Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable future. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for an up-to-date list of closures. OBSERVE ALL CLOSURES. Stay safe!
Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garbage causes it to lose its fear of humans. Follow all food storage regulations, use provided food lockers and never feed a bear.
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today ...
The Appalachian Trail Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry is one of the most legendary landmarks along the entire 2200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It's a fun stop and great resource whether you're exploring historic Harpers Ferry, looking for a fantastic day-hike nearby, or interested in learning more about the world's most famous footpath. <br /><br />Learn more about the AT Visitor Center by <a href="http://appalachiantrail.org/home/about-us/get-in-touch/harpers-ferry-visitor-center">visiting their website</a> .
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Building. The ATC visitor center faces Washington Street on the corner of Jackson Street, also known as Storer College Place. It is a two-story white plaster and stone building with a black tin roof protruding above the first floor and spanning the width of the building. The roof overhangs a concrete walkway along the base of the building that is raised to maintain the level of the first floor, counter to the incline of the brick sidewalk out front. The entrance is located through a double door at the right of the building, up four stairs to the stoop. In the center of the front facing wall is inset a double window with a wooden bench underneath. An at the left of the building is a bulletin board and a registration box. On the wall to the left of the front door is a dark wood sign engraved with the Appalachian Trail logo and the words "Appalachian Trail Conservancy." On the right of the door, a square plaque is mounted just above ground level. The plaque reads: The American Institute of Certified Planners has designated The Appalachian Trail as a National Planning Landmark and Benton MacKaye as a National Planning Pioneer. Conceived by Benton MacKaye in 1921 as a walking trail from New England to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail was a pioneering invention in regional interconnection. MacKay's work in regional planning theory and practice also laid the foundations for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Rural Resettlement Administration programs of the 1930s, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The National Trails System Act of 1968 made the Appalachian Trail the spinal cord of a fourteen-state greenway and the premier component of a national system of scenic and historic trails. Erected 2000. The American Institute of Certified Planners, The Society for American City and Regional Planning History, The West Virginia Planning Association.
One of the most well-known hikes in the United States, this trail runs through Harpers Ferry and visitors can hike a portion of it! This sign at The Point can help direct guests and get them started on this famous trail.
Brown sign giving arrow directions toward Maine and Georgia for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. In the background, a railroad bridge over a muddy river leading to a rocky cliff face dotted sparsely with trees.
(103 words) Lock 33 is located on the towpath in Knoxville, Maryland. From the Harpers Ferry access point turn left, or Northwest, onto the towpath. After 350 feet, the lock will appear on the right. The lock is about five feet from the towpath and runs parallel to it. The lock walls are made of stone blocks. The two walls make a chamber that is about twelve feet deep. The upstream and downstream entrance gates are missing. Behind the lock, beyond an additional stone wall and a road, are the remains of lockhouse 33. On the opposite side of the towpath is the Potomac River.
Harvey’s Knob offers exceptional views to the Great Valley of Virginia far below. Overlooks with expansive views make excellent locations to view migrating birds and monarch butterflies in the fall.
The overlook is a large paved parking area in the shape of an “M” on the right from the southbound lane of the parkway. In the grassy median between the overlook and the parkway is a slope with a few small trees. The overlook sits slightly below the parkway and faces west over the Great Valley. During the summer months, the vista is composed of rich green, forest-covered mountains and farm fields and forests in the valley far below, which contrast with a deep blue sky on clear days. In autumn, the forests become a varied palette of red and yellows dotted with deep green pine trees, and the valley becomes more golden. In late fall and into winter, the thinning foliage reveals lichen-covered granite boulders under the canopy.
Refuel your body and mind with a quiet picnic at the Humpback Rocks Picnic Area.
The Humpback Rocks Picnic Area is a 0.5 mile, figure 8 shaped, upper and lower loop drive with a narrow one way paved road curving gently between an open canopy forest overhead and mix of mowed meadow and unmanaged forest underneath. Stone tables with wood topped benches with charcoal grills are scattered about with their own parking slips. Some tables are out in the open mowed meadow areas while other sites are tucked into shrubbery amongst the tall trees. Two gray, wooden sided, peak roofed, comfort stations with male and female sides, are provided with one each located in the upper and lower loops.
Nothing compares to the wildness, beauty, and difficulty of "The Greatest Mountain" in Maine.
Standing on giant granite boulders covered in a thin layer of lichen. With the iconic Appalachian Trail large wooden brown sign with engraved white lettering. From this elevation, just on the skirts of the clouds you can overlook forests for hundreds of miles in all directions. Immeasurable forests, countless lakes and mountains. If there at the right time the lakes look like that of a broken mirror with thousands of fragments reflecting the sunlight.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Damascus Trail Center
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Damascus, VA.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Harper's Ferry Visitor Center
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Monson Visitor Center
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Monson, ME.
Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
Visit The Point at Harpers Ferry
Visit where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet! From this location, known as The Point, you look upon three states - Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia - as well as the confluence of the two rivers. We invite you to visit in any season to gaze upon the magnificent sight of this water gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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 famous Harpers Ferry building and discover what it means to you.
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."
