The following info is intended to assist visitors with locating access points to the Armstrong Trail. They are not a substitute for a good map. Access points are listed from south to north starting in Ford City, Armstrong County and ending in Templeton, Armstrong County.
Ford City
From Pittsburgh, PA 28 North: Take PA 28 North to the Graff Bridge crossing the Allegheny River look for signs directing you Ford City. The bridge possesses a right hand off ramp about half way across. Take this ramp to PA 66 South. Exit right from PA 66 at the next intersection by Riverside Market. Take the first right after the exit, travel 2 blocks and take a left onto Third Avenue. The developed section of the trail starts at 14th street and continues south for 1.4 miles.
From PA 66 North and South: Exit PA 66 at the Ford City intersection by Riverside Market. Turn to the direction opposite Riverside Market. Take the first right after the exit, travel 2 blocks and take a left onto Third Avenue. The developed section of the trail starts at 14th street and continues south for 1.4 miles.
From US 422 East and West and PA 28 South: Take PA 66 South Exit on the east side of the Allegheny River. Exit right from PA SR 66 at the next intersection by Riverside Market. Take the first right after the exit, travel 2 blocks and take a left onto Third Avenue. The developed section of the trail starts at 14th Street and continues south for 1.4 miles.
Suggested Ford City parking areas are:
Next to the 14th Street ramp (this is limited in size)
Side streets in close proximity. Be considerate of residents!
Ford City has wide streets and beautiful architecture, shops, and restaurants. If you are accustomed to riding on the road, take time to explore the town.
Kittanning
From US 422 East/West, PA 66 North/South, PA 28 North/South: Take the exit marked Kittanning Business on the east side of the Allegheny River. Follow the exit ramp and short expressway to a stop light near the bottom of the hill. At the light you have the following choices:
Turn left and park at the Park and Ride. The Armstrong Trail is at the bottom of the switchback trail going downhill from the Park and Ride
Continue straight through the intersection and take the first right at King’s Bowling Lanes. The trail and parking is in the rear of the bowling alley.
Continue straight on South Water Street to Market Street ( the Kittanning Citizen’s Bridge will be to the left) Turn right onto Market Street and continue 3 blocks. Market Street crosses the Armstrong Trail at the 3rd intersection. The Armstrong County Courthouse parking lot is located just past the trail on the right.
Municipal lots in Kittanning
Side Streets in close proximity. Be considerate of the residents!
Kittanning is a great town to explore with shops, restaurants, architecture and other attractions. The John P. Murtha Riverfront Park has numerous events scheduled throughout the year.
Canfield – Holmes Sanctuary/ Bernie Snyder Picnic Area
From US 422 East/West, PA SR 66 North/South, PA SR 28 North/South· Take the exit marked Kittanning Business on the east side of the Allegheny River. Follow the exit ramp and short expressway to a stop light near the bottom of the hill. Continue straight onto South Water Street to Market Street ( the Kittanning Citizen’s Bridge will be to the left). Turn right onto Market Street and continue 4 blocks. Market Street crosses the Armstrong Trail at the 3rd intersection. The Armstrong County Courthouse parking lot is located just past the trail on the right.
Take the first left after passing the Courthouse and travel on Oak Avenue (PA SR 1033) towards Templeton. Oak Avenue will become Johnston Avenue. Approximately 3 miles past the Courthouse SR 1033 crosses over Cowanshannock Creek and you can turn right and find parking on the left at the Sanctuary/ Picnic Area or continue a few hundred feet to the PA Fish and Boat Commission Launch parking on the right. The trail is located between the Allegheny River and SR 1033.
With a few short intermittent exceptions the Armstrong Trail has a finished smooth surface at this location and continues for 4.5 miles upstream and 8.5 miles downstream.
Templeton
This town is located approximately 6 miles past the Canfield Holmes Sanctuary. Continue past the Sanctuary on SR 1033 about 2 miles and go under a train trestle and over Pine Creek. Bear to the right immediately after crossing Pine Creek and follow SR 1031 and the signs to Templeton. Pass the Nautical Mile Marina and continue into town following the meandering SR 1031 through town to the Templeton Post Office. Turn right at the Templeton Post Office onto Allegheny Avenue . Continue on Allegheny Avenue until the Armstrong Trail is next to you. Parking at the PA Fish and Boat Commission Launch Area is two blocks ahead.
The trail has a finished smooth crushed stone surface for one mile upstream from this point.
Redbank
Continuing north on SR 1031 from Templeton, turn left onto SR 1003 as you start to leave town. Look for signs for Lock and Dam #9. Follow this road up from the river valley to the village of Widnoon. Turn left at the “T” onto SR 1004 at the stop sign that is adjacent to the Widnoon General Store. Follow SR 1004 through the village of Tidal and turn right onto SR 1002. Follow SR 1002 to its end at the mouth of Redbank Creek. Please do not block the gate when parking at the cul de sac. The trail surface is rough with much of the original ballast in place.
Lawsonham
From the Widnoon General Store, turn left onto SR 1004. Drive approximately 1/8 of a mile, turning right onto SR 1003. Follow 1003 to and through the village of Lawsonham. You are now in Clarion County. The road crosses a still-active part of the Lawsonham Railroad, and travels uphill for approximately ¼ mile, intersecting SR 3004. Follow 3004 to the next four-way intersection, which is Pin Oak Road, Township Road (TR) 456. Turn left onto Pin Oak Road, continuing straight through as the road goes from pavement to dirt. There is a parking facility located at the end of the township road. The Lawsonham section has a primitive ballast surface, but is one of the most beautiful sections of the trail system.
Phillipston
From East Brady –Take PA 68 north for 2 ½ miles. Look for the sign for Phillipston on the right. Take the road for Phillipston, SR 2023, down the hill to the village of Phillipston. Take the first left in Phillipston to the end of Apple Street. Park in the field to the right next to the post and cable barrier. Please do not park in the way of the gate. Be respectful of adjacent land owners.
East Brady
From PA 68 North/South: Follow PA 68 until it becomes 3rd Street. From 3rd Street turn onto Grant Street, then left onto Sixth Street. A parking facility is located adjacent to a ball field on the southern side of town. The trail goes southward from the lot, eventually connecting with a local road. This is a shared-use area, open to local traffic. Please be on the lookout for cars and ATVs. Follow this road past a gate adjacent to the river. This is where the trail picks up again.
Catfish
From PA 68 North/South – Approximately 3 miles from East Brady look for the sign for Sarah Furnace and turn west onto SR 3006. Follow the road to the bottom of the hill and turn left into the parking area before crossing Catfish Run the trail is accessed by traveling past the gate. Please do not block the gate when parking. This section of the trail does not currently connect with the trail south of the tunnel due to the tunnel being closed. This section of the trail has a rough ballast surface.
Ford City Rails-to-Trails
Upon entering into Ford City continue on RT 228 (5th Avenue) until you reach Magistrate Gary DeComo's office. Park in parking lot across the street from there near the rails-to-trails for registration.
Armstrong Trail (Mosgrove)
Parking area by trestle over Allegheny River at Mosgrove. Approx. 3.7 miles upstream on East bank of Allegheny River from Kittanning on River Road.