Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Address:Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Tel: (304) 535-6029

Step into the past when you visit a quaint, historic community in beautiful West Virginia. Walk down picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike trails and battlefields. With a wide variety of experiences for visitors of all ages, it's easy to make it a day at Harpers Ferry!

Located at the stunning meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, Harpers Ferry is where John Brown led his heroic insurrection against slavery, the first successful American railroad was built, and is the historic site of the largest surrender of U.S. troops during the Civil War. Harpers Ferry is also the town which boasts one of the earliest integrated schools in the U.S., established mainly for former African American slaves. Great American leaders visited Harpers Ferry and left their mark, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, John Brown, Stonewall Jackson, and Frederick Douglass.

Harpers Ferry is brimming with nature and history, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the historic town to the rushing waters of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Today, the town still looks as it did during the Civil War, with a mixture of historic events and recreational activities which draw about one million visitors annually. Walk down the old streets and enjoy the homes which have been converted to shops, restaurants, and art galleries, or check out the exhibits and interpretive displays set up all around the area. Take in some fresh air by walking and hiking the many trails which wind throughout Harpers Ferry, or if you're looking for more adventure, try tubing or kayaking on the Shenandoah River!

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is located along US Route 340 approximately 65 miles west of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD. From Northern Virginia take I-495 to exit 45 (left exit) which brings you to VA-267 West. Stay in the local lanes and take exit 1 (VA-7 West, toward Lessburg/Warrenton. Exit at VA-9 toward Hillsboro/Carles Town, West Virginia. Merge onto the Charles Town Pike (VA-9). After 10 miles make a right onto Harpers Ferry Road and then a left onto US 340 (Jefferson Pike). Stay in the left lane and follow signs for the park. Harpers Ferry is also accessible by the MARC Commuter Rail and Amtrak. Spend at least a full day at Harpers Ferry, if not a few days of family fun at the beautiful historical site of Harpers Ferry!