Harpers Ferry is one of those places that offers a little bit of everything—stunning views, rich history, and great outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking to hike scenic trails, walk through America’s past, or simply enjoy a peaceful day by the river, this park delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended for families, history buffs, and nature lovers alike. Nestled at the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a stunning destination that blends natural beauty, American history, and outdoor adventure. Our visit last Saturday was a refreshing and rewarding experience filled with scenic views, rich heritage, and plenty of time outdoors. For those who love the outdoors, Harpers Ferry is a dream. The park boasts numerous trails for hiking and trekking, ranging from short scenic walks to more intense climbs. A few favorites: • Maryland Heights Trail – Challenging but offers the best view over the town and rivers. • Jefferson Rock Trail – A short hike to a historic spot where Thomas Jefferson once stood. • Appalachian Trail – Yes, a section of this iconic trail runs right through the park! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just want a light nature walk, there’s something for every level of adventure. Be ready for a lot of walking, especially up hills and along uneven paths. The historic charm comes with some elevation, but the views and the ambiance more than make up for the effort.

It was my first time visiting and it was absolutely gorgeous. We did the Maryland heights hike, its been on my bucket list and im so glad to have gotten it done! The weather was beautiful, the leaves are turning, and it was quite busy bit it was also a Saturday morning!

Walked in from the visits center because parking in lower town is not available and the bus doesn't allow dog's. The walk is so amazing, along the Shenandoah River and railroad. Once your in town it is super quaint and beautiful. Had a nice lunch and walked is back. The stone steps leading back up the side of the hill are no joke.

Great experience. Arrived with our RV and had ample parking. Hopped on a shuttle leaving you at the base of town. Cute little taverns and shops. Adorable town. Visited on a Sunday afternoon and sad that the church was locked up. Why not leave it open for those of us wanting to spend some time inside praying? Cute town.

Just go! If you haven't been yet, you need to get there. So beautiful. Easy trails. So scenic and peaceful. Plenty of parking. And there's a free shuttle to the village. Loved it.

This parks is a must in this area plus visiting the little downtown. There is so much history and amazing views that you can spend a day easily. We just want to return and do hiking and keep exploring the park. Thanks so much to the employees that even without receiving a paycheck are willing to keep working and are keeping the park in an outstanding shape. You are real heros!

Great experience exploring and walking around this National Park. Parking can be difficult and there are many hills and stairs to climb to get to various areas. Overall a beautiful and well maintained site with lots of historical information and visuals.

Great view from atop Mt. Washington. Saw a few thru hikers on the trail. This trail goes from Stone Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. (Or vice versa). If you can't hike this, there are some books written by people who hiked the whole trail.

This section at the Height of Land overlook in Rangeley Plantation is just incredible! Beautiful views of Mooslookmeguntic Lake and the white mountains in the distance. Sunsets are amazing from this vantage point!

One of the most beautiful views Ive ever seen . I did NOT hike the trail, I was in Maine for a brief amount of time . We drove the Golden Rd. to the Green Bridge where you get a breathtaking view of Mt.Katahdin

It's amazing how many times a stumble upon the Appalachian Trail. From school trips up into Pennsylvania, my friends property near Camp David, MD, crossing the Potomac River from Sandy Hook, MD to Loudoun Co., VA and up the mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. I've hit spots in 4 states and close to 100 miles from most northern to most southern and, never straight through. It's amazing how many people use the trail and I've never seen any trash during my adventures. I highly recommend checking out your closest part of the trail if you love the outdoors like myself.

A nice trailhead, but the parking is very small.

It was a truly humbling experience to walk where so many folks have walked before, possibly seeking a settling of the mind, as I was today

My husband and I were at Roan Mountain SP a few weeks ago. We drove through the park up to The Rhododendron Gardens. This is just a tiny piece of The Appalachian Trail. We only did about a mile.

an odd little place to stop on your trip to harper’s ferry. entry is $5/person, but you can buy items in their small gift shop which count towards your ticket price. the worker told me the building is for sale, so go see it while you still can!

It was a fun time at this museum. While walking through the historical park there are plenty of informational plaques, but this took it to a new level. This was an immersive experience where you could visualize the events of John Brown's life, instead of just reading about them. My group loved this museum and we were so glad that we were able to go to it.

Not the highest quality wax figures, but the displays are very well done. The history lesson is also very interesting and is something most people likely don't know about American anti-slavery history. Very informative. Harper's Ferry is home to a lot of historical attractions and this is just one of them. $7 for adults, $6 for seniors/veterans. Six floors of displays depicting the life of John Brown and his anti-slavery raid on Harper's Ferry.

Amazing place! Kitsch in the best way. Friendly staff. JB Wax Museum>All the Smithsonians combined. $5 admission is deal of a lifetime. I would've paid my life savings to see Waxie JB.

A good history lesson, and still just as creepy as I remember it being when I was in the fourth grade. My kids (10, 12, & 14) all enjoyed it. The upkeep of the building left much to be desired. There was an strong mildew odor throughout, despite obvious attempts to cover it with air fresheners. Lots of peeling wall paper and floors in need of cleaning or repair.

The displays are in disrepair, the lighting is very bad such that you can hardly read the plaques on the wall, and and worst of all it's just kind of shabby. To boot, the displays aren't even that interesting. Several of the things on the wall seem just copied from the internet and printed with an inkjet printer. The best wax figure, John Brown with crazy eyes thrusting a bayonet, is visible from the street. You won't learn anything or get a good perspective on anything that you can't get from one of the many free museums around. If you like creepy wax dolls though you're in for a treat.

The owner was really nice. Very welcoming! This was a really great attraction!

Beautiful church with such history! Came for the 9:30 mass and loved the community and reverence. Visitors definitely need to plan to park off site and walk over.

This is a very beautiful church, and at first I thought it was just a piece of history, but turns out the hold mass every Sunday. A masterpiece of craftsmanship indeed. Went here on a 4h trip and everyone was talking about how beautiful it was even if they weren't Catholic. I'm Catholic and this is a church I would go to. If you ever find yourself in Harper's ferry, come to church here and admire the beauty and the mass.

Beautiful church with a commanding view of both rivers. Wonderful stone front, intricate stained glass and very solid doors. Be aware that services seem to only be on Sundays. As others have noted, there is no local parking, you will need to park at the bottom of the hill in one of the lots and walk up.

Beautiful church that is still active and holds services. Stunning inside! Everything was very well kept. The church is also listed as a historic site. No matter your religion it’s worth going in and seeing this beautiful piece of art!

If you keep walking up the trail you'll find the ruins of the old church

One of the most beautiful landmark in the history and glad to see it in person. Stone works so perfectly done. And from the parking lot. Can get there from an other beautiful stone stairs. Exercise for the day.

Unfortunately it wasn't open because of the pandemic but it's still stunning from the outside. Also beautiful views to the water. Keep going up the steps to see the ruins of the old church. Worth the hike.

Great view from atop Mt. Washington. Saw a few thru hikers on the trail. This trail goes from Stone Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. (Or vice versa). If you can't hike this, there are some books written by people who hiked the whole trail.

This section at the Height of Land overlook in Rangeley Plantation is just incredible! Beautiful views of Mooslookmeguntic Lake and the white mountains in the distance. Sunsets are amazing from this vantage point!

One of the most beautiful views Ive ever seen . I did NOT hike the trail, I was in Maine for a brief amount of time . We drove the Golden Rd. to the Green Bridge where you get a breathtaking view of Mt.Katahdin

It's amazing how many times a stumble upon the Appalachian Trail. From school trips up into Pennsylvania, my friends property near Camp David, MD, crossing the Potomac River from Sandy Hook, MD to Loudoun Co., VA and up the mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. I've hit spots in 4 states and close to 100 miles from most northern to most southern and, never straight through. It's amazing how many people use the trail and I've never seen any trash during my adventures. I highly recommend checking out your closest part of the trail if you love the outdoors like myself.

For this hike I was only trying to find the old Appalachian trail tunnel that went under the Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) road. I did find it and this is the photo I posted.

It was a truly humbling experience to walk where so many folks have walked before, possibly seeking a settling of the mind, as I was today

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world and one of America's most famous natural treasures. It is a 2,190+ mile public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains.

Good hiking. Love the place. You can pay an anual fee of $30 to Park in the town. From there is one mile and half hike to the magnificent place. Don't forget to dispositivo your parking ticket

Such a beautiful view of the mountains. A great little place to stop and catch your breath along the Appalachian Trail.

Great view of the Potomac River from an elevated place. A little slice of history, while taking in an incredible view of the mountains. Near by is also Harper Cemetery, St Peters Catholic Church and the ruins of St. Johns Episcopal Church.

An interesting story and a nice view above Harper’s Ferry Jefferson Rock is one of the highlights of Harpers Ferry. It gives a good mix of history, scenery, and a bit of historic adventure that personifies the town. The hike to the rock takes you up the hillside, passing by the iconic St. Peter’s Catholic Church along the way. The path itself is fairly manageable, and most sections have railings, but once you reach the rock the protection stops. Because of this, I would recommend the visit only for those who are sure-footed and comfortable with uneven ground, as the drop-offs can be intimidating without barriers. The payoff, however, is worth the effort. From a position next to the rock you get a sweeping view of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, as well as the historic town of Harpers Ferry nestled below. The vantage point is both dramatic and peaceful, giving you a sense of why, according to the stories, Thomas Jefferson, during his travels, found this very spot so moving that it now bears his name. For those who wish to explore more, you can continue on the trail past Jefferson Rock and make your way to the Appalachian trail, which adds another layer of history to the walk. The informational sign could use a little care but, overall, this is a scenic and meaningful stop, best enjoyed with good shoes and sure footing. Enjoy.

This is a fantastic climb with spectacular views from a higher vantage point than from scenic streets at ground level, both at Jefferson Rock itself and along the way up to the rock exhibit. You can climb onto Jefferson Rock and sit to enjoy the views further. Visitor Parking: Street parking in town is extremely limited and only available on a short-term basis for the businesses nearby. Harpers Ferry National Park parking lot offers daily parking at affordable rates. It is situated along Shoreline Dr., where you can park for $10-$15, depending on if you have a motorcycle or private vehicle. A guided shuttle bus will take you to the bus stop along Shenandoah St., where you can begin the scenic walk of Old Town Harpers Ferry into the modern town.

Amazing views of the Shenandoah River, and the town of Harpers Ferry. Beautiful history in regard to the nature overlook. It’s not a short hike up, about 0.1 miles. You will know you are headed in the right direction when you are heading up the stairway to the old Catholic Church. Well worth the walk!

Nice historical spot and beautiful views. If you go on a weekday, especially later in the afternoon, no one is usually there! You can walk up the stairs from town but there is a bit of an incline; not a terrible hike, but may be difficult for some! If you’d rather get there without the climb, you can go through the cemetery above it for a fast walk down.