Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, with the old federal armory town preserved as a National Historical Park and a compact walkable core built into the hillside. It's close enough to Baltimore to be a genuine half-day option, though most visitors stretch it to a full day with a hike. The lower town closes to private vehicles, so parking is at a visitor center with a shuttle in.
| Distance | 65 miles from Baltimore; 75 miles from Annapolis |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1-1.5 hours by car |
| Getting there | MARC Brunswick Line offers a rare car-free option; the station is a short walk from the historic town |
| Address | Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 |
How to get there
- MARC Brunswick Line: Baltimore Penn Station to Harpers Ferry station, $11 one-way, 1.5 hours (weekday only; check mta.maryland.gov for schedule)
- Driving: I-70 W to US-340 W from Frederick; parking in Harpers Ferry $5/day at park lot or free roadside
Location
Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
39.3237, -77.7294 View on map
Highlights
- Lower Town Harpers Ferry - the preserved 19th-century streets and armory buildings, walkable in an hour or two
- Maryland Heights - a steep trail on the Maryland side of the Potomac with an overlook of the town and river confluence
- Appalachian Trail - the trail's symbolic midpoint and headquarters are in town, and you can walk a short stretch of it
- St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church - visible on the hillside above the lower town in most photos of the site