Visiting Harpers Ferry, WV with Kids

The idyllic town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in the lower Shenandoah Valley has a lot to offer with its unparalleled history and breathtaking beauty. Located along the Appalachian Trail, there are miles of hikes to explore with kids. And for history buffs, there is so much to learn, as Harpers Ferry, WV was a crucial spot for Civil War clashes, abolitionist raids, and civil rights struggles.

Take a family day trip or weekend trip from DC to Harpers Ferry to enjoy natural beauty, get some exercise, and learn about American history. Here are the best things to do in Harpers Ferry with kids, plus tips on visiting.

Find more great places to visit in our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for DC Kids, which includes our list of 40 fun things to do in the Shenandoah Valley with kids.

Things To Do in Harpers Ferry with Kids

1. Jefferson Rock

The number-one Harpers Ferry spot on our list is Jefferson Rock, where Thomas Jefferson reportedly stood and called the area, “one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” It's a little harder to get to, but well worth the walk (though you'll probably want to leave the stroller behind). Be especially careful with small children on and around the rock.

From Jefferson Rock, walk up about 20 steps to Harper Cemetery, a serene spot with a great view of the surrounding cliffs and rivers. Then, follow the path downhill from Jefferson Rock, where you'll pass a ruin on your right of one of the town’s earliest churches. Continue down the steep steps to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and take in another spectacular view of the gorgeous cliffs from its front patio.

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The Point is where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet.

2. The Point

The spot where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet is called The Point, and it offers breathtaking views of the cliffs. Walk across the footbridge to look down at the river below. We are ecstatic when we're lucky enough to be on the bridge when a freight train passes, but it may be scary for smaller kids. Across the bridge is a train tunnel and the state of Maryland. Walk down some steep steps to a path where you can walk or bike along the river.

3. Lower Town

Harpers Ferry is rich in history. There are many preserved buildings you can walk into and ruins you can walk among in the historic area of town.

One of the most significant historical events was when abolitionist John Brown attempted to start an armed revolt of enslaved people in Harpers Ferry by raiding a federal armory. You can visit the arsenal ruins where this occurred. Right behind the ruins is the armory engine house, which later became known as John Brown’s Fort because it served as a stronghold for Brown and his raiders.

Harpers Ferry was a strategic battleground that changed hands eight times during the Civil War. There is a Civil War Museum that's currently closed for repairs. During Reconstruction after the war, the historic Storer College was founded to train African American teachers, and remained open until segregation was ruled unconstitutional. The campus remains today for visitors to explore.

For an overview of Harpers Ferry history, join park staff for The Story Behind the Scenery on Tuesdays at noon. This talk is FREE with admission.

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Harper Cemetery is a serene spot for a break along the Appalachian Trail.

4. Hiking

Harpers Ferry is full of gorgeous hikes, as it is located on the Appalachian Trail. Try the moderate, two-mile round-trip Camp Hill and Appalachian Trail that visits Jefferson Rock, Harper Cemetery, Storer College Campus, with many memorable views on the way.

If you want to avoid the shuttle bus during more crowded times, there is also a nice 1.5-mile hike along the Shenandoah River called the Visitor Center to Lower Town Trail. It boasts lots of beautiful scenery, as well as some interesting sites like a few ruins and a bridge you can cross with lots of turtles and frogs below. This hike is relatively easy, but it is not paved the whole way.

If you have older children and are fairly fit, you might want to try the Maryland Heights hike, which will give you spectacular views of Harpers Ferry from the Maryland side.

5. Outdoor Recreation Programs

Consider bringing or renting bikes to explore the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Towpath. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is also considered to have some of the best climbing in the area, with many cliffs that offer a broad range of rock types and climbing types. You can also fish, but you do need a license. And for experienced paddlers there is kayaking and whitewater canoeing.

6. Junior Ranger Program and National Park Passport Stamps

Our kids love the National Parks Junior Ranger program. Print out the booklet in advance or pick it up at the Visitor Center. We have found that some national parks are more serious than others about kids completing all of the tasks, so ask in advance how much of the booklet and what activities must be done in order for your kiddos to earn their Junior Ranger Badge.

If you are looking for a passport stamp, you can get your book (or anything else) stamped in the Bookshop in Lower Town. And if you want to start your national park passport stamp collection, you can buy a passport there as well.

7. Annual Events

The Flip Flop Festival coincides with Earth Day in April and features multiple days of outdoor activities like hiking workshops, live music, and a cookout. Also in the spring is the Blue Ridge Arts and Crafts Festival, where the park comes alive with children’s activities, music, and food trucks. In the summer there's RiverPalooza, a giant rafting and kayaking event on the rivers. And in the fall there are the Highland Games of Harper’s Ferry, featuring age-old Scottish games.

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Kelley's Farmhouse Kitchen is an adorable cafe that serves delicious vegan dishes.

8. Harpers Ferry Restaurants

We have eaten several times at the Rabbit Hole, a kid-friendly pub with spectacular views from the deck. We also love Kelley’s Farm Kitchen, which has a giant menu and serves delicious vegan dishes (but is located a bit away from the historical area). And if you don’t mind driving a bit, there is Harpers Ferry Brewing in Virginia, which is kid- and dog-friendly, offers live music on weekends, has gorgeous views, and serves pizza and craft beers.

Know Before You Go to Harpers Ferry

Getting There and Parking

The main parking lot is located at 171 Shoreline Drive and can accommodate hundreds of vehicles. The $20 parking fee covers the cost of park admission. This is where the park’s visitor center is, as well as the shuttle bus you can take into the historical downtown. Metered street parking and parking at the train station is very limited. And if you don’t want to drive, there is the Amtrak station right in historical downtown Harpers Ferry.

Bathrooms

There are toilets located right in the historical downtown area of Harpers Ferry, as well as at the visitor center and at the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center.

Stroller Use

Streets and sidewalks throughout the historic area are stroller-friendly, but the area has several steep hills. If you want to walk to Jefferson Rock or go across the foot bridge connecting Maryland with West Virginia, there are stairs and unpaved areas that make them a challenge. And if you plan on going down to the stream or off the path to see some ruins, a child carrier might be a better option.

Hours and Admission

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is open daily sunrise to sunset except for federal holidays. The fee to enter is $20 per vehicle that parks at the main visitor center, or $10 per person. You can pay the admission at the Entrance Station near the park's visitor center, Bolivar Heights, Harpers Ferry Train Station, the River Access Parking Lot, or online.

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You will never tire of the beautiful scenery in Harpers Ferry, especially in autumn.

More Tips on Visiting Harpers Ferry with Kids

• The most beautiful time to go is in the fall, when the weather is a little cooler and the scenery is even more spectacular with the leaves changing colors.
• Downtown Harpers Ferry is trash-free! So, have a trash plan. You won’t find a trash can except in bathrooms or in a café.
• This is a popular national park, so visiting during the week (and not on holidays) would cut down on crowds.
• The summer can be hot and humid. There is shade, but bring sunscreen, hats, and water. There are lots of bugs (especially down by the water), so bring bug spray. There is also plenty of poison ivy, especially on the Maryland side, so watch out for that.
• There are plenty of Bed and Breakfasts in Harpers Ferry if you want to spend the night. We have stayed at the Quality Inn, which is a little bit outside the main historic area, but a good budget option with children. We've also stayed at the 1799 Inn, which has an ideal location right in the historic area, but is right next to the train station (so you will hear the train).

All photos by author Lisa Warden, unless otherwise indicated

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