Stop at the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club’s clubhouse on the Lake Conemaugh Van Tour (photo by National Park Service)
Ranger-guided tours and special events are held from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October at Johnstown Flood National Memorial. These include van and walking tours, lectures, and flood anniversary commemorations. For a list of events and a schedule, see the National Park Service’s Calendar web page for the park. Tours are free, but you do need to register, either in advance by calling the park at (814) 886-6171 or in person at the Visitor Center on the day of your visit. You can also get information about events on the Ranger Programs web page.
PATH OF THE FLOOD VAN TOUR
The National Park Service also offers a 4-hour van tour that takes guests through the towns of South Fork, Mineral Point, East Conemaugh, and Woodvale on its way to Johnstown. An extended stop at the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club clubhouse is also included. The Path of the Flood Van Tours are only offered on a few select Saturdays from June through September. For more information, visit the National Park Service’s Path of the Flood Van Tours web page for Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
WALK THROUGH THE RUINS
Walk Through the Ruins is a Ranger-led walk along the Walk Through the Ruins Trail. Meet at the South Abutment Parking lot. This is typically held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from June through the end of September. Get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s Ranger Programs web page for Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
A JOURNEY AROUND LAKE CONEMAUGH VAN TOUR
From June through the end of September on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the National Park Service offers a van tour around Lake Conemaugh. The tour starts in the parking lot of the Visitor Center and stops at the north and south abutments overlooks of the South Fork Dam and the clubhouse of the former South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. Some of the original cottages of club members are also seen on the tour.
The only way to see the inside of the clubhouse is on one of the Ranger-guided tours. Due to time constraints, participants on the Lake Conemaugh Van Tour only get to see the main room on the first floor. If you want to see more of the building, take the four-hour Path of the Flood Van Tour or sign up for the annual Clubhouse Tour held on a select Saturday in May. The inside of the clubhouse is not renovated or furnished with period furniture, but it is still cool to be inside if for no other reason than nostalgia.
Inside the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club’s clubhouse in St. Michael, Johnstown Flood National Memorial
The original fireplace at the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club’s clubhouse, Johnstown Flood National Memorial
You can do this same tour on your own if the Ranger-guided version is not offered when you visit. The only difference—aside from not being able to ask questions—is that you get to step inside the clubhouse on the Ranger tour, whereas you do not if you are on your own. See the Self-Guided Tour web page here on National Park Planner for more information about touring the park on your own.
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Last updated on June 6, 2025
