Steamtown National Historic Site will adjust its Special Use Permit (SUP) application fee from $50 to $150 effective May 1, 2026. This change reflects the administrative cost of processing and issuing permits and aligns with National Park Service cost recovery policy. This is not a new or expanded public-use fee. For questions, contact STEA_permits@nps.gov.
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Steamtown National Historic Site
Pennsylvania
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.
About Steamtown National Historic Site
Steamtown National Historic Site is a national historic site located in Pennsylvania. 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!
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).
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to Steamtown is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
Steamtown National Historic Site offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, and 7 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Steamtown
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Steamtown
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Steamtown before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for Steamtown. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Steamtown. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Steamtown
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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