The Union Canal Historic Landmark and Boat Tours

The Union Canal Near Annville Inn is an engineering marvel. It is studied by engineers coming from around the world to see a remarkable example of early 19^th century engineering in the USA. Moreover, the canal is located only six minutes from Annville Inn!

Step back into history by visiting the Union Canal Tunnel. You will experience what is undeniably the OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING TUNNEL IN THE UNITED STATES! The first boat to pass through the tunnel was The Alpha of Tulpehocken on the morning of June 12, 1827. The engineering marvel (originally 729 feet long) cuts through a very hard rock ridge. Workers dug the canal through the ridge that divides the waters of the Quittapahilla Creek and Clark’s Run. Drilling was done by hand and blasting with gunpowder. The Union Canal once served as a crucial link in an important early 75-mile long waterway. Although the canal connected the coal regions in the Blue Mountains with the Port of Philadelphia, it was extremely helpful to our valley’s agricultural industry.

The Union Canal boats, once pulled by mules, are moved through the tunnel by pushing poles against the ceiling. The canal is 18’ feet wide and 14 feet high through a ridge of solid “flinty” rock. It lies 80 feet below the summit of the ridge. Its construction marked a significant achievement in early American civil engineering.

The canal tunnel, hand carved using only basic tools and gunpowder (not dynamite, it wasn’t invented until 40 years after the tunnel was completed). Construction was slow, about 15 feet a week during its construction. The tunnel was necessary because the hard rock ridge would have otherwise blocked the canal.

The genesis of the Union Canal Tunnel stretches back to Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn. Today, the Lebanon County Historical Society owns and preserves it as a National Historic Landmark.. The Historical Society offers historical canal boat rides through the tunnel, offered during our region’s warmer months. Meanwhile, one other authorized vendor can supply kayak tours: Cocoa Kayaks of Hershey. The boat rides include a docent, who takes the riders back through history, explaining over 250 years of history.

Surrounding the canal is 110 acres of pristine forest and pasture…honeycombed with walking trails and vistas of farmland and the famed Blue Mountains. First proposed in 1690, the canal had 93 locks, nine of which lie near Annville Inn in North Annville Township. The Union Canal was unquestionably a critical link in the economic development of our country throughout its active lifespan. Despite its critical role in the economic development of the east coast, a new form of transportation, railroads, began to lessen the effectiveness of the canal in moving goods from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.

The parking area by the canal features picnic tables, a pavilion available for rent, and direct access to the region’s exceptionally maintained Rails to Trails. Once completed, the trail system will link from south of Mt. Gretna, through Lebanon and Annville, Jonestown, and up to Pine Grove (in the Mountains.)

Although there is no documentation, oral history states George Washington visited the canal near Annville Inn B&B two different years: 1792 and again in 1794. He did this while he and his troops traveled through to help with the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania. (Too bad we weren’t established then…we could say that he slept here!)

In warm weather, Annville Inn Guests love walking the pathways and peering into the tunnel, and picnicking in the beautiful area where the canal, walkways, and the connector trail to the Rails to Trails pathway intersect. Of course, many also hop onto a canal boat for a docent led ride through the tunnel! In cooler weather, we’ve had guests enjoy winter hikes and X-country skiing in the park.

Park Admission: Free

Canal Boat Rides through canal and tunnel: Usually around $10. Check Website.

Private Tour Rides through canal and tunnel by advance registration: Check Website.