Transportation

St. Michaels Sailing Charters offers visitors an opportunity to experience the Chesapeake Bay aboard Lady Patty, a beautifully restored wooden ketch built in 1935 on Maryland's Western Shore. Departing from historic St. Michaels, this Chesapeake Gateways Experience combines authentic sailing with interpretation of the Bay's natural, cultural, and maritime heritage. Each sail invites visitors to experience the Chesapeake as generations of mariners have, powered by the wind while exploring the Miles River and surrounding Bay waters. Small group charters encourage conversation with the captain and crew, who share stories about Chesapeake shipbuilding, working waterfronts, navigation, local wildlife, and the communities that have depended on these waters for centuries. Along the way, visitors observe changing shorelines, tidal habitats, birdlife, and historic landmarks while learning how the Bay continues to shape the region's culture and economy. Built as an offshore racing yacht, Lady Patty spent decades sailing and racing across the Chesapeake before transitioning into a cruising vessel. Today, the vessel serves as a living example of traditional wooden boat craftsmanship and Chesapeake maritime history. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Lady Patty Sailing Charters connects visitors with the Chesapeake Bay through recreation, interpretation, and stewardship. Each voyage encourages a deeper appreciation of the Bay's history, ecology, and enduring importance while inspiring care for this nationally significant watershed. Learn more by visiting their website . This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.

Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters offers visitors an opportunity to experience the Chesapeake Bay through sailing excursions departing from historic St. Michaels, Maryland. Aboard the sailing catamaran Epiphany, guests explore the Miles River and surrounding Bay waters while discovering the natural, cultural, and maritime stories that have shaped the region for generations. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters combines recreation with interpretation in a luxury setting with up to 13 guests. USCG licensed captains and crew provide engaging, conversational narration that encourages visitors to ask questions and observe the Chesapeake landscape firsthand. Along the way, guests learn about the Bay's estuarine ecosystem, changing shorelines, tidal rhythms, wildlife, and fisheries while exploring why clean water and healthy habitats are essential to the region's future. Sailing from the harbor at St. Michaels also provides opportunities to interpret the community's rich maritime heritage. Guides share stories of local shipbuilding, working waterfronts, navigation, and the role the Chesapeake Bay has played in commerce, settlement, and national history. Historic landmarks and scenic shorelines help connect visitors with the people who have lived and worked on these waters over centuries. By combining wind-powered recreation with personalized interpretation, Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters encourages visitors to experience the Chesapeake Bay while fostering appreciation for its history, ecology, and continued stewardship. Visitors are encouraged to learn more through their website . This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.

Evening on the Lake programs are select Tuesday evenings throughout the summer at 7:00 p.m. No reservations are required for these free programs. Our Evening on the Lake series is sponsored by Friends of Johnstown Flood National Memorial. 2026 programs: May 26- Alleviating Human Suffering in the Face of Emergencies: The American Red Cross’ Response to the Johnstown Flood and the September 11 Attacks. Join park rangers as they discuss how the American Red Cross grew as an organization, but its mission remained the same from the 1889 Johnstown Flood to the September 11 attacks of 2001. This program is presented by park rangers Elizabeth Shope and Sam Govan in the club house. June 30- We've Come a Long Way: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial Through the Years. We've come a long way in 62 years! Participants will view the photographic history of both Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. This photographic timeline will take visitors from the humble beginnings of these two parks to what exists today. This program is presented by park ranger Doug Bosley in the club house. July 28- Clara Barton We know her from the Red Cross, Johnstown Flood and Civil War. There is much more to this courageous and compassionate woman. Come to really know the person who is looked upon worldwide as the embodiment of the American Red Cross. This program is presented by park volunteer Jim Effinger in the visitor center theater. August 25- Insect Invaders: A Battle for our Park’s Native Forests. Invasive insects are changing the face of forests in the National Parks of the Northeast United States. These destructive insects are non-native species that have escaped into areas where they do not occur naturally and have no natural enemies, so their populations can explode causing devastation to our forests. Infestations have caused the elimination of large canopy trees such as our native ash, oak, maples, and hemlock species. This presentation dives into how these bugs are affecting our parklands and how the National Parks of Western Pa are fighting back against one of these species, the emerald ash borer. This program is presented by park ranger Margaret Speicher in the visitor center theater.

While Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, we’re also known to be a very popular spot for cycling; no matter your level of expertise. The grounds of Saratoga National Historical Park are open daily, year-round, from sunrise to sunset; cyclists are able to ride the tour road at any time, weather and conditions permitting. Check on updates to our operating hours to see when the Tour Road is open. Bikes must remain on paved surfaces and follow all New York State bicycle laws. Off-road use is not permitted. Bike Rentals Find out about bike rentals at Saratoga National Historical Park from BikeSaratoga. What to Expect BRING WATER! There is no water available along the tour road and fountains are turned off during the winter months. The tour road is a 9.5-mile, paved, one way road with a 25 mph speed limit and a multi-use lane on the right hand side. A bicycle is considered a vehicle and must follow the posted speed limit and one way flow of traffic. At the end of the tour road, cyclists will need to turn right and ride 1.5 miles back to the visitor center (if this is where you started). In total, the "battlefield loop" is about 11 miles and contains steep inclines and downhills. You will probably use every gear your bike has! Need a shorter ride? A service road is available just after the 5-mile mark; it is indicated by a brown and white sign next to the bike lane. NOTE: this service road is gravel and there is a steep hill; for your safety, please walk. If you decide to turn around and head back to the parking lot going against the flow of traffic, walk your bikes on the right side of the road or in the grass. Pedestrians have right of way in pedestrian/bike lane. There are 10 parking areas along the 11-mile loop for you take a break and explore the historical grounds this park preserves. This isn’t a race, so take your time and enjoy your surroundings. Watch out for wildlife on the road. Deer can be tame and just stand on the road as you approach. Whether you've ridden the battlefield before or not, be sure to check out our additional tips below for a fun (and safe) ride at Saratoga NHP!

Join a Park Ranger and explore the Blackstone River Valley. During the months of June, July, and August, park staff offer specialty tours at varying locations across the Blackstone River Watershed. These programs begin at 6:30 PM and are 60-minutes long. Please wear comfortable footwear and bring water. Most tours are outside and often include walking on uneven surfaces on varying types of terrain with no access to bathroom facilities. Bug spray and sunscreen are also highly suggested. Please Note: There will be no Walkabout on July 2. June 4: From Forge to Fortune in Northbridge Location: 50 Douglas Rd, Whitinsville, MA How did the Revolutionary generation in Northridge set the stage for the future of American industry? Learn how a small forge along the Mumford River gave rise to a textile giant and a blueprint for American innovation. Tour will begin near the historic forge building, located within the Open Sky complex. June 11: Seeds of Success in Slatersville Location: 101 Green St, North Smithfield, RI Why was this location, along the Branch River, chosen for a mill village? How did financiers, workers, ministers, and farmers make this a thriving industrial community? This walk will take us through the well-preserved core of the country’s first planned mill village. Tour begins at Heritage Hall—parking is available in a small adjacent lot and by the Town Hall. June 18: "Owning Our History" with Peter Laarman Location: One Benevolent Street, Providence, RI Gather at the First Unitarian Church to explore the historic church and neighborhood and learn how slavery built dynastic wealth in Rhode Island. This tour will begin at the First Unitarian Church (corner of Benevolent and Benefit streets). June 25: Stepping Out to Skull Rock Lock Location: 300 Quaker Hwy, Uxbridge, MA Discover the history of Skull Rock Lock and take a walk with a ranger from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Meet in the parking lot of Uxbridge High School in Uxbridge, MA. Meet the rangers at Uxbridge High School. July 9: The Transportation Revolution in the Valley Location: Plummer's Landing Parking Area, Northbridge, MA Explore Plummer’s Landing and learn about the enterprising people of the Blackstone Valley who built the infrastructure for a transportation revolution. Meet at the Plummer’s Landing parking area (bit.ly/plummerslanding). Expect to walk about two miles on rugged terrain with moderate inclines. Led with a ranger from Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Look for a small lot located off Church Street Extension in Northbridge. July 16: Heritage and Landscape in Hopedale Location: 2 Peace St, Hopedale, MA What defines a commune or a company town? How have the residents of Hopedale built lives in each of these types of communities? Take an evening stroll through Hopedale, a town with centuries of history. Look for a ranger by the statue of Adin Ballou - on-street parking is available. July 23: Prosperity in Providence - A Tour of Lippitt House Location: 199 Hope St, Providence, RI Step into Providence’s Golden Age during a guided tour of Lippitt House Museum. A National Historic Landmark, Lippitt House has one of the best-preserved Victorian-era interiors in America. Following the Lippitt family’s example of public service, today the Museum is a place where art, history, and community converge. Presented with Preserve Rhode Island. Seek on-street parking and meet in front of Lippitt House. July 30: The Rockdale Mill - A Historic Tribute to Centuries of Manufacturing Location: 10 Sutton St, Northbridge, MA In the 19th century, the Whitins of Northbridge, Massachusetts built a formidable family enterprise. In the 1860s, matriarch Betsey Whitin divided the then multi-faceted business between her sons. Paul Whitin Jr. took control of the Rockdale and Riverdale Mills. Join us as we take a closer look at the legacy that is the Rockdale Mill. Special note: this tour will meet at the corner of Rte. 122 and Central Turnpike (Curtain Factory Outlet is on lower level). Gather at the entrance to Mill at 5 Points – parking is available. August 6: Navigating the Blackstone Canal, Past and Present Location: Collyer Street Gate, North Burial Ground, Providence, RI Enjoy a guided walk through North Burial Ground with Annalisa Heppner. Learn about the flow of the Blackstone Canal through a trench running through North Burial Ground. Visit the gravesites of industrialists whose fortunes depended on the canal, and other local residents. Look for the gate to enter North Burial Ground on Collyer Street. August 13: Holocaust Education and Memorial Walk Location: 282 N. Main St., Providence, RI Walk to Memorial Park with Dr. Laura Auketayeva, Director of Education and Programs at Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. This tour will include a guided exploration of the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial in Providence, RI. Meet at Roger Williams National Memorial. Limited, off-street parking is available in the Roger Williams National Memorial lot. August 20: Revolutions in Ashton Location: 51 Front St., Cumberland, RI In 1820, a small mill village was constructed in present-day Lincoln, Rhode Island. Over the next forty years, Ashton expanded into a large community that experienced revolutions in transportation and industry. Join a ranger for a guided walk through this well-preserved Rhode Island system mill village and learn about the many changes experienced by this community and the people who lived and worked there. Please use parking provided for the Blackstone River Bikeway. August 27: Commemorations and Community in Pawtucket Location: 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI In August 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette traveled through Pawtucket. Lafayette’s very popular tour through the United States was an early commemoration of the country’s War for Independence. This walk will explore Revolutionary history in Pawtucket and discuss Lafayette’s extensive tour. Meet at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark in Pawtucket. Parking is available in a lot next to the historic Slater Mill.

Trails and Rails guides provide programs on the Coast Starlight daily through Sunday, September 27, 2026. They depart from Seattle on train #11 at 9:55am, arriving in Portland at 1:55pm. They depart northbound from Portland at 3:55pm, arriving back in Seattle at 7:51pm. On the Empire Builder , guides depart Seattle eastbound to Wenatchee on train #8 on Sundays and Thursdays at 4:55pm, arriving there at 8:50pm. They return from Wenatchee on train #7 at 6:45am on Mondays and Fridays, arriving back in Seattle at 11:30am. This program runs through Monday, September 7, 2026. The Trails and Rails program partners National Park Service volunteers and Amtrak trains to share stories about national, state, and local parks as well as places of interest along the routes. Learn more about this partnership between the NPS and Amtrak here: Amtrak Trails & Rails (U.S. National Park Service). Tickets for these trains can be purchased at www.amtrak.com or by calling Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245. (1-800-USA-RAIL).

The park store is operated by Western National Parks (WNP), an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. The park store has a wide range of books, maps, travel guides, media, educational games, posters, and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park. The park store is located in the Information center located at the visitor parking area. You may also visit the online park store . Y The Park Store at Bent's Old Fort offers many of the same trade goods that were exchanged for bison robes and other peltries at the fort in 1846. A visit to the store links you to the past when Bent's Fort was part of a thriving commercial trading empire. You can purchase replicas of the same goods offered by the Bent brothers and carried along the Santa Fe Trail. In addition to trade goods, books relating to the Fort, Native Americans, the Sand Creek Massacre, Westward Expansion, historical cooking, and the Santa Fe Trail are available for every age and level of study. Your purchases directly support educational and scientific research programs at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site.

One of the best places to experience the Chesapeake Bay is from the deck of a sailboat. Chronic Sailing's expert crews know the Bay’s winds and waters, and their charters explore historic downtown Annapolis and the Bay beyond. As a Chesapeake Gateways Experience, Chronic Sailing provides hands-on instruction and chartered excursions that invite guests to explore the Bay’s natural beauty and maritime heritage from the water. Sail under the Bay Bridge, pass the U.S. Naval Academy, view the historic Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, or find your way to the quieter coves and waterfront towns that most people only ever see from shore. Along the way, crews share the stories behind the Bay's rich maritime heritage, from its role in early American history to the communities that have depended on these waters for generations. Out on the water, the Bay's ecology comes to life in a unique and immersive way. Learn about the grasses, the wildlife, and the watershed that make the Chesapeake one of the most ecologically significant estuaries in the world. Experience the Bay as it was meant to be experienced, from the deck of a working sailboat, guided by wind, water, and the rhythms of the bay. Chronic Sailing also offers sailing instruction for all experience levels, from first-time sailors to seasoned boaters looking to build confidence on the Chesapeake. Lessons emphasize time on the water and practical experience, helping participants better understand how wind, weather, tides, and navigation have shaped life on the Bay for generations. From the rhythmic pull of the sails to the quiet movement of water along the shoreline, sailing offers a deeper connection to the Chesapeake and its maritime traditions. Seen from the water, the Bay becomes more than a landscape, it becomes a living system shaped by history, ecology, and the communities that continue to depend on it today. To learn more or plan your experience, visit the website. This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass . Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.

Locomotive Ranger Programs are given throughout the summer starting May 1st and ending in late September. The locomotives undergo periodic maintenance during the summer, please refer to our boiler wash schedule to see if one of the locomotives will not be available to the public. 10:00 AM Arrival of the CPRR Jupiter 10:30 AM Arrival of the UPRR No. 119 1:00 PM Demonstration run with both locomotives 3:50 PM Departure of the UPRR No. 119 4:30 PM Departure of the CPRR Jupiter Summer 2021 Locomotive Boiler Wash Schedule Locomotive Boiler Wash Date Return to Service ** Jupiter Tuesday, May 25 Wednesday2:00 pm, May 26 No. 119 Tuesday, June 1 Wednesday2:00 pm, June 2 Jupiter Tuesday, June 22 Wednesday2:00 pm, June 23 No. 119 Tuesday, June 29 Wednesday2:00 pm, June 30 Jupiter Tuesday, July 20 Wednesday2:00 pm, July 21 No. 119 Tuesday, July 27 Wednesday2:00 pm, July 28 Jupiter Tuesday, August 17 Wednesday 2:00 pm, August 18 No. 119 Tuesday, August 24 Wednesday 2:00 pm, August 25 Jupiter Tuesday, September 14 Wednesday2:00 pm, September 15 No. 119 Tuesday, September 21 Wednesday2:00 pm, September 22

Reservations are required for Heritage Hikes . The hikes take place rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and bring water. Hike information and dates are listed below. For more information including the meeting location for the different hikes and to make a reservation for the free hikes, please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150. Summit Level The Summit Level hike is approximately 3 miles in length from the head of Inclined Plane 6 to near where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville, near the head of Inclined Plane 5. The Summit Level was the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. Participants will learn about the inclines and levels of the railroad, how the system functioned, the town of Summitville, and much more. 2026 hike date: August 8 Staple Bend Tunnel This hike takes participants to the first railroad tunnel in America, the Staple Bend Tunnel. On this approximately 5-mile round trip hike, participants will learn about the history of the tunnel, how it was constructed, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and much more! Several features from the days of the railroad, including stone sleepers and culverts, are visible. Please note, the interior of the Staple Bend Tunnel is closed due to a rockfall. Participants will still be able to view both sides of the tunnel via a path around the side of the tunnel structure. 2026 hike date: June 20