22 Oct Harpers Ferry Day Trip: The Best Things To See and Do

Harpers Ferry in West Virginia is the PERFECT location for a day trip with its array of scenic viewpoints, adventure activities, and historical attractions. This article will lay out what I chose as a personal itinerary for one day in Harpers Ferry. I might be a little biased, but I think it hits all of the best spots. In my opinion, the best activity in town is the Maryland Heights Trail. At the top you are rewarded with panoramic views of the town as well as of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers over 1,000 feet (~305 meters) below. 

Contents:

1) Location of Harpers Ferry

2) Overview of the Town

3) Chow Down at Almost Heaven

4) Walk to Jefferson Rock from St. Peter’s Church

5) Take in the Views at The Point

6) Hike Maryland Heights Trail

7) Grab a Treat at True Treats Historic Candy

1) Location of Harpers Ferry – Day Trip

Harper’s Ferry is a small town in West Virginia, located right on the border of Maryland and Virginia. For reference, it is one hour northwest of Washington, DC and an hour and a half west of Baltimore.

Why not plan another day trip, this time to Washington, DC? You can rent paddle boats on the Tidal Basin, stroll around East Potomac Park, and even have a picnic underneath the planes at Gravelly Point.

Parking

It is good to be aware there is practically no parking along the streets in Harpers Ferry. Instead, there are a few parking lots in town as well as parking along the street outside of town. First, there is a parking lot by the train station. It costs around $20 per day and is within walking distance from The Point. Second, there is a parking lot by the visitor’s center at the end of Shoreline Drive. It also costs around $20 per day, and they offer a free shuttle bus into town from the lot.

Third, there is parking available along the side of Washington Street before you enter town. You can pay for this through ParkMobile, and it costs around $2 an hour. Additionally, note that this street is on a hill, which means you will walk downhill into town and uphill back to your car.

We visited on a Saturday in October, and thus the town was fairly busy. Due to that, we parked about a half mile outside of town on the side of Washington Street. However, we did not know about the lack of parking inside of town before we visited. We thus drove into town, around a couple streets, and then back out of town to find parking on Washington Street. Do not make the same blunder as us – know where to park in advance.

Nearby Lodging – Harpers Ferry Day Trip

The town of Harpers Ferry has a few lodging accommodations available. However, if you are only driving over for a day trip to Harpers Ferry, then look into options in Washington, DC.

Nearby Airports

There are a few nearby regional and municipal airports, though they are all fairly small. The closest international airport is Dulles International Airport, which is located only 50 minutes southeast. There are a few public transportation options available from the airport to Harpers Ferry, though do be aware they will take around three hours. You can also choose to rent a car from the airport or utilize a ride share service such as Uber. 

Taking in views of the town from the Maryland Heights Trail

2) Overview of the Town

Before you head out to Harpers Ferry for your day trip, let me give you a bit of a background on the town. The town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is approximately 400 acres large and has a population of a little over 300 people as of 2020. That being said, it is a small town. One of the main benefits of its size is that it is walkable. You can walk from one side of town to the other in about 10 or 15 minutes.

Moreover, the town of Harpers Ferry has a detailed military history and also offers an array of adventure activities.

Military History of Harpers Ferry – Day Trip

The military history of the town goes wayyyyy back to the 1700s when George Washington first noted its convenient location. He saw how the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers surround the town and eventually merge into one, and then he authorized an armory to be built. The industrial success of the town only increased from then on.

During the Civil War, the fight for Harpers Ferry went back and forth…and back and forth…and back and forth. As you can imagine, the town was not the easiest to defend due to its location. It is surrounded by rivers as well as mountains on all sides. Not only did forces have to protect the town itself, but they also had to defend the higher ground in the surrounding mountains. For that reason, control of Harpers Ferry passed between Union and Confederate forces 14 times over the course of the war. An interesting fact is that one of the largest surrenders before World War II happened in Harpers Ferry during one of the Confederate victories.

Today, you are able to visit the town and see battleground ruins as well as other historical attractions. Harpers Ferry is truly a history-lover’s dream. I will note that I am not the biggest history buff. While I visited a few historical attractions during my visit, I chose to not visit others. This itinerary of a day at Harpers Ferry thus does not include every historical attraction there is to see in the town, but feel free to add them to your personal itinerary.

Views from The Point within the town of Harpers Ferry

Hikes + Aerial Activities in Harpers Ferry

The town has scenic hikes, water adventures, and aerial activities. The best hike is the Maryland Heights Trail, for it provides a panoramic overlook of the town and rivers from over 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in the air. But do not worry, the hike is included in this one day itinerary. More information is in section six below. Additionally, you can check out my article on the Maryland Heights Trail.

Be sure to hike the Endless Wall Trail if you are visiting the New River Gorge National Park anytime soon. It is the best hike in the area with beautiful scenic overlooks. 

Additionally, you can book ziplining and high ropes course tours in Harpers Ferry. If you prefer to experience the town from the air, then these are the activities for you. While I have not yet booked these tours, they are on my list. I plan to travel back to Harpers Ferry at some point in the future to check them off since I am just an hour drive away.

Water Activities in Harpers Ferry – Day Trip

Furthermore, you can book white water rafting and tubing as well as lazy tubing tours on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. There are a few tour companies that operate in the area, so you are sure to find a tour that suits your preferences. For reference, the rapids on the white water tours are Class I to Class III. The rapids in the New River Gorge National Park are Class III to Class V for comparison. On the other hand, maybe you are not looking for white water rafting but rather a relaxing float down the river? Well, then the lazy tubing tour is perfect for you.

I have enjoyed both a white water rafting as well as a white water tubing tour in Harpers Ferry. Both of them were great experiences, and I would recommend them to others in addition to doing them again myself in the future. Check out my articles on them for more detailed information about logistics as well as my experience: Whitewater Rafting in Harpers Ferry and Whitewater Tubing in Harpers Ferry. 

Lastly, I will note that none of the water or aerial activities are listed on this itinerary for a Harpers Ferry day trip, mainly due to the fact they often take a fair amount of time. You can create an entire Harpers Ferry day trip for simply grabbing lunch and then heading out on your respective tour.

Enjoying an exciting day on the river

3) Chow Down at Almost Heaven – Harpers Ferry Day Trip

• Estimated visit time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Shortly after we arrived in Harpers Ferry for our day trip, we went to grab some lunch. Our plan was to walk around the town until we found a restaurant that peaked our interests. However, as we were looking at a sign with a map of the town, a couple walked up next to us and we started chatting. They had done day trips to Harpers Ferry a few times before, and based on their experience they recommended Almost Heaven for lunch. We took their word for it and headed to the restaurant.

We both enjoyed our meals – chicken wings and a BBQ pork sandwich. Additionally, we ordered onion rings, and I will say that the sauce brought with them was delicious.

Nevertheless, the town has a variety of other restaurants available. The majority of them are pubs and grills, though there is a pizza restaurant or two.

Sandwich and onion rings at Almost Heaven

4) Walk to Jefferson Rock from St. Peter’s Church

• Estimated visit time: 45 minutes

Jefferson Rock is just a short 10 minute walk from St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Additionally, it is located on the Appalachian Trail.

Please note that climbing or walking on Jefferson Rock is prohibited. The rock can be unstable, thus causing it to be unsafe for you to put any type of weight on it.

Directions to Jefferson Rock

To arrive at Jefferson Rock, you have to begin by walking on the path located next to St. Peter’s Catholic Church. While on the path, you will pass by the St. John Episcopal Church ruins. Shortly after passing the ruins, you will reach Jefferson Rock.

History of Jefferson Rock

Jefferson Rock received its name from no other than Thomas Jefferson himself. He visited the region back in the 1780s and wrote about the beauty and unique nature of the surroundings in the Notes on the State of Virginia.

However, Jefferson Rock is not the exact same as it was many years ago. The bottom rock used to be smaller. Furthermore, it then dwindled over time due to weather conditions, which made it a bit dangerous. The town replaced the bottom rock with two stone pillars in the late 1860s.

5) Take in the Views at The Point

• Estimated visit time: 15 minutes

One of Harpers Ferry’s claims to fame is the fact it is surrounded by rivers. The Potomac River and the Shenandoah River meet at The Point and then flow into one river together. The Point is the name of the viewpoint where you can see the rivers merge into one, so do not miss this spot on your Harpers Ferry day trip.

You do not need a lot of time to explore the viewpoint, just enough to walk there from your last destination and snap a few pictures.

Visiting the New River Gorge National Park anytime soon? Then be sure to check out one of the best overlooks of the river and the bridge: New River Gorge Bridge Overlook in West Virginia.

Where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet

6) Hike Maryland Heights Trail – Harpers Ferry Day Trip

• Estimated visit time: 2.5 hours

Looking for the BEST scenic overlook of Harpers Ferry? Well, then look no further. The Maryland Heights Trail provides views of Harpers Ferry as well as of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers from over 1,000 feet (~305 meters) in the air. The hike will take up most of your afternoon on your Harpers Ferry day trip, but trust me it is worth it. 

You cannot just magically obtain this view. Rather, you have to put in a bit of work. The hike is approximately 4.6 miles (~7.4 kilometers) long (starting from the footbridge) with 1,150 feet (~350 meters) in elevation gain. Let me warn you now – this trail has a few steep sections. It starts off as somewhat steep and then gets even steeper as you go along. That being said, the first part is not the worst, so prepare yourself and take breaks as needed.

I will go over some information about the hike below, but for more detailed information and directions, check out this article: The BEST Hike in Harpers Ferry: Maryland Heights Trail.

If you are headed to the DC area anytime soon, then check out the trail to Scott’s Run Falls as well as the Billy Goat Trail Section A.

Trail Conditions 

First, please note there are no restrooms throughout the trail. Take care of business before you start hiking or be prepared to do it in nature. Second, there is no water available along the trail, meaning there are no water sources. Pack enough water to keep you hydrated throughout the hike. I would recommend at least a 32oz bottle.

Third, the path is mainly made up of dirt and loose rocks. That being said, it is all too easy to lose your footing. If you have difficulties with balance in any way, I would recommend bringing hiking poles for support. I would also recommend everyone wears hiking shoes while conquering the trail. Additionally, there are some larger rocks along the trail as well as a few well-placed logs to act as steps. Fourth, the majority of the trail is in the shade, but a few trail sections as well as the overlook are fully exposed.

Relaxing at the top of the Maryland Heights Trail

Trailhead Directions – Hiking to the Trailhead

Accessing the trailhead and staying on the right path to the scenic overlook can be a bit tricky. I did research beforehand and still appreciated the help of a fellow hiker to lead us in the correct direction while on the trail. Let me lay it all out there for you below so you do not get lost.

First, cross the Footbridge to C&O Canal and Maryland Heights. It is located right beside The Point, which is the viewpoint of the river crossing. Second, turn left after descending the stairs at the end of the footbridge and walk about 0.3 miles (~0.5 kilometers) along the C&O Canal Towpath. Third, as soon as you see a short bridge on your right, cross it. After you cross that short bridge and then the road, you will see the Maryland Heights Trailhead sign.

Trailhead Directions – Hiking to the Overlook

Fourth, begin hiking! You will notice the trail starts gaining elevation right away; it wastes no time in making you work for that view. Fifth, you will arrive at a fork in the path with a sign that provides information on the Stone Fort Trail vs. the Overlook Trail. The Stone Fort Trail is a 3.3 mile (~5.3 kilometer) loop trail from this point that leads to the summit of the mountain and then loops back down to connect with the Overlook Trail. The Overlook Trail is a 1.4 mile (~2.3 kilometer) out and back trail from this point that leads directly to the scenic overlook. We opted to continue on the Overlook Trail, which is what the majority of other hikers did that day as well.

Sixth, you will come across a few other forks in the trail. However, the directions are quite simple from this point on – just stay to the right. Seventh, after the last fork in the path you will begin to hike downhill to the overlook. Last but not least, you will then arrive at the overlook! Enjoy the panoramic views of Harpers Ferry as well as of the rivers; you deserve it. You can even pack a lunch or a sweet treat to reward yourself for making it to the top.

Panoramic view of Harpers Ferry from the Maryland Heights Trail

7) Grab a Treat at True Treats Historic Candy

• Estimated visit time: 30 minutes

Have you ever wanted to munch on some candy from the 1800s or maybe even the 1500s? Well, then now is your chance. And honestly, it is probably your only chance as historical candy stores are not in abundance.

There is truly no time limit to the candy selection they offer. Their store is set up into some sections based on time, for example the 1500s to 1700s, the 1800s, and 1900s. However, they also have an ancient + biblical times section.

You can find more information about their candy selection on their website.

There you have it – an itinerary for a day trip to Harpers Ferry, which includes the best spots to check out. What better way to end the day than stopping at a candy store? 

Sign for True Treats Historic Candy

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Take a short drive to Washington, DC: Scott’s Run Falls Hike Outside of DC.

Or maybe head down to the beach for a relaxing weekend: Kayaking with Dolphins in Virginia Beach.