Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry is one of those places that offers a little bit of everything—stunning views, rich history, and great outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking to hike scenic trails, walk through America’s past, or simply enjoy a peaceful day by the river, this park delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended for families, history buffs, and nature lovers alike. Nestled at the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a stunning destination that blends natural beauty, American history, and outdoor adventure. Our visit last Saturday was a refreshing and rewarding experience filled with scenic views, rich heritage, and plenty of time outdoors. For those who love the outdoors, Harpers Ferry is a dream. The park boasts numerous trails for hiking and trekking, ranging from short scenic walks to more intense climbs. A few favorites: • Maryland Heights Trail – Challenging but offers the best view over the town and rivers. • Jefferson Rock Trail – A short hike to a historic spot where Thomas Jefferson once stood. • Appalachian Trail – Yes, a section of this iconic trail runs right through the park! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just want a light nature walk, there’s something for every level of adventure. Be ready for a lot of walking, especially up hills and along uneven paths. The historic charm comes with some elevation, but the views and the ambiance more than make up for the effort.

A wonderful park with an amazing history and lots to see This park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, is both the town and the surrounding area, so visiting feels like stepping back in time while also being outdoors. Parking in the town itself is very limited, but the park makes it easy with a large lot outside where you can leave your car and take a shuttle bus in. The shuttle buses run continuously on most days with less than 15 min wait for a bus to go to the town or back to the visitor’s center. The ride is short and drops you just s hort walk west of the historic town. You could also walk the roughly 1.5 mile from the center to the town. We took the shuttle when we visited. When you get to the town, there are several sites to see from the railroad station and bridge at the lower lever to the Church and Jefferson rock at the higher level. There are restaurants and shops on both the lower and upper levels along the streets as well as several shops dedicated to the history of the town. It has an active railroad track with trains passing every few hours across the bridge and through the town. The bridge and overlook gives a good view of the rivers and the various groups taking the water route. Overall, it is a great place to visit and learn the history of the town and it’s people and how they helped America become the country it is today. Enjoy!

Harpers Ferry is absolutely beautiful and there is a lot to do! There are a ton of shops in the town with all different types of unique goods. You can really immerse yourself in history here. The homes, the armory, the train tracks, and even the streets really take you back in time. We really enjoyed our time here, but parking can be stressful. They offer a ghost tour that I can't recall the name of, but it was very informative and enjoyable as well. We will definitely be returning in the future!

We went on Labor Day Monday and the crowds weren't too bad. There were long lines at the restaurants and for the shuttle bus. To avoid the crowds, we parked at the National Park Shoreline Drive parking lot hiked to and from Hapers Ferry; about 1.6 miles in each direction. The hike has lots of steep steps so I would not recommend for small children or small dogs. The weather and the scenic views were perfect!

We reached around 8AM and it was a very humid and sunny day. Phew! Parking was easy to find, we had a pass so just displayed it on the dashboard and it got bent in the heat! 🤣 First thing we did was hike the “Maryland heights trail”. It was a very nice hike, not that challenging. But the view was amazing! I have added pictures of the top as well. We saw people do kayaking and tube floating in the river, but it was too sunny for us. We didn’t do it. After the hike, we visited the museums and saw movies. Outside was too hot but the ACs in museums felt so good. Everything is historic. We even saw trains passing by on the railway bridge and lastly we went to the Catholic Church and went home. Restrooms were clean and had ACs, which was a relief! Overall i loved it, maybe visit it again in fall!

It was a great experience. Lots of history. People was very nice courteous. Food and drinks prices was average. Lots of trails lots to do the shuttle was quick on time they were very helpful. Bring good shoes, the walk down the rivers was cool. The old canals. The Jefferson rocks is short steep hike well worth the walk awesome view.

Arrived on a hot summer Sunday afternoon. Plenty of parking at the National Park visitors center. The shuttle bus ride was easy and quick. Most of the town is easy walking but there are several steep streets and stairs. Several museum buildings were closed at the time due to water damage. Plan on about two hours to walk and see several of the exhibit buildings and overlooks. Several private food options in town for drinks, snacks and ice cream.

Great place to explore! You can spend as much or as little time as you want here exploring the different buildings at your leisure. Most of the buildings are ADA accessible. There is a free, accessible shuttle that takes you from the visitor center down to the town or you can take one of the trails. Lots of outdoor space to explore and plenty of parking. Very interesting history to explore!

Harpers Ferry is a neat and beautiful spot to explore. Parking is located above the site, where a visitor's center and waiting area is located. You can get maps, Junior Ranger booklets, and information here. A shuttle bus (included in the entry fee) is available to take you down into the historic area itself, or you can hike down on foot. One of our favorite spots was The Point, where you can see three states at once (stand in West Virginia looking towards Maryland and Virginia), and is where the confluence of two rivers is. We crossed the foot bridge to the other side so that we could also stand where three national trails meet (Appalachian Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and the Potomac Heritage Trail). Exploring the town is fun too. There are a lot of shops and restaurants, plus plenty of historic buildings and museum exhibits, including some related to John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Storer College, and life in the 1800s. There are also hiking trails and they have a regular groups of nesting peregrine falcons (so watch signage if you're there during nesting season!). The combination of scenic nature and rich history made for a fun visit!

The reconstruction of the 19th century boom town was exceptionally well done: Cobbled streets, two-storey buildings, some concealing public restrooms or a visitors center with a film on loop; the footprint of the large and small armories that drew Brown and his accomplices here, and a reconstruction of the firehall where the last stand occurred. There's a very moving plaquard explaining that although John Brown was tried and hung for treason, just a few years after his raid, troops of freed slaves fighting for the Union were on the same spot. Don't miss the gift shop: birders, historians, naturalists, and those who have children in their families will find something interesting!

This was my first time visiting here. We visited on a Saturday. Parking downtown on the street was not available, therefore we had to park at the remote Harpers Ferry National Park parking lot. We took a shuttle bus back to downtown. This National historical park is located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people. We observed the confluence of the two rivers from the observation point. See my pic and video. Here you can also explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your connection to the struggle for freedom, education, and civil rights at Storer College. Discover miles of trail in the Blue Ridge and along Civil War battlefields. Many of the structures here are historical. We arrived here at noon, therefore we enjoyed lunch at the Coach House Bar N' Grill, which I reviewed separately prior to this review. After our lunch at the Coach House Bar N' Grill and after walking around the town, we visited the historic active Harpers Ferry railway station, which I will also review separately next after this review. There are lots of local shops here for visiting tourists. Lots of tourists were visiting here during our visit.

If you're into history, or nature, or quaint places that are tourist friendly and you find yourself cruising around West Virginia, set that GPS to Harper's Ferry and get ready for a nice experience where you can have all those things in one spot. The town itself is full of shops and worth visiting for that alone. There's a visitor center with a highly efficient shuttle that will get you from there to the town and historic sites quickly, effortlessly and without charging you anything. Who doesn't love a free shuttle? An informative museum, a quiet and quaint Appalachian town at the confluence of 2 rivers, and some historic sites that relate to an important part of American history. You won't regret visiting here. Stop for sure if you're passing through.

Located off the Applaician Trail there are many interesting sites to see and learn more American History in Harpers Ferry. From Nps.gov "Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of formerly enslaved people in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States." A few spots: Harpers Cemetery - Robert Harper, the founder of Harpers Ferry, in 1782 set aside four acres of the hillside for a cemetery where Harper, his family and many others are now buried. Well kept, graves from 1782 to 2022. Right off the trail, gorgeous views Armory- produced over 600,000 muskets over 60 yrs. Was the site of John Browns raid to end slavery All that remains is field with historical markers for buildings Ruins of St. John's Episcopal Church - built in 1852 St. John's served as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War John Brown Monument - located where the original fort was located The point - rivers connect WV, MD and VA Storer College - Storer College was a historically black college that operated from 1867 to 1955. John Browns Fort - fire station that John Brown used as his base Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters -The main visitor center for the Appalachian Trail. It's considered the 'psychological half-way point' on the Appalachian Trail. The center has exhibits, including a 10-foot 3D map showing the entire East Coast, with a miniature replica trail shelter built into the back. Lower town has lots of shops and restaurants

Come into the park, catch the shuttle (comes every 12-15 mins and the driver is super friendly) and explore! It's suuuuuch a great spot! There's something for everyone! The Maryland trails hike was so worth the view! Definitely challenging! If you don't want to hike, there's a cute little town. They do the dorky little tours and stuff too haha. I want to come back and tube the river! Highly recommend! Will be back!

We finally made it out to Harpers Ferry on a weekend - easily accessible, but just note the roads are slightly narrow and on an incline when you get into the main historic area. You can learn more about the history at Storer College. Parking is extremely limited, as the lots do fill up quickly; I saw some families who parked about a mile out from the town, and they accept the mobile parking app for payment for convenience. Definitely a place for those who like the outdoors and willing to hike the trails; the scenery is beautiful, and it really does adhere to the state's slogan of 'Wild and Wonderful'! Not much to do in the main town, as I hoped that there would be more stores and eateries. +limited parking

Great hike! Great view. $20 per vehicle for parking. They have shuttle bus every 15mins from the parking lot to the town

I was lucky enough to come here on a Thursday and Friday in November so it wasn't too crowded. I came with my girlfriend and 8-year-old son. We loved it and highly recommend it! We started by paying the $20 fee to park at the visitor's center outside of town. The building itself is closed (either due to renovations or Covid guidelines leftover from the pandemic), so the visitor's center is now just a tent with a park ranger sitting at a table with some brochures. We did the walk out to the Murphy Farm which has a great vantage point overlooking the Shenandoah River below. Back at the visitor's center they have shuttle buses running every 15 minutes into the downtown. The downtown has a ton of historical buildings, many of which have small, free museums inside. If you love American history like I do, you'll absolutely love it. You'll learn mostly about John Brown and his raid on the town arsenal in 1859, but also about Lewis and Clark stocking up on supplies in town before their legendary voyage into the Louisiana purchase in 1803, as well as the town's history as a manufacturing town and site of a Civil War battle in 1862. The natural beauty of this area cannot be overstated either, with plenty of hiking nearby, including the granddaddy of all trails, the legendary Appalachian Trail. It's an easy day trip or quick overnight, and can easily be combined with other Civil War sites like Gettysburg. This is a must see for both history buffs and nature lovers alike!

Here are woodsy strolls, river tubing, AT crossings, present days business and birds of prey circling, and in 1859 was once three days of gunfire. "You are in the line of fire," says the interpretive sign near the monument to John Brown. Moved for the fourth time near its original site, the preserved armory fire engine house now known as Brown's Fort sits empty of everything but period fire engines. Instead of an interpretive exhibit you are at hollow ground. The town around you is a look back in time, before and after Brown. Formerly water-powered industry all now quiet. Shenandoah Pulp Factory is now ruins but still tangible beside a smaller satellite parking nearby. Junior Rangers can earn a badge here, and hopefully keep learning after their badge. A scenic river confluence where there was once much bloodshed stays with you. In all, a sunny yet haunting spot.

Difficult hike with some Rock scrabbling. Maybe we were going at too fast a pace? We were supposed to walk at 1.2 miles per hour for 3.5 hours. But we ended up completing it in 2.5 hours. The view was amazing. Worth it. Would not do again. To much uphill at the beginning.

This is rough one. Came with small kids. Didn't do enough research to know you had to park and shuttle in. Did that and hiked to Jefferson Rock. This was a huge non-event. Got up there and barely could see anything. Part view of a tiny part of the river. If you're into history or hiking the Appalachian Trail, you'll get a whole lot more out of this. Otherwise, please please please skip this as a check the box and say you did it stop.

This stunning National Park unit does a stellar job of mixing recreation and history! I love the feel of Low Town, the strenuous hiking options, the gorgeous scenery, and the wonderful (as always) NPS staff. It is very easy to reserve a parking pass in advance! Highly recommend this National Historic Park if you are in the area--or make it a trip! You won't regret it.

We drove to Harper's Ferry from DC around 8 am, and there were many hiking trails available! It was also terribly chilly during this time (November), so I recommend wearing multiple layers or bringing out that puffer jacket of yours for the winter. The trail head area that we parked at (the National Historic Park Visitor center) had free parking for us since we were military members. The actual trails weren't that packed but we did see a few different groups. We went to the Murphy chambers farm trail and then tried going into the city but the city parking is atrocious. If you are planning on visiting the city, go early and perhaps do that before checking out the trails, or, if you find parking, just park there and walk to the city from the trail. The city felt very touristy New-York vibe (since there were so many people) but had the ancient, eclectic town vibe all at the same time. It's a nice change in scenery from the DC trails, but the trail that we did was quite easy and not that fun, to be honest. There were some great sights we saw (check out the photos), but I recommend a more difficult trail if you're a moderate hiker. This portion felt very dog and children friendly. I also loved their mini arcade they had.

I absolutely love Harpers Ferry! So much to see and do, and so much history within. Whether you're a history buff, site-seer, or avid hiker - you will find your niche in this quaint little town situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. You can climb to the overlook at Maryland Heights, visit Jefferson Rock and the Harper Cemetery, St. Peter's Church - the oldest building standing in the town, or walk the C&O trail along the river. There are also a ton of quaint little shops, restaurants and cafe's to visit as well. Ample photo ops! The best part - a train runs through it! The only downfall -ONLY downfall - is the parking situation, but they have extra parking with shuttle services in other areas of the park. Definitely worth visiting! And I guarantee, you'll want to come again!

What an amazing day here at the Harpers Ferry national historic Park. We did the 2 mile hike uphill the whole way, to the beautiful scenic overlook. West Virginia did not disappoint with this place. A nice piece of history preserved for our education. I recommend it to anyone who can make the hike, but if not, the town is a lovely visit in itself. The hike is not an easy one, but worth the view.

We had a great time visiting Harpers Ferry. It's a beautiful small historic town. There is a big parking lot for you to park and you can take the shuttle bus to town. The staff here were friendly and polite. There were few friendly cats in town too.

Great historic little town with numerous exhibits and trails to explore. The shuttle bus is very efficient (runs every 5-10 minutes) and there's plenty of parking in the main visitor's center lot if you arrive in the morning hours. Restrooms at both, the visitor's center and in town near the shuttle bus stop are very clean and well maintained. We had a nice half-day of exploring the old buildings and shopping at the candy store.

We went on a Sunday morning by 8:30am. We parked in the train station and the parking lot there was already full. We got the lost spot. If you have a NPS annual pass parking is free if not it's $20. There is also a visitor center which is a bit of a walk but there are shuttles to go around once they open. We did the Maryland Heights loop. If you just want to see the scenic view just stay to your right and don't take any deviations. It's a good hike and the last half mile is tenuous. So just be mindful. We did the complete loop with the view point and it took almost 4.5 hours. The loop does not have any views but it was ok. Carry water and sunscreen. You will climb roughly 1500 feet.

Such a cool place to visit! Bring your walking shoes and make a day of it, with plenty of inviting restaurants, most with wonderful views! We had a great time with our 3 kids, our friend and her son, and had a great day exploring, having lunch, and having an ice cream to top it off! Will definitely be returning!

The Harpers National Historical Park is a national treasure, offering over 20 miles of hiking trails, around 4,000 acres of National Park space, historic buildings depicting life in the mid 1800's, and scenic views that are the best in the region. And not all views have to be hiked to. The Murphy-Chambers Farm has an awesome view, high up overlooking the Shenandoah River, which is an easy walk (less than 1/2 mile) from an on-site parking lot. Bolivar Heights provides amazing views of the Shenandoah Valley toward Maryland, making for great photo souvenirs when putting the cannons in the foreground (remember, cannons are only located on battlefields). Beside the grounds of Storer College at Camp Hill is the Appalachian Trail and Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Go to The Point and across the bridge -- you'll be walking from West Virginia to Maryland along the AT. The other side of the bridge is the C&O Canal, meaning that if you cross the bridge and down the stairs, you're standing in FOUR National Parks (Harpers Ferry, AT, C&O, and Potomac Heritage). Virginius Island trails (easily accessed from lower town), and Loudon Heights and Maryland Heights -- two of the most popular trails in the region -- are the only trails that must be hiked to. Other trails offer on-site parking. Note that bicycles (or other motorized or non-motorized vehicles) are NOT allowed on the trails. Bicycle riding is allowed on the C&O Canal. The downside of this Park is that it is not super friendly for those who cannot navigate uneven stone walks or cannot enter buildings with steps. Some buildings are wheelchair accessible, and those with motorized chairs will have the best chance at getting to The Point. The other side of the walking bridge has no ramp. All of the buses are accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles. Only service dogs are allowed on buses, but there is a great trail to walk puppy down or drivers can drop puppy and adult off in Lower Town and park at the Visitor Center. Also, visitors should be advised that parking in any other than designated parking spaces could incur a costly town or federal ticket. The towns of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry will ticket vehicles illegally parked on the streets or non-designated parking lots. The NP and/or towns will ticket cars parked anywhere on Shenandoah Street or Shoreline Drive, on any trails, or any NP spaces marked Authorized Use Only. The parking meters belong to the towns. If the meter runs out, whatever town you're parked in will give you a ticket. Your best option is to park at the Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline Drive, and take the bus to Lower Town. There is currently (as of 2022/2023) a $20 PARK ENTRY fee -- this is NOT a parking fee. If you park in areas other than the NP parking lots, there is a $10 per person walk-in fee. The $20 entry fee is per vehicle at the Visitor Center, Train Station, or River Access lots. This fee pays for upkeep and repair of the historic buildings, grounds, and trails. Fee evasion is dishonest (and illegal) and takes advantage of National Park areas that others have paid for. That said, the fee is waived for 4th graders and those who accompany them (go online to get a FREE NP pass for 4th graders and their guests); FREE NP pass for all military and veterans; FREE NP pass for disabled. And, seniors over 62 should get a lifetime pass for $80. Anyone local to Harpers Ferry (that means households within 75 miles) should at least get the Harpers Ferry Park Pass for $35 (if you pay $20 more than once, you've over-payed). An annual America The Beautiful pass will get you into all National Parks, National Forests, and other Federal Recreational Lands, including Fish & Wildlife, Corps of Engineer, and Bureau of Land Management lands which are open to the public. Passes are good for free or reduced park entry (for example, our pass got us into the James Town National Historic Site, but we had to pay a fee to enter the the non-federal run parts). But, back to Harpers Ferry... consider this as a great destination National Park, or quick visit if you're passing by!

This was an awesome historic site to see with amazing scenic views and trails. There are tours and a bus to take you to the site. There was an old advertisement in the rock. Train that went by along with railroad tracks from 3 different years. Many things to see here with history explanations. So cool to see original things from history!

Talk about an excellent spot (esp during COVID) for some fresh air and fall foliage. We didn't do much research beforehand so we were looping around for a good 20m until we decided to park in the upper lot, only to shuttle back down. Parking is $20 (good for 3 days) and, from what I saw, there are only a couple street parking spots around the train station parking lot area. I would highly recommend not wasting your time -- landing one of those spots is as slim as winning the lottery! All the other spots are either reserved or $20. No shortcuts! No worries If you park in the upper lot, though. It might initially seem a bit far; however, shuttles come quite frequently, and the scenic ride up/down only takes 5-10m. Props to you if everyone in your party has the time/strength to reach the top, where you'll have the ultimate view of the park.

Seriously this was one of the most enjoyable days on our trip. I really do enjoy a good bit of history and had learned of the Harpers Ferry raid so being able to stop in and see the place first hand was great. Although the day was blisteringly hot (one of those melt into the sidewalk days) we had opportunity to get out of the sun. We were able to park just up the road and walk into town along the waterway. Honestly, I recommend you park up at the NPS center and take the bus in. After a hot day of walking around town, walking back to the lot was exhausting. Although no one was at this small lot to take payment when we arrived, when we returned, there was a 'ticket' to pay the parking fee. We could have driven up to the NPS and paid it that day, but we didn't see it there, low on our windshield, for two days! I have no idea how it didn't fly away. We just mailed the payment in. When walking into town the buildings on this main road are museums. There is a boarding house, a mercantile, an archaeological dig and so on. Try the doors. If they are unlocked, go on in and enjoy. At the end of this road are a number of sites where buildings once stood as well as others still standing and the path that leads across the river and up the hill to overlook the town. I'm sure it would be lovely, but it was too hot for a long walk up hill. There are a number of historical sign boards near the river to get more information on the location. We headed into town turning left at the end of the main road and stopped into a small shop where we bought a beverage. There are a few booths in here where you can enjoy a coffee, pastry, sandwich or ice cream. There are a number of restaurants on this road and a little bit of parking at the train station if you can get a spot. The lot was full when we arrived. We took a stone stairway up between the buildings to the next street. Here are more restaurants and shops plus it looks like there are a few homes here. I'm glad it's still lived in and not just an empty park. We stopped in a restaurant here and sat on the deck overlooking the railroad station and river. AC indoors would have been comfortable, but we had a nice view and the occasional breeze. After that quick lunch stop we wandered up another street where we saw some root cellars. Taking another stone staircase up we came across a church. Sadly for us the church was closed the day of our visit so we weren't able to see the inside. Down different stone staircases back to the main road and a shady walk along the river to our car. This road is a small part of the Appalachian trail so now I can say I walked on the Appalachian Trail!

I'm surprised this park was SO packed because it seems off the beaten path, but it's a good combination of history lovers + nature lovers. We ended up parking in the grass as the parking lot was full and it was a long line of cars headed in. I think there's parking near the historic district, but I assume that fills up quickly based on quantity of visitors. There's a small visitor station and start of hiking trails and then a shuttle to the historic town park. The sign said the bus came every 10 minutes, but on the way there and back, once a shuttle was full, a new shuttle was right behind it (may be more buses on weekends). So it was great to not have to wait around much. The historic area has some old shop recreations, a few small museums, a few informational videos, then up the street are more modern shops/eateries. There was an afternoon presentation on the Harpers Ferry raid. The end of the street lead towards an amazing view of mountains and towards more hiking trails. The village itself doesn't cost money (just the money at the park to park). I would suggest leaving a good part of the day to see everything and if you want to do the trails, that's a whole other day. I think the historic park had a lot of good information. Especially on a nice day, this is a great historic site and worth a visit.

Beautiful historic spot in the eastern panhandle of WV. Two of my friends and I were having dinner in Little Washington, and this is an easy drive from there. The town is atop a hill, overlooking the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It is absolutely gorgeous country here. The town is a little boring (sorry!) and small, but I appreciate the history. It won't take long to explore this little town and there are just a few little shops like a candy shop and historic novelty shop. There are some restaurants, though I didn't try any of them. Just ice cream, which left a lot to be desired. Over-all a nice quick visit. If you're into hiking, you could spend hours here, trekking up and down the lovely hills and countryside.

There's a lot to see and do here whether you're into hiking, history, or tubing. Make life easy and pay the $10 to park at the visitor's center. I did some hiking on the nearby trails then took the shuttle bus into town. There are some interesting free museums in town along with a few restaurants (which I didn't try) and you can hike the Appalachian Trail as it goes right through the town along with a footbridge which takes you across the river into MD and offers still more hiking. Don't miss the scenic overlook in town, it's a bit of a steep walk but it's the best view in the town and with the effort. This place is perfect for a daytrip from DC so be sure and check it out.

Every ranger we met was super helpful. The displays were clear and well presented. We loved our visit here and we'll come back!

Last November I visited Harper's Ferry and still think of this place quite often. It is one of the most gorgeous national parks I've visited so far. You park at the Visitors center where you catch a shuttle bus to and from the town. When I went, there was hardly any visitors, I walked around the town and hardly seen anyone. My husband was stuck in training in Frederick, Maryland so I took the 45 minute to 1 hour drive to see Harper's Ferry. It was an afterthought to go because of the drive, but I am so happy I went. The drive itself is pretty scenic, especially since I went in the fall with the leaves changing colors. For a tiny National Park, the town is rich is in history and is located where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. The Appalachian trail also runs through, and I am lucky to say I walked a very tiny part of the trail. This tiny town has one of the early histories of the civil rights movement when John Brown and his men tried to raid the town's arsenal with the intent to free slaves and create an uprising from the South. Being from Hawaii, it was a little chilly for me, although the bus driver told me it was fairly warm for West Virginia. This is one place I would visit again.

What a nice park for a day trip. Short drive from DC and a change of scenery. The fall colors are beginning, the weather was perfect. We didn't have much time so we took a very short hike around and then walked through the town. Cool

An amazing step back into time at one of America's National Parks. Wonderfully preserved and clean. Plenty of parking, good food and drink, and great hikes that are well marked and tell the story of the area. I recommend going to the visitor center when you first arrive to get the lay of the land. You can also try rafting on the river when the water is up a bit ( easy, maybe a level 3) and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

I'm been living in the Washington D.C. area for a while now and needed an excuse to go to West Virginia since I don't think I'll ever have a reason to. Since the weather has greatly improved from this past winter, it only made sense I make my way to this quaint national park ASAP! Pro tips: 1) If you come early enough, you will likely get a spot in the town itself (not the visitor center). I'm talking 8AM. 2) If you're coming arriving after 8:30AM, I would suggest parking at the visitors center and taking the shuttle down. The shuttle is free, however, it's $15 per car to get into the visitor center lot so it would be a good idea to carpool. If you're in the military, it's free (just like any other national park)! 3) No need to eat anything in the little town since it won't be memorable. Only get something to eat there if you're starving. None of the restaurants or ice cream joints are that unique. It's best to bring your lunch and eat it at the Maryland Heights Trail overlook (great hike by the way!). 4) As I just mentioned, if you're coming here, you must do the Maryland Heights Trail. It is the highlight and you might as well not go if you're not going to do this moderately difficult hike. I did the Murphy-Chambers Farm trail as well (that starts from the visitors center) which was nice and easy. 4) You should listen to Take Me Home, Country Roads before, during, or after your trip. Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze Country roads, take me home To the place I belong West Virginia, mountain momma, Take me home, country roads If you live in the DMV area, you should definitely travel the one hour it takes to go to HP, get a good hike in, and reward yourself with a great meal after! When else are you ever going to go to West Virginia?

Harpers Ferry is such a beautiful place. The people are kind. The views are stunning and it's an easy day trip from Baltimore or DC.

We went here one day while passing through. We wanted to see the old historic area and where the rivers meet. Unfortunately we didn't get to see or do very much here because visiting Harpers Ferry is a logistical nightmare. There is no parking in the historic area - none. To visit, you have 2 options. You can either park about a kilometer away and walk to the historic area or you can park at the visitors center a mile and a half away and take the shuttle there. I heard the shuttle only runs once an hour (we were there in the low season, but still). The town itself was nice. Small and hilly but nice. The walk from the near parking lot is along the canal, so it is a nice walk. It would be nice if the town was bigger and had more to do, but this would only add to the town, and in its present state doesn't take away from the town. It's worth going there, just don't go too far out of your way to do it.

I have visited Harpers Ferry previously but never with the intention of hiking, which was my intention a couple of weeks ago. For social distancing purposes, there are some areas on the trails or at overlooks where it is hard to nearly impossible. Overall, however, this is a great activity during these COVID days. Parking is a hassle to be honest. I was able to park in the lot next to the train station, but it was by pure chance I got a spot. I did the Maryland Heights hike which leads to a breathtaking overview of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. IMHO, this was not a strenuous hike; however, there are ample places to stop for a breather if needed. Very few of the buildings (if any) are currently open, but most restaurants and shops are currently open for business. The one hour drive is well worth the trip! They also have bike paths, and this park is VERY dog friendly. Also to note, they are currently not collecting fees so take advantage (albeit a small savings) while you can! Harper's Ferry, while wonderful for tubing, is in and of itself an awesome trip!

So many historic sites in Harper's Ferry, many hiking trails (4 hiking trails converge), and water activities (confluence of the Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers)! Beautiful sights from all parts of town. Sadly, the National Park Service has determined that all trash has to be packed out, so there aren't any trash cans except in the shops/restaurants. This means there is trash everywhere & dog poop in the grassy areas because people don't have anywhere to throw out poop bags. I would encourage the NPS to reconsider this decision. It marred my 1st ever visit to the area over 4th of July weekend.

Beautiful place, very well kept, and breath taking. First time ever hitting the trail and visiting this park, it was such a beautiful place and nature sucks you in that I didn't realize we walked three miles in. If you decide to come out here, make sure you have shoes, don't recommend wearing flip flops. I love wearing flip flops but this is not the place for it. Bring a bag with some supplies--water, some snacks, and a first aid kit (you never know). Lastly ensure you have a fully charged phone and enough memory space on your phone because you're going to want to take a lot of photos.

Had a morning walk around the area. It was a cold morning. It's a beautiful scenery overlooking the river. Can't imagine that hundred years ago the place was occupied by the wars and weapons. It's now a place to tour and enjoy and learn about the past. It's probably better going when the temperature gets a bit warmer but not summer, because I missed the walk along the bridge. That would be nice.

Where do I begin... My day at Harpers Ferry was the day all light was sucked from my life. First, I was stung by a strange beetle whom I was not previously acquainted with. Second, my pant leg started to unravel the moment I stepped onto the property. By the time I left I was basically wearing a speedo. Third, all of the walking caused maximum chafing on my bunions..they started to crack and ooze which brought me great hardship

I visited Harpers Ferry 2 weeks ago in the middle of June. It's different. It's more of a historical park (as evidenced by the name) than your typical National Park. I was there on a Saturday and the park was surprisingly crowded. Here's what I noticed to be quite interesting.....there were more people visiting to do hiking around the park, than to actually explore and learn about the history and significance of Harpers Ferry. Most visitors seemed like locals making their way through the iconic "Lower Town" to get to the Maryland Heights Hiking Trail. I will say, the Maryland Heights Trail is probably the best part of Harpers Ferry NP. It's a 5 mile round trip hike with at least 1000 feet in elevation that ends in an incredible overlook descending down on Harpers Ferry. The trail was filled with families and friends and people taking their dogs along for the hike. It appeared like this was the most popular activity at Harpers Ferry. At the vista point, there'll be plenty of folks taking pictures of the scenery as well as sitting down relaxing, having a rest and taking a lunch break. I'd say the average trip time to do this hike is anywhere from 3 - 5 hours. Harpers Ferry is open daily 9am - 5pm. It's a $10 entrance fee. The best way to navigate the park is to leave your car at the Visitors Center and take the free shuttle bus to LOWER TOWN where there's about 4 street blocks lined with museums and exhibits that'll transport you way back in time. The shuttle bus ride starts at 9am and takes an easy 10 - 15 minutes. The last shuttle leaves back to the Visitors Center between 5:45 and 6:45pm. If you attempt to park in LOWER TOWN on your own, you may be disappointed as parking spaces are limited and the area seemed filled up by early morning. LOWER TOWN is the most visited area of Harpers Ferry although it's so small in area, it could take you 30 - 45 minutes to explore, ESPECIALLY if YOU'RE NOT a history buff! But the streets are quaint and they're filled with restaurants, shopping, gift shops and an information center. I'd like to also mention THE POINT....it's here where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet. THE POINT looks upon 3 states - Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. You can't miss this area and it's a scenic spot worthy of a few photos. Right next to THE POINT is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Here there's a cool sign saying you can hike 1,165 miles north to Maine or 1,013 miles south to Georgia!! Another highlight I'd like to recommend is JEFFERSON ROCK. It's sort of hidden in the back section of Harpers Ferry. From the main street of LOWER TOWN (Shenandoah Street), it's an uphill 1/10 mile hike up a stairway walking past the church to get to JEFFERSON ROCK. Here you'll discover a grand view of the area surrounded by lush green mountains, the Potomac River and the train station railroad tracks that pass through Harpers Ferry in the distance. I took some wonderful pictures here as the beautifully sunny day made for picturesque scenery. Also...although sitting on JEFFERSON ROCK is prohibited, you can take a seat right next to it (as plenty of people were doing) and it affords you a chance to take a pic sitting on a giant rock right next to JEFFERSON ROCK with the mountains and forestry in the distance. It was pretty cool for those who have an eye for photography. Most tourists only need a few hours to half a day exploring Harpers Ferry. For myself who enjoys hiking and wandering around, I spent the whole day here. This place is different and unique compared to the plenty of other national parks I've explored. On a National Parks scale rating, I give it 3 stars. On a personal level I give it 4 stars as I had a fun day walking around and taking memorable photos from the MARYLAND HEIGHTS TRAIL OVERLOOK, THE POINT and JEFFERSON ROCK. LOWER TOWN was a quick exploration and sort of an afterthought and letdown as the area is tiny. Finally, if someone mentions doing the Self-Guiding Battlefield Driving Tour to 5 different locations in Harpers Ferry, DO NOT DO IT! I found it to be a complete waste of time! Overall....for the traveling I have done, having the opportunity to visit West Virginia for the first time was a blessing. From Harpers Ferry, I then drove 50 miles south to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This made for a pleasant extended weekend escape getting up close and personal with history, hiking and scenic nature!

Went on a chilly day but it was beautiful out, walk across the train tracks to get this shot

Came to Harpers Ferry on a rainy day at the end of April. It was a slow, dreary drizzle that kept the day chilly but that didn't stop me from having a good time! The views in the area are really good as it's located on a hill on the tip of West Virginia, where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet. It's a collection of historic buildings and also some trails. The most famous of these buildings is John Brown's Fort. There's also an old train station where freight trains pass by frequently. I spent a couple hours in the park and at least 5 trains went through. The one thing is be careful where you park! The lot by the station was close to full so I parked nearby but didn't notice it was a pay spot. Anyway, got a ticket! Think it was $50, so like I said be careful! In light of that ticket I shouldn't give it five stars lol, but oh well! I'd like to come back one day!

Beautiful! It's a great spot to relax on weekends. I got energized and purified after walking around for a while. Location: Awesome! What a wonderful world! The great nature! Also there are many vineyards around here!

It was an unseasonably warm autumn day when this cool Persian princess invited me to hike. Maryland Heights is an extremely popular/moderately strenuous hike. Thankfully, we were hiking during working hours so it was a less congested. Sunshine was flowing in the trees and leaves bursting with color. Even with all of nature's beauty, I was aware of that ever increasing incline. Happy for the quick breaks to read the informational signage, drink water and observe Union Civil War ruins. We had everything except bug spray and maybe handheld fans. I was warm, so warm I ended up hiking in yoga pants and a tank top and insects were drowning in our sweat. Once we made it to the main overlook, I soaked up that fabulous view, then regretted not coming sooner. The wind was blowing freshness and energy...I hated to leave, but we wanted to get back before dark. Maybe next time, we will continue up the steep Stone Fort Trail. We visited some of the shops, got a history lesson on candy, and grabbed ice cream before departing. Perfect ending to a lovely day.This is by far, one of my favorite hikes.

The historical town of Harper's Ferry is a perfect stop for hikers, history buffs, and everyone else where the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia all meet, divided by the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The area which includes a path of the Appalachian trail is beautifully preserved and well worth exploring the many hiking trails and vistas. The town has a significant history, mainly of the tenacious slave Abolitionist John Brown. 'All men are created equal...' and the African people kidnapped and sold into slavery are to be included in the Constitution of the USA. Thus, the Civil War ensued... read your history books. Native indigenous people's history dates back 8,000 years. The Tuscarora were the last natives to inhabit the area until the Europeans dominated and took over in the 1800s. Today, the town is quite beautiful. I recommend taking the 45 minutes guided tour and reflect upon a part of America's legacy.

This is a must-stop tourist spot in West Virginia and is worth the brief drive from Washington DC. There's lots of history to be learned here and you can spend the day shopping, walking around, taking pictures, eating, etc. They have a great parking lot close to the quaint town and historical signage everywhere to explain the significance.

Without a doubt one of my most favorite hikes that is a short driving distance from DC. If you visit Harper's Ferry National Historic Park, do the Maryland Heights Trail hike (technically the route you follow is the Overlook Cliffs hike (4.1) and then the Maryland Heights). The views of Harper's Ferry will make it worth it. In fact, do a sunset hike here if you want to let nature take your breathe away, or if you want a hike that is very Instagram friendly. I did a sunset hike here while camping and biking in the area and had a blast. The hike itself is about 3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. With an elevation gain of 1,000-1,600 ft, it doesn't seem like much, but the uphill section is somewhat strenuous, much like going up a few flight of stairs, and it is wide enough for an emergency vehicle to go on (just in case something happens). For some reason ti was really sandy when we went. The reward after completing this haul uphill is a spectacular overlook of Harpers Ferry and the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The second part of the hike is kinda historical, you pass through a fort built by the Union forces in 1862 after their defeat at Harpers Ferry. The remains of the main fort are at the summit of Maryland Heights. A military camp was located in the level area just below the summit. Getting here is kinda tricky. Harper's Ferry on a good beautiful day is lacking in parking. If you get to Harper's Ferry early in the day there is parking by the AMTRAK/MARC Train Station. There are 98 spaces there, but they tend to fill up on weekends You'll have to park at the Visitors Center ($10 entrance and an ideal spot to grab a map or just print this: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/upload/TrailsOverview-VChere-2011.pdf) and take a shuttle here, problem is if you do the sunset hike there are no shuttles going back so plan accordingly. This is a must do hike for all the nature and history enthusiasts.

This is a must-not-miss !!!! Awesome place, great shops, beautiful scenery! Take me home, country roads!

We took a trip from near D.C. To visit Harpers Ferry National park. I had no clue what this place was about. Steeped in history, John Brown's fort is located here. After parking, there is a visitors center with maps and a shuttle that departs every 15 minutes. The shuttle took us to Lowertown which has hiking trails and shops, museums, eateries and historical landmarks throughout. You can hike parts of the Appalachian trail and see where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. The park is actually located in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and I could've spent all day here, but we were with 8 other people and spent only a few hours. The town is very quaint and I learned that about 350 people still live in the town. Would be worth a return visit to do some more in depth sightseeing and hiking.