Pennsylvania

Ghost Town Trail

The Ghost Town Trail is a rails-to-trails facility located in Cambria and Indiana Counties in south central Pennsylvania.

photo: Surface Reclamation. A mine dump formerly occupied this area. Photo by Mary Shaw.

Length: 57.00 miles
Loop Trail? No
Type: Rail Trail
Agency: City, Town, or County
Entry Fee? No
Parking Fee? No

Allowed Uses:

Bicycling (on pavement)
Bicycling (off pavement)
Dogs - On leash
Pedestrian - Walking/Hiking/Running
Snow - Cross-country Skiing
Snow - Snowshoeing

See more details.

 

Location: Saylor Park (Blacklick) to Ebensburg
State(s): Pennsylvania
Counties: Indiana, Cambria
Longitude: -79.19195
Latitude: 40.47475

Driving Directions

Driving directions are not available for this trail. Can you provide this missing data?

Description

The Ghost Town Trail is a rails-to-trails facility located in Cambria and Indiana Counties in south central Pennsylvania. Opened for public use in 1994, the trail is 24 miles long and presently extends from Dilltown in Indiana County to Ebensburg in Cambria County. Following the South Branch and Main Stem of the Blacklick Creek, the packed crushed limestone trail passes through several abandoned coal towns or "ghost towns" from the early 20th century coal industry. There is also a four-mile branch, known as the Rexis Branch, which follows the North Branch of the Blacklick Creek, from Vintondale to the White Mill Station at PA Route 422. Over the eight years the trail has been open, more than 75,000 annual users have enjoyed the sights, sounds, and beauty of the Ghost Town Trail while hiking, biking, or cross country skiing during every season of the year.

Additional Details

Width: 120 inches.
Primary Surface: Crushed rock, compacted
Secondary Surface: None
Average Grade: 1%
Maximum Grade: 1%
Elevation Low Point: 980
Elevation High Point: 200
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available

Year Designated:
2003

Supporting Webpages and Documents

Website: American Trails Featured NRT
Website: Trail Map
Website: Cambria County Website -- Ghost Town Trail

Contact Information

For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.

Park Ranger:
Ed Patterson
Indiana County Parks & Trails
1128 Blue Spruce Road
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 463-8636
[email protected]
http://www.indianacountyparks.org

Park Ranger:
Delores J. Columbus
Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority
401 Candlelight Dr.
Suite 234
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-2110
[email protected]
http://www.co.cambria.pa.us

 

Photos

Historical Mosaic. Photo by Mary Shaw.

Historical Mosaic. Photo by Mary Shaw.

 

Surface Reclamation. A mine dump formerly occupied this area. Photo by Mary Shaw.

Surface Reclamation. A mine dump formerly occupied this area. Photo by Mary Shaw.

Rexis Spur Under Highway. Photo by Mary Shaw.

Rexis Spur Under Highway. Photo by Mary Shaw.

 

Twin Rocks and waterfall. Photo by Lance Harshbarger.

Twin Rocks and waterfall. Photo by Lance Harshbarger.

Participants of the 50K Ghost Town Trail Challenge leap for joy after completing 13 miles of the 32 mile run/hike challenge. Photo by Lance Harshbarger.

Participants of the 50K Ghost Town Trail Challenge leap for joy after completing 13 miles of the 32 mile run/hike challenge. Photo by Lance Harshbarger.

 

2020 NRT Photo Contest Winner - Rail and Canal Trails. Photo by Cory Shoff.

2020 NRT Photo Contest Winner - Rail and Canal Trails. Photo by Cory Shoff.

Winner 2022 NRT Photo Contest, Trail as Photographic Inspiration. Photo by Jessica Marines.

Winner 2022 NRT Photo Contest, Trail as Photographic Inspiration. Photo by Jessica Marines.

Reviews

Favorite trail!!!

Beautiful trail! Lots of history, excellently maintained, and well used but not over used. Peaceful, open, awesome sections with beautiful vistas and the river is lovely. Tranquil and restorative to mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

April 20, 2020

 

 

Submit an Edit

Trail Managers: please use the official NRT update form to update your trail for any of the following changes:

  • Change in trail mileage through trail extension
  • Change in trail mileage through trail retraction
  • Change in trail mileage through significant trail reroute
  • Change to trail name
  • Change in trail description or use
  • Undesignation of trail (removal of NRT designation status)
  • Other significant updates

>> Download the official NRT update form.

All other edits can be submitted via the below form: