Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in 3 states.

In the park service’s words

At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can 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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hike Civil War Skirmish Lines at Harpers Ferry (1 to 8 Hours): Did you know the park has over 20 miles of hiking trails? The trails vary from easy, riverside strolls to four-mile hikes across Civil War battlefields to eight-mile adventures on the tops of mountains.
• Step Back in Time at Jefferson Rock (1 to 2 Hours): Jefferson Rock is a popular destination in Harpers Ferry. It is situated along the Appalachian Trail between the Lower Town and Camp Hill areas of the park.
• Visit John Brown's Fort: A visit to John Brown's Fort is more than seeing the building where John Brown and several of his followers barricaded themselves in 1859. The building has a complex history that begins in 1848, continues through to today, and includes four locations in Harpers Ferry and one in Chicago. We invite you to visit this famo
• Visit Jefferson Rock: Hike along the Appalachian Trail in Harpers Ferry, WV to see the view Thomas Jefferson once described as "one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature."

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Park museums/exhibits, the Visitor Center, and restroom facilities are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park passes may be purchased at the entrance station Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you would like to purchase a nationwide America the Beautiful pass, we encourage you to call 304-535-6299 before you come. Park shuttle bus hours are currently 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Lodging

• Information Panel: Virginia Lodge No. 1:

Getting there

Harpers Ferry NHP's Visitor Center is located off of US Route 340 in West Virginia. The park entrance is 8 miles east of Charles Town, WV and 20 miles southwest of Frederick, MD.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Park museums and the Visitor Center are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park passes may be purchased at the entrance station Thursdays through Mondays, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. If you are interested in purchasing a nationwide America the Beautiful Pass, please call 304-535-6299 before you come. Park shuttle bus hours begin at 9 a.m. daily, though the end time for buses varies by season.
• [Lower Town Information Center](): Closed. The Lower Town Information Center is currently closed. Maps and information are available at the nearby "Place in Time" exhibit, a few doors down the street towards the shuttle bus stop, or at the park's Visitor Center, located at 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

Weather

Harpers Ferry experiences all four seasons - the cold and snow of winter, the rain and flowers of spring, the humidity and sunshine of summer, and the chill and leaf change of fall. We will strive to keep you up-to-date as Harpers Ferry's landscape changes with the seasons. To see the current weather or the forecasted weather for Harpers Ferry, please visit the National Weather Service site and set the zip code to 25425.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 64 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.