Tucked into the lower Shenandoah Valley lies Harpers Ferry, a small Appalachian town with no lack of history or beauty. Situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers between Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, the latter’s Easternmost town boasts a population of only 285, yet nearly half a million people visit each year.

With epic trails to hike, dozens of quaint restaurants, and its own National Historic Park, this unique travel destination provides visitors with the perfect combination of history, charm, and nature… as well as the ability to navigate through three states in three minutes, literally.

And being just an hour from Washington, DC, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia makes for an ideal day trip destination for East Coast residents. If you have yet to check this town off of your bucket list, we’ve curated the perfect travel guide just for you!

Visiting Harpers Ferry – What To Know Before You Go:

Getting There: Being avid road trippers, we have always made the hour-long drive from Washington, DC, but Harpers Ferry can also be easily accessed by AMTRAK and MARC Commuter Rail trains.

Getting Around: The best way to get around the town is by car, parking at trailheads and in Lower Town can be tricky. To alleviate this hassle you can park in the huge parking lot outside the Visitor’s Center at Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park. The Park Service offers a free shuttle that transports visitors between the lot and Lower Town every few minutes from 9AM-5:30PM daily.

Entrance Fees: Many of the attractions mentioned in this guide are located within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park where visitors are required to purchase a park entrance pass, which for one vehicle costs $20 for three days. However, if you have a National Park Pass, your entrance fees are covered.

Harpers Ferry Day Trip Itinerary

Begin Your Day in Harpers Ferry with a Sunrise Hike

If you are like us and strive to get a hike in on every trip that you take, plan to arrive early and beat the crowds to one of these iconic summits that overlook the town of Harpers Ferry and the intersecting Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers below.

Option 1: Hike Maryland Heights Trail

Trail details: 4.6 miles / 1,115ft elevation gain / moderate-strenuous rating
This popular trek leads you to the most beautiful overlook on the Potomac. It also passes some pretty cool civil war battery ruins that are decorated with plaques that provide more information about the defense of Harper’s Ferry during the Civil War. If you’d like, you can add another two miles to your hike by taking the Stone Fort Loop trail.

Parking for Maryland Heights: The Harper’s Ferry Station Lot is the easiest way to access the trailhead. This lot has 81 spaces, but can fill up quickly, especially in the summer. If the Harpers Ferry Station lot is full, you can utilize the shuttle or an alternative Harper’s Ferry parking lot to access the trail without adding too many additional steps to your hike.

Option 2: Hike Loudoun Heights Trail to Split Rock

Trail details: 7+ miles / 1,500ft elevation gain / strenuous rating
If you prefer a longer trek with more solitude, hike up to Loudoun Heights Overlook via the Appalachian Trail. This overlook provides a different perspective of the town, rivers, and surrounding mountains below. Check out the views we saw on a recent snowy morning here.

Parking for Loudoun Heights: There are about 30 parking spots available in this public lot that is located across the river from the trailhead.

Option 3: Hike Weverton Cliffs

Trail details: 1.9 miles / 567ft elevation gain / moderate rating
Located in Maryland’s South Mountain State Park, this hike is the shortest and easiest of the three, but still offers breathtaking views. If you prefer hiking at sunset, this one is a great option. It is rocky though, so be sure to remember your headlamp.

Parking for Weverton Cliffs: A public parking lot can be found across the street from the trailhead on Weverton Cliff Road. To access the trail from this lot, you can either take the Appalachian Trail out to the road, or walk along Weverton Cliff Road to Weverton Road (858). The trail begins with some rocky stairs that can be seen from the road.

Grab Lunch/Brunch in Harpers Ferry

After hiking, we recommend stopping by Guide House Grill for brunch. This rafting-themed restaurant is the epitome of a small-town roadside diner with a unique flare. The friendly staff here serve up hand-crafted, all-natural cocktails, and their delicious, made-from-scratch dishes served as the perfect fuel to quench our post-hike appetites.

The Rabbit Hole Gastropub is another great option for lunch. Located in Historic Harpers Ferry, this unique restaurant is decked out in National Park/Conservationist memorabilia and offers stunning views of the convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. In addition to their health-focused menu, they also offer a great selection of local craft beers – which is a post-hike necessity in our books.  

Explore Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

After lunch, visit Harpers Ferry’s “Lower Town“ and learn about the unique history of the area. This charming town has been designated a National Historic District by the National Register, and as you walk the brick-lined sidewalks and cobblestone streets, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back into the 19th century. Linked above is a map from the National Park Service that details all of the exhibits and “mini-museums” that can be visited while exploring this charming historic town and our highlights can be found below:

– John Brown’s Fort/Museum: Explore the old armory firehouse where abolitionist John Brown barricaded himself and ultimately fueled the flames of the Civil War

– Civil War Museum: Learn about the Civil War and Harpers Ferry’s role in it

– The Point View: Admire the intersection of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers through a gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You will also be able to see the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia from this point, as well as the intersection of several National Park sites.

– Jefferson Rock: Take a short hike to this iconic rock formation where you can take in a view that Thomas Jefferson described as “worth a voyage across the Atlantic”

Watch the Sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains at a Brewery

After exploring Lower town, head into Virginia to grab some drinks at Harper’s Ferry Brewing. This brewery is situated on the south side of the Potomac River with a view that rivals the previous hikes’ overlooks. Enjoy a cold beer and some delicious food truck concessions (we highly recommend the Taco Truck nachos) as you watch the sun sink below the Blue Ridge Mountains and recount the day’s adventures.

We hope we convinced you that Harpers Ferry makes for the perfect winter day trip destination, and that this itinerary helps you plan your travels!