French
DeutschHarpers Ferry is a historic town of 285 people (2020) in the northern corner of the Shenandoah Valley just inside West Virginia. It is a natural transportation hub: the Shenandoah River empties into the Potomac there. Three states meet there. East from Harpers Ferry, over the Shenandoah, is Virginia. North, across the Potomac, is Maryland.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Harpers Ferry is, for its size, as full of history as any town in the United States, with the possible exception of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A lot happened in Harper's Ferry (as it was spelled until the 20th century). Nearly half a million people visit the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park each year.
In 1859 Harper's Ferry was the location of the largest episode of guerrilla warfare in American history up to that point. A group of abolitionists led by John Brown attacked an armory in the town, hoping to get weapons for a slave revolt. There was a battle with Brown and his followers on the one side, and federal troops commanded by Robert E. Lee on the other side. While the attack failed and Brown was hanged shortly thereafter, it is said to have contributed greatly to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.
Visitors to Harpers Ferry should be aware that the topic of John Brown is a sensitive one. He was not seen as a hero to the pro-slavery white population.
A comic historical novel about Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry is Flashman and the Angel of the Lord.
Visitor information
[edit | edit source]- Jefferson County Welcome Center, 37 Washington Ct, ☏ +1 304-535-2627.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By car
[edit | edit source]Harpers Ferry is located at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, where the states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia meet. To reach it, take Interstate 70 to Frederick Maryland, and exit on US 340 west for about 15 miles.
- Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline Drive (Located near US 340), toll-free: +1 304 535-6029. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. National Park Service $15. The center offers paid parking, walking trails, and is near the KOA campground; busses served:
- NPS shuttle bus. DST: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM EST: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. National Park Service Free. Runs between Lower Town and the visitor center.
By train
[edit | edit source]- 1 Harpers Ferry station, 112 Potomac St (Potomac Street & Shenandoah Street).
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. Routes stopping at Harpers Ferry:
- Floridian operates daily between Chicago and Tampa or Miami including stops in South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Alliance, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, and Rockville.
- Maryland Transit Administration MARC commuter trains from Washington D.C., operating several times per weekday
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. Routes stopping at Harpers Ferry:
By bus
[edit | edit source]- Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, 446 Novak Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25405, toll-free: +1 304-263-0876. 5:00 AM - 8:45 PM, M-F 9:00 AM - 5:45 PM, Sa. $2.00-$3.50. Route 20 from Harpers Ferry to Charles Town with limited service to Martinsburg. The bus route serves Walmart, Martins, Charles Towers, and the Court House.
Walk
[edit | edit source]Harpers Ferry is located along the Appalachian Trail, as well as the C & O Canal trail. Since it is at the crossroads of these two trails, it is an extremely popular starting or ending point for backpackers.
See
[edit | edit source]
- 1 Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, ☏ +1 304-535-6029. $10 per vehicle; $5 per person on foot or bicycle.
- 2 Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, 799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. daily 9AM-5PM, shorter Tu/W. Accepts hiker packages for a suggested $5 donation. Most thru-hikers stop here anyway for the traditional photo.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 River Riders, 408 Alstadts Hill Rd (US 340 south of Harpers Ferry, Millville Rd, 3/10 mile to left on Alstadts Hill Rd, 4/10 mile on right), ☏ +1 304-535-2663. 9AM-5PM. Rafting, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing adventures on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers (class I-III), plus a zip line/canopy tour: various-length zips through the trees above the Potomac, geared toward those roughly age 10+ and 70-250 lbs (2-2½ hour tour, ~$75/person). Also has a retail shop selling canoes, kayaks, rafting and river equipment. $30-75 per person.
- River activities White water rafting, canoeing, inner tubing.
- Backpacking The Appalachian Trail passes through Harpers Ferry.
- 2 Harpers Ferry Marina -boat ramp /river access, 1816 Potomac St (pass available at River Riders), ☏ +1 304-535-2663. 9AM-5PM. A beautiful deep water section of the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County is available for your boating pleasure. A four-mile section of deep water runs from our campground to above the Dargan Bend Boat Ramp in Maryland. Pontoon boats, fishing boats, water skiing, wake boarding, and jet skis are welcome. Pitch your tent and tie your boat up out front. Bring your RV as well. There are no hook-ups, but for those willing to rough-it, it is a beautiful unique location $25 per year.
- 3 River & Trail Outfitters, 604 Valley Road, Knoxville, ☏ +1-301-695-5177, toll-free: +1-888-446-7529, [email protected]. 9AM-5PM. Outdoor adventure outfitter with whitewater rafting tours on both the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Other outdoor activities include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, climbing and camping. Canoes, kayaks, and rafting equipment available for rent and sale; guided trips offered. Varies on activity.
- 4 Tubing Down the Shenandoah River, 90 Millville Road, ☏ +1 301 834 9950. hours and dates vary; see schedule online. Sit in a one-person inner tube and spend an hour or two slowly drifting down the picturesque Shenandoah River. There are several outfitters to choose from, such as River & Trail Outfitters, which provides the tube, a life jacket, and a bus to the site. $21-45 per person.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Harpers Ferry Post Office, 1010 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. M-F 8AM-1PM, Sa 9AM-12PM. USPS office; use General Delivery addressed to yourself.
- 2 The Outfitter at Harpers Ferry, 189 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. daily 10AM-6PM. Outdoor gear and bike shop with hiking/outdoors equipment, Harpers Ferry memorabilia and gifts, snacks, and knives. Accepts hiker packages via UPS/FedEx or USPS (PO Box 1231) — send well ahead of arrival.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Cannonball Deli, 148 High Street, ☏ +1 304-535-1762. A hole in the wall with delicious and varied choices, including gyros, subs, hamburgers, and pasta. Popular with National Park Rangers on lunch breaks.
- 2 The Anvil Restaurant, 1290 W Washington St, ☏ +1 304-535-2582. W-Su 11AM-9PM. Washington Street. Rustic casual dining and cocktails.
- 3 The Country Cafe, 1715 W. Washington St., ☏ +1 304-535-2327. Tu-Su 7AM-3PM, closed M. Casual cafe serving breakfast and lunch since 1989.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- Harpers Ferry Vacation Rental. $150-300.
- 1 The Jackson Rose B&B, 1167 Washington St, ☏ +1 304-535-1528. Historic home and former Civil War headquarters of Stonewall Jackson.
- 2 The Anglers Inn, 867 Washington St, ☏ +1 304 535-1239. 1900s Victorian home. Guided fishing trips available. $85-115.
- 3 Between The Rivers B&B, 597 E Ridge St, ☏ +1 304-535-2768. Private guest cottage in historic Harpers Ferry $125-150.
- 4 Cross Trails Hostel, 19123 Sandy Hook Road, Knoxville, Maryland. Just up the hill from the C&O Canal Towpath and the Appalachian Trail, the Cross Trails Hostel is in Knoxville, MD, two miles from the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Free pancake breakfast and internet access. Camping available outside for $15 per person. $30.
Camping
[edit | edit source]- Camping Harpers Ferry (off US340 west of Harpers Ferry National Park check in at River Riders). 30 waterfront tent or trailer sites on the Potomac River. primitive $25.
- Harpers Ferry KOA Holiday, 343 Campground Rd (off US340 west of Harpers Ferry National Park), toll-free: +1-800-562-9497 (info), +1-800-562-9497 (reservations). 300 tent or trailer sites. Hook ups. $30.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Antietam National Battlefield, minutes away, it is one of the most significant battlefields of the Civil War.
- Shepherdstown is a quaint small town with upscale dining and bed and breakfast inns.
| Routes through Harpers Ferry |
| Pittsburgh ← Martinsburg ← | W  E | → Rockville → Washington, D.C. |
| END ← Martinsburg ← | NW  SE | → Brunswick → Washington, D.C. |
| Waynesboro ← Charles Town ← | N  S | →  →  / |
| Carlisle ← Middletown ← | N  S | → Bluemont → Front Royal |