National Park Service · WV
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
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.
Live · updated
The NPS is rehabilitating the stairway connecting the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge to the C&O Canal NHP towpath. The stairway will be CLOSED beginning July 27 for approximately one month while crews install the new stairwell. A shuttle will run between C&O Canal Lock 34 and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center. This will impact access to Maryland Heights, the Appalachian NST, and the Potomac Heritage NST.
Trails ranked today
Stone Fort Trail
Climbs Elk Ridge to the Civil War Stone Fort and artillery batteries on Maryland Heights, passing Naval Battery ruins. Steep and rocky; often combined with the overlook route.
Overlook Cliff Trail (Red Blaze)
Red-blazed route up Elk Ridge to the Maryland Heights Overlook, the iconic clifftop view over Harpers Ferry and the Shenandoah-Potomac confluence. Steep, rocky climb; the park’s signature hike.
Virginius Island and Hall's Island Trail
Easy loop through the ruins of Virginius Island, a 19th-century industrial community on the Shenandoah, with mill and factory foundations reclaimed by the river.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail through historic Harpers Ferry, climbing from Lower Town past Jefferson Rock and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters, the trail’s symbolic midpoint.
Bolivar Heights Trail
Short battlefield loop on Bolivar Heights, site of the 1862 Confederate siege and Union surrender, with open views across the Shenandoah Valley to the surrounding heights.
Loudoun Heights Trail
Blue-blazed loop reached via the Appalachian Trail, climbing Loudoun Heights to Split Rock with views of Harpers Ferry and the river confluence. Passes Civil War earthworks.
Park advisories
The annual closure of certain areas of Maryland Heights for peregrine falcon nesting has been lifted as of 7/23/26. Climbing areas closed for the peregrines are now OPEN.
There will be a significant disruption to parking availability and circulation within the Train Station parking lot on July 27-July 30. Portions of the parking lot will be blocked to allow for safe use of equipment needed for geotechnical work. The Train Station will remain open. Additional parking is available at the Visitor Center parking lot, 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry.
Facilities staff are doing repair work on several buildings in Lower Town. Please follow signs for alternate entrances and heed temporary closures.
About this park
Agency
National Park Service.
Official site
Coordinates
39.3187, -77.7409
Trails covered
6 curated routes at this park.