Staple Bend Tunnel Trail

The Staple Bend Tunnel is in a Pennsylvania town called Mineral Point, and when it was finished in 1833, it was advertised as the first railroad tunnel in the United States, and only the third tunnel of any kind in the country. The Staple Bend Tunnel Trail is a 2.5-mile path that leads to the 900-foot tunnel, and because the tunnel is no longer in use, it's open for tourists to walk through. This easy hike can be done with your whole family, and it only takes about an hour each way.

The hike leading to the tunnel is level and paved, and in addition to visitors on foot, it's also popular with cyclists. Your pooch can accompany you on this hike as long as they remain on a leash and you clean up after them.

At the trailhead, you'll find restrooms, picnic tables, and information kiosks. There's no water along the way, so be sure to bring something for you and Sparky to drink. There aren't any doggie bags along the trail, so a supply of those is always a good idea, too!

During your hike, you'll enjoy a flat stone-dust trail with slight inclines that are ideal for those new to hiking. The majority of the walk goes through wooded areas where you'll be surrounded by beautiful trees and a variety of other plant species. Along the trail, you'll see several information signs that provide visitors with interesting facts about the Staple Bend Tunnel and Trail.

Some light is visible through the entire tunnel, so visitors aren't required to bring flashlights. Cyclists are asked to dismount before entering the tunnel because the darkness can be disorienting.

This historic and interesting trail is a beautiful place to spend a few hours and get some exercise with the two and four-legged members of your family in southwestern Pennsylvania.