Last updated: May 16, 2023
Place
Information Panel: The Point Kiosk
NPS / Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
"Worth a voyage across the Atlantic"
Explore historic Harpers ferry through exhibits, films, and ranger programs. Start at the Information Center here in the Lower Town where you can pick up park maps and brochures.
Civil War Life - A short walk from here brings you to John Brown's Fort, where Brown and his men made their stand against slavery. Experience the raid at the John Brown Museum through film and interactive exhibits. Immerse yourself in Harpers Ferry by exploring the town's restored buildings and their exhibits. See the park film in the Place in Time building, visit the Dry Goods Store and walk the armory grounds trail.
Picture caption: Information Center
Picture caption: Dry Goods Store exhibit
Picture caption: Armory Grounds
Ranger pograms - The National Park Service offers a variety of talks and town tours. Check at the Information Center for today's schedule.
Discover Harpers Ferry
Near the Visitor Center: Battlefields and Trails. Experience Harpers Ferry's tumultuous past. Pick up park trail maps and guides at the visitor center. Walk the Murphy Farm trail where W.E.B. DuBois marched for civil rights on the site of a former Civil War battlefield. Discover the story of the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry by exploring Bolivar Heights and Schoolhouse Ridge battlefields.
Picture caption: Murphy Farm overlook
Picture caption; Bolivar Heights battlefield
Picture caption: Schoolhouse Ridge battlefield
In the Lowe Town: Historic Village, Rivers, Trails. From here, take the free shuttle bus to Lower Town. Explore Civil War-era homes, industry, and shops. See where John brwn fought against slavery--catapulting the nation into the Civil War. Discover Camp Hill and the story of Storer College. Hike up Maryland Heights and enjoy the panoramic view of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Walk the Appalachian Trail or bike along the C&O Canal towpath.
Picture caption: Lower Town
Picture caption: Camp Hill
Picture caption: Maryland Heights overlook
Where Three National Trails Meet
Appalachian Trail (A.T.)
National Scenic Trail
Hike the Appalachian Trail from West Virginia to Maryland in just minutes by crossing the Potomac River bridge near you. The A.T. leaves West Virgnia here on its way from Georgia to Maine.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O)
National Historical Park
Descend the stairs on the far side of the bridge to reach the C&O Canal towpath. Hikers and bikers travel its level towpath along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberlad, Maryland.
Potomac Heritage Trail
National Scenic Trail
Trek all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. The Potomac Heritage Trail, a developing network of hiking and water trails, extends from western Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake. The Harpers Ferry section of the Potomac Heritage Trail follows the C&O Canal towpath.
Map caption: Harpers Ferry trails. Explore the trails of Harpers Ferry from the 2,176-mile long Appalachian Trail to the 1-mile Camp Hill hike. Hike to the top of Maryland Heights for sweeping views of the rivers. Pick up trail maps at park visitor centers.
Picture caption: Cross the bridge. Follow the Appalachian Trail across this bridge to reach the C&O Canal Towpath (part of the Potomac Heritage Trail) and the Maryland Heights trailhead.
Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Visitor Services
Robert Harper, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, John Brown, Stonewall Jackson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Frederick Douglass all visited Harpers Ferry/Bolivar--and now you! We hope you enjoy your visit to our historic towns at the gap in the Blue Ridge. Take a hike or a bike ride, float down the rivers, visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and explore our unique and friendly shops.
Dining and refreshments are available througout the lower town and along Washington Street in Bolivar. A variety of accommodations is available for those staying overnight. The lower town has a historic inn, Bolivar has a hostel, and bed and breakfasts are sprinkled throughout the two towns. Motels and campgrounds are on or just off nearby US 340.
Outstanding trails, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail, offer memorable views and the opportunity to learn about our nation's history while getting some fresh air. Outfitters and guides in and around Harpers Ferry offer guided trips or rentals for those interested in fishing, horse or bike trails, zip lines, river trips, exploring and history, or even hearing about our resident ghosts!
More information for visitors is available at the Jefferson County Visitors Bureau in Bolivar, from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in the upper town of Harpers Ferry, and from National Park information centers on US 340 and in the lower town. When you are ready to leave, Amtrak, the MARC commuter train, PANTRAN bus service, taxis, car rentals, shuttle services, highways and trails all provide connections to other places. But we hope you'll return to discover more of our towns and our beautiful region.
Explore historic Harpers ferry through exhibits, films, and ranger programs. Start at the Information Center here in the Lower Town where you can pick up park maps and brochures.
Civil War Life - A short walk from here brings you to John Brown's Fort, where Brown and his men made their stand against slavery. Experience the raid at the John Brown Museum through film and interactive exhibits. Immerse yourself in Harpers Ferry by exploring the town's restored buildings and their exhibits. See the park film in the Place in Time building, visit the Dry Goods Store and walk the armory grounds trail.
Picture caption: Information Center
Picture caption: Dry Goods Store exhibit
Picture caption: Armory Grounds
Ranger pograms - The National Park Service offers a variety of talks and town tours. Check at the Information Center for today's schedule.
Discover Harpers Ferry
Near the Visitor Center: Battlefields and Trails. Experience Harpers Ferry's tumultuous past. Pick up park trail maps and guides at the visitor center. Walk the Murphy Farm trail where W.E.B. DuBois marched for civil rights on the site of a former Civil War battlefield. Discover the story of the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry by exploring Bolivar Heights and Schoolhouse Ridge battlefields.
Picture caption: Murphy Farm overlook
Picture caption; Bolivar Heights battlefield
Picture caption: Schoolhouse Ridge battlefield
In the Lowe Town: Historic Village, Rivers, Trails. From here, take the free shuttle bus to Lower Town. Explore Civil War-era homes, industry, and shops. See where John brwn fought against slavery--catapulting the nation into the Civil War. Discover Camp Hill and the story of Storer College. Hike up Maryland Heights and enjoy the panoramic view of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Walk the Appalachian Trail or bike along the C&O Canal towpath.
Picture caption: Lower Town
Picture caption: Camp Hill
Picture caption: Maryland Heights overlook
Where Three National Trails Meet
Appalachian Trail (A.T.)
National Scenic Trail
Hike the Appalachian Trail from West Virginia to Maryland in just minutes by crossing the Potomac River bridge near you. The A.T. leaves West Virgnia here on its way from Georgia to Maine.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O)
National Historical Park
Descend the stairs on the far side of the bridge to reach the C&O Canal towpath. Hikers and bikers travel its level towpath along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberlad, Maryland.
Potomac Heritage Trail
National Scenic Trail
Trek all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. The Potomac Heritage Trail, a developing network of hiking and water trails, extends from western Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake. The Harpers Ferry section of the Potomac Heritage Trail follows the C&O Canal towpath.
Map caption: Harpers Ferry trails. Explore the trails of Harpers Ferry from the 2,176-mile long Appalachian Trail to the 1-mile Camp Hill hike. Hike to the top of Maryland Heights for sweeping views of the rivers. Pick up trail maps at park visitor centers.
Picture caption: Cross the bridge. Follow the Appalachian Trail across this bridge to reach the C&O Canal Towpath (part of the Potomac Heritage Trail) and the Maryland Heights trailhead.
Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Visitor Services
Robert Harper, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, John Brown, Stonewall Jackson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Frederick Douglass all visited Harpers Ferry/Bolivar--and now you! We hope you enjoy your visit to our historic towns at the gap in the Blue Ridge. Take a hike or a bike ride, float down the rivers, visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and explore our unique and friendly shops.
Dining and refreshments are available througout the lower town and along Washington Street in Bolivar. A variety of accommodations is available for those staying overnight. The lower town has a historic inn, Bolivar has a hostel, and bed and breakfasts are sprinkled throughout the two towns. Motels and campgrounds are on or just off nearby US 340.
Outstanding trails, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail, offer memorable views and the opportunity to learn about our nation's history while getting some fresh air. Outfitters and guides in and around Harpers Ferry offer guided trips or rentals for those interested in fishing, horse or bike trails, zip lines, river trips, exploring and history, or even hearing about our resident ghosts!
More information for visitors is available at the Jefferson County Visitors Bureau in Bolivar, from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in the upper town of Harpers Ferry, and from National Park information centers on US 340 and in the lower town. When you are ready to leave, Amtrak, the MARC commuter train, PANTRAN bus service, taxis, car rentals, shuttle services, highways and trails all provide connections to other places. But we hope you'll return to discover more of our towns and our beautiful region.