5 Activities
Road Trip to Harpers Ferry: Explore the Natural Beauty of West Virginia
Starts from
Washington
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
5
Duration
10 hrs
Length
67 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Washington
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs
Length
67 mi
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani
Travel Expert
- Harpers Ferry Natural Historical Park is nature and history. Make sure to visit the historic center so you understand both.
- Spend hours tubing and soaking up the sun.
- Nestled right on the Potomac, Harpers Ferry Brewing has great beer and a spectacular view.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a historic town with lots to see. Harpers Ferry a population of only 285 people, according to the 2020 census—but this small town packs a punch. If you love exploring the outdoors, you need to visit.
You can make the trip out to Harpers Ferry anytime of the year, but this itinerary is for late spring and summer. Go tubing with your friends, explore a national park, and hang out at a brewery perched right on the Potomac River.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks so you have something as you explore this town's natural beauty.
You can make the trip out to Harpers Ferry anytime of the year, but this itinerary is for late spring and summer. Go tubing with your friends, explore a national park, and hang out at a brewery perched right on the Potomac River.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks so you have something as you explore this town's natural beauty.
Categories
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a historic town with lots to see. Harpers Ferry a population of only 285 people, according to the 2020 census—but this small town packs a punch. If you love exploring the outdoors, you need to visit.
You can make the trip out to Harpers Ferry anytime of the year, but this itinerary is for late spring and summer. Go tubing with your friends, explore a national park, and hang out at a brewery perched right on the Potomac River.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks so you have something as you explore this town's natural beauty.
You can make the trip out to Harpers Ferry anytime of the year, but this itinerary is for late spring and summer. Go tubing with your friends, explore a national park, and hang out at a brewery perched right on the Potomac River.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks so you have something as you explore this town's natural beauty.
Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani
Travel Expert
- Harpers Ferry Natural Historical Park is nature and history. Make sure to visit the historic center so you understand both.
- Spend hours tubing and soaking up the sun.
- Nestled right on the Potomac, Harpers Ferry Brewing has great beer and a spectacular view.
Day Itinerary
5 Activities
Day 1
67 mi
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
This road trip will be full of West Virginia nature: tubing down a river, exploring the natural park, and enjoying a brewery perched right on the Potomac River.
Pack some snacks and drinks before you head out, so you can enjoy them as you explore throughout the day.
Pack some snacks and drinks before you head out, so you can enjoy them as you explore throughout the day.
10:2030 min
Downtown Frederick Partnership
Make a quickstop in downtown Frederick. Frederick is a small town in Maryland, but the downtown is filled with over 200 shops, restaurants, art galleries and more. Glory Doughnuts here has delicious vegan donuts, and you won't go wrong with any coffee shop you step into.
24.1 mi
30 min
11:202 hrs 30 min
River Riders Family Adventure Resort
Start your day off with something easy and fun: tubing down a river.
River Riders Family Adventure Resort has a ton of activities, but flat water tubing or white water tubing sound the most fun as you approach the end of your day. Both options will take 2-3 hours, and you can rent a cooler to store drinks and snacks as you float away.
There is free shuttle transportation and parking.
River Riders Family Adventure Resort has a ton of activities, but flat water tubing or white water tubing sound the most fun as you approach the end of your day. Both options will take 2-3 hours, and you can rent a cooler to store drinks and snacks as you float away.
There is free shuttle transportation and parking.
4.6 mi
10 min
14:001 hr
Harpers Ferry Brewing
Harpers Ferry Brewing is a great place to grab a bite to eat, and sit and enjoy the view. The brewery is perched right on the Potomac River and surrounded by mountains.
The brewery has a namesake lager and multiple seltzers that are worth trying. On the weekends, there's live music and food trucks, making this even more of a party.
The brewery has a namesake lager and multiple seltzers that are worth trying. On the weekends, there's live music and food trucks, making this even more of a party.
3.5 mi
10 min
15:152 hrs 30 min
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
There is amazing scenery at Harpers Ferry National Park in the spring, summer, and fall—and there's history year-round.
The park is at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and on the borders of three states: West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
Many prominent figures in American history have left their mark here, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, "Stonewall" Jackson, and Frederick Douglass. The park's historic center of Harpers Ferry was also a key 19th-century industrial area and the scene of John Brown's unsuccessful abolitionist uprising.
Harpers Ferry has 22 miles of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Look up ahead of time which trail makes sense for you.
If you plan to explore the museums and exhibits or hike a trail that begins in Lower Town, it's easiest to park in the main parking lot at the park entrance station (171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425). From there, you can ride the park shuttle bus into Lower Town.
Spend hours exploring here.
The park is at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and on the borders of three states: West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
Many prominent figures in American history have left their mark here, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, "Stonewall" Jackson, and Frederick Douglass. The park's historic center of Harpers Ferry was also a key 19th-century industrial area and the scene of John Brown's unsuccessful abolitionist uprising.
Harpers Ferry has 22 miles of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Look up ahead of time which trail makes sense for you.
If you plan to explore the museums and exhibits or hike a trail that begins in Lower Town, it's easiest to park in the main parking lot at the park entrance station (171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425). From there, you can ride the park shuttle bus into Lower Town.
Spend hours exploring here.
34.9 mi
40 min
18:302 hrs
Clarksburg Premium Outlets
You'll be passing through Clarksburg on your way back to DC. The Clarksburg Premium Outlets has more than 90 stores, including lots of luxury brands.
If you're not in the mood for shopping after a long day, that's understandable. There are a lot of food options here as well. Try the Day & Night Cereal Bar (which is exactly what it sounds like) or Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza. And don't forget the bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea.
If you're not in the mood for shopping after a long day, that's understandable. There are a lot of food options here as well. Try the Day & Night Cereal Bar (which is exactly what it sounds like) or Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza. And don't forget the bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea.