides during the summer season. 19-acre stocked lake. Handicapped accessible fishing pier and hiking trail. Camping.

277-acre nature area with 8.5 miles of maintained hiking trails. Two covered pavilions and numerous picnic tables throughout the park. Activities include hiking, cross-country skiing, sled riding, and bird watching. Pets allowed. Open daily, dawn to dusk. Free admission; membership encouraged.

Enjoy a variety of activities within the park: bird watching, hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, interpretive programs, nature walks. Information is available at the Visitor Center. History buffs can trace the path of the Allegheny Portage Railroad on 12 miles of trails.

A National Recreation Trail! Scenic three-mile rail trail located between Johnstown's Riverside and Hornerstown neighborhoods. The trail traces the history of the Johnstown and Stony Creek Railroad built in 1891 by the Johnson Steel Company. Features include turn-of-the-century homes, historic Johnstown & Stonycreek Railroad, the grandeur of Buttermilk Falls, and more.

Today, visitors can stand on either of the remaining dam abutments and look out over the empty lakebed to get a visual idea of how much water converged on the city of Johnstown. Managed as a wet meadow, the lakebed now supports a variety of plant, tree and shrub species on both sides of the meandering South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River.

Anchored by a combined greenhouse and conservatory, indoor and outdoor classroom areas and an open-air performance venue, the Garden celebrates the passion and foresight of those who were once buried here – young heroes of the American Revolution and the Civil War, abolitionists who led freedom seekers through the Underground Railroad, determined pioneers who settled 19th century Johnstown, founding fathers and first families and the generations of immigrants who followed to fuel the nation’s industrial revolution.

The 1889 Park is located adjacent to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and right between the towns of St. Michael, Sidman & South Fork, PA. The park provides a variety of outdoor sports and recreation options, and scenic beauty throughout the seasons. Just ten minutes from US Route 219, you can enjoy beautiful nature trails, a game of softball, an old-fashioned picnic, birdwatching, roller hockey, playgrounds, and so much more.

6.6 mile out-and-back trail on an old road bed with moderate vehicle traffic, located near Johnstown. Good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs and horses permitted. The trail starts off the River Walk trail in Cambria City, Johnstown then heads north on Honan Ave. View a huge active Beaver dam, small waterfalls and the stunningly beautiful Hinkston Falls at the end of the trail.

This trail snakes around Beaverdale Reservoir located along Route 869 and is a beautiful, cool, and long hike near the small coal town of Beaverdale.