Guide: Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall Crowds

Pretty much EVERY year since I graduated from college and relocated to the Washington, DC area, I have found a way to take a half a day trip to wonderful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia! Typically, I visit this gorgeous West Virginia town in the Summer months, however, this year, I was *finally* able to make it to see the peak Fall foliage (!!!!). My best friend Haley and I are both HUGE fans of Harpers Ferry so much so that we both find West Virginia to be one of the prettiest states. SO, when thinking of a lovely Fall half day trip to take, Harpers Ferry was at the top of both of our lists! However, it does get Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds are a thing. SO, I’m going to be sharing how Haley and I navigated the Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds.

For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring the DMV page. For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Given that I have been to Harpers Ferry year after year, I’ll leave my travel tips and insights to my formerly written posts (here and here). Rather, I will stick to my Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds guide and tips this time around! However, I will share some insights on visiting Harpers Ferry on a crowded day!

Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall Crowds Tips:

I will mention that on this half day trip that Haley and I took, the crowds were at its peak due to it being during the peak Fall foliage. First off, Haley and I had an 8am departure and arrived to downtown Harpers Ferry around 9-10am to beat the crowds. We ended up parking at the Visitor’s Center (about 1-2 miles away from the historic downtown) which all visitors can park at either with the purchase of a $20 day pass/vehicle or an already valid and issued National Park Pass/vehicle. Parking can be hit or miss in downtown Harpers Ferry, especially on a crowded day and there is plenty of parking at the Visitor’s Center (even on crowded days!). The Visitor’s Center offers free shuttles to and from the historic downtown Harpers Ferry every few minutes. Due to the high volume of crowds, there were more shuttle buses than usual to/from downtown and the Visitor’s Center. And, we ended up departing Harpers Ferry’s Visitor’s Center just after 12pm, which is when the crowds started to exponentially pick up. SO, needless to say, its best to arrive early and park at the Visitor’s Center to avoid the crowds and parking issues.

Wrap-Up:

Here’s to making many more memories in Wonderful West Virginia!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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6 Hours in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful … West Virginia! To many people’s surprise, I find West Virginia to be one of the most prettiest states that I have ever been to! While maybe not where I would want to live in the future, I have LOVED getting to visit West Virginia from time to time again over the years. During the height of Summer 2020, my Mom and I decided to take a day hike to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where we went all the way up to the iconic Jefferson Rock (where Thomas Jefferson saw some of the most spectacular views in his life!!) and then into the town. And, since that day trip back in Summer 2020 (here), I have been going back to Harpers Ferry *almost* every summer since (here)!

For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring the DMV page. For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

About + Getting There:

The town of Harpers Ferry has a population of ~270 people and no stoplight in sight (unlike its neighboring towns). However, the residents and national park rangers at Harpers Ferry National Park reign proud that the town’s name is in the national park that brings in visitors from across the country and beyond. The location of Harpers Ferry is approximately at the halfway mark of the East Coast’s well-known Appalachian Trail (that starts in Maine and ends in Georgia) at the intersection of the Potomac River and Shenandoah River. From Washington, DC, Harpers Ferry is about a 90 minute drive with an Amtrak station in the heart of the historical district and Harpers Ferry National Park. To be able to drive and park and sightsee within Harpers Ferry’s historical district and the adjacent Harpers Ferry National Park, it is easiest to purchase a National Park Service (NPS) day pass or use an already-purchased/borrowed NPS pass.

This time around, I visited Harpers Ferry with my Papa and dog Rosie. Papa had not been to Harpers Ferry with the exception of a brief visit there decades ago, so it was super fun for him to relive his past memories of this magnificent town. We ended up starting out at the visitor center which is about a 10 minute drive from the historic district (and has a complimentary shuttle that is NOT pet-friendly), which contains the bulk of the non-intense hiking activities. In order to enter the visitor center, all guests must pay for an NPS day pass or show that they have one, which Papa happens to have. We went into the visitor center, talked a bit with a National Park Ranger, and then went on our way to the historic downtown and parked at the Amtrak station there (which our parking was covered for by flashing our NPS pass on the dashboard of Papa’s truck), since Rosie couldn’t go on the shuttle directly from the visitor center. At the Amtrak station, we got a front row seat to … an Amtrak train coming into the station. We LOVED seeing a train come into the station in the midst of the gorgeous mountain terrain surrounding the train tracks as we enjoyed our picnic lunch.

My Experience:

The day that we ended up going to Harpers Ferry happened to be rather rainy and foggy, which limited what we could do. Initially, I had wanted to walk along the creeks, rock-covered bridge, and streams just outside of the historic district, however, the weather prohibited us from doing so this time around. The same goes for checking out the dog-friendly Harpers Ferry Brewing brewery (located in Purcellville, Virginia) that offers stunning views of the town and connecting rivers from afar, however, dogs are only allowed outside which meant that we needed to save this spot for a visit when it wasn’t a rainy day. SO, to the historic district and C&O Canal Footbridge we went (guide on it all here). While Papa and Rosie took in some more of the scenic views, I learned a bit about the part of the Lewis & Clark expedition which took place in none other than Harpers Ferry via a complimentary NPS exhibit. Long story short, Merriweather Lewis was stranded in Harpers Ferry for a few weeks, but if it wasn’t for the supplies and resources that they found locally within the town, they would not have made it across the now-United States on their well-known expedition where he would then-soon meet William Clark to do. Lewis holds gratitude for the town of Harpers Ferry. Afterwards, Rosie, Papa, and I walked alongside the town’s hilly streets to browse shops, grab some coffee, and then hit the road with some ice cream.

Wrap-Up:

Papa, Rosie, and I LOVED getting to check out Harpers Ferry! We LOVED getting to walk across the C&O Canal Footbridge which leads to train tracks through a mountain (HOW COOL!!!!) and taking in ALL the views of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. What’s neat about Harpers Ferry’s C&O Canal Footbridge is the sheer fact that you can see 3 states in one stroll – Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia along with two iconic rivers to the area (as previously mentioned!). And, there’s SO MUCH history here (including a Civil War battle) in Harpers Ferry (!!!) which my history buff self LOVES knowing. Unfortunately, many of the exhibits (which are all run and complimentary to all guests via the NPS) were under renovation … all of which means that I got to come back at some point – haha!

For a future Harpers Ferry day trip, I’d LOVE to go back in the Fall for the foliage and do a drive by of some historical sites within the area via an NPS app driving tour. There are 3 driving tours at least that the NPS app offers to visitors that are free, accessible, self-guided, and all based on the user’s preferences. All of which I LOVE!

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is one of my favorite places to visit for a nice and blissful day trip that feels *just as if* like you’re not in reality and so so so close to Washington, DC. I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to Harpers Ferry and feel so lucky that I got to recently and hope to again very soon!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Few Hours in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Personally, I find West Virginia one of the most beautiful states that I have ever laid eyes on! Growing up, I would occasionally go on family reunions to Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia – a place rated a hidden gem in the United States on MANY pages listing them! – and fell in love with the state simply on our drives through it. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I recently posted about my day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia with my best friend Bryn. Believe it or not, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is located just an hour-90 minutes west of Washington, DC, making it an easy day trip from the nation’s capital, and it is a beauty!

When coming into the town, it is easiest to drive and simply park there. Harpers Ferry offers parking along its visitors centers and along the streets of the hilly town. The main attractions to visitors in the town are offered at the bottom of the hill, where the town is located. Bryn and I parked at the middle school for free located about 20-30 minutes from the main tourist attractions. Whatever you choose to do – hiking or not, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing and even bring a water bottle for walking as you WILL be walking quite a bit and getting a workout in.

A bit of background about Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: this town is located at the location wherewith the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, also known as The Point, and provides views of both Maryland and Virginia. Harpers Ferry is located just outside of Loudon County, Virginia – a well-known county that is not far from Washington, DC that is legitimately heaven on Earth with its beauty, too. The town even has a train station, which goes into Washington, DC on the daily for commuters. Harpers Ferry is also located along the Appalachian Trail, offering hikes at all levels for visitors, including to the scenic Jefferson Rock which former President Thomas Jefferson found to have such stunning views of the rivers from. This town’s notability comes from being a key site in the 1859 raid of Abolitionist John Brown and a well-known battle during the Civil War. One of the things that I LOVE about Harpers Ferry is the fact that both hiking and sightseeing is offered. So, you can easily come to Harpers Ferry dressed all cute for photos OR dressed all cute for hiking OR a dressed for a little bit of both!

Harpers Ferry has a plethora of small businesses in the town, both for dining and shopping. At the same time, it offers A LOT of historic charm and scenic views at every turn. Bryn and I simply explored many of the shops in town including a candy shop that had candy from decades including the 1920’s, took in the scenic views, and walked across the footbridge over the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Everything both Bryn and I did was for free, too – something EASY to do here in Harpers Ferry.

Honestly, my visit to Harpers Ferry was great. The town’s close proximity to Washington, DC and plethora of scenic views make it an easy not even half day trip from the city and allows me to feel as if I am in heaven on Earth. I loved that it was easy to simply spend $0 while here and to just enjoy the moments, history, and gorgeous views while visiting. This was my second time here in Harpers Ferry, as the first time I went with my Mom during lockdown in 2020 to hike. And, if I were to go back again (which I want to!), I would hike a bit, walk through the town, park MUCH MUCH MUCH closer to the town, and go to a vineyard in nearby Loudon County, Virginia. Either way, there is something for everybody in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Traveling During the Coronavirus Pandemic

At the beginning of this year as any other year, I got real giddy about all of my possible upcoming travels. As it has affected us all, something that starts with a C, known as the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt and has risen a lot of uncertainty on our anticipated travel plans. This year, I had trips in the works to Bethany Beach, Delaware for girl’s and family trips at our family beach house, Charlottesville, Virginia & Charleston, South Carolina for my 21st Birthday, East Grand Lake, Maine & North Lake, New Brunswick, Canada for a family reunion, Emerald Isle, North Carolina & Greenville, North Carolina to visit my roommate in a summer program, Boston, Massachusetts with a hopeful day trip to Newport, Rhode Island to visit my cousin, and a September trip to Asheville, North Carolina with my Honors Program for their annual Fall Trip (luckily, that one has been pushed back to Spring 2021 so fingers crossed!). However, each of those plans has been put on halt. Personally, I hate to say “cancelled”, as I believe that we will ALWAYS have opportunities to travel to the places that may have been crossed off of our bucket lists this year – 2020 is just not the year for some of our trips. While it may be saddening to watch many of our travel plans get put on halt, it DOES NOT mean that we cannot travel; we just have to travel in a different way. Although 2020 may not be the year for us to pack our bags and hop on a plane to someplace far away, it is for sure the year of traveling to places in our own backyards!

Dealing with Travel Uncertainty

Photo taken at Prince William Forest, Triangle, Virginia

I know that for myself, I have experienced the worries of when my next trip will be. For most of us, it appears as if most of our travels will be postponed and/or eventually put off for the 2020 year. While it is extremely hard to not know when your next big trip will be, do not dwell on it. Instead, focus on what you can control and try and explore some place nearby your home or go and visit a friend or family member in a different area (only if you both are comfortable and discuss precautions taken before the visit). Most importantly, remember that you are NOT alone. In fact, pretty much everybody is struggling with the extreme uncertainty that the coronavirus pandemic has brought upon us all, especially as it has affected many of our much-anticipated plans of all kinds. Through it all, we are a community of people that are each going through similar things during this coronavirus pandemic, even if you cannot see it on the surface.

Use This Time as an OPPORTUNITY

Photo taken in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Even though it is a real damper to see many of our trips be put to a halt, it is definitely not good practice to remain in a rut. Remember that it is OKAY to grief and you have every right to feel all the feels. On the contrary, those sad feelings should not keep you from living your best life, especially when it comes to planning new adventures. In commemoration of some of the trips that you were supposed to take this year, it may be fun to plan a day trip nearby or an overnight trip at a friend or family member’s place to still keep those travel feels going strong! Ever want to explore a trail nearby your house or even a State or National Park within a day trip’s reach?! Then, this is the time do it! Having limited time to travel leaves most of us to choose trips to places that are much further than our own homes, which leaves us with not much time (if any) to explore places nearby. For example, I took a day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia – somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit yet never had the time (more on that later!). If you cannot think of any cool places near your house that you’re interested in visiting, then you may want to try Google searching places within a day trip reach of your hometown and see what pops up. You never know what you can find!

Be Sure You Can Keep Your Social Distance

Photo taken at Burke Lake Park, Burke, Virginia

While a trip to a big city may sound like an appealing day trip if you’re near one, I would not recommend putting it on your 2020 trip radar. The Covid-19 pandemic is still looming upon us, and it is not going away at least for now. That being said, it is important to take social distancing precautions while you travel. ALWAYS bring a mask with you no matter where you go, as you never know when and where you may need it. Consequentially, I would suggest keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer with you in your car and/or in your bag as well. Some of the best trips to take to social distance involve walking and hiking trails as well as parks that may offer opportunities for each. However, I wouldn’t discount towns that may have ice cream shops, cafes, or restaurants where you can social distance and still take a stroll. If you choose to explore a town, I recommend going to one that has some sort of outdoor activities or scenic views where you can still maintain your social distance. Additionally, vineyards/breweries are also a great way to take a fun and scenic day trip while keeping your distance.

My Summer 2020 Travels So Far!

Photo taken in downtown Clifton, Virginia

Although my summer travels do not look anything like I anticipated them to, it does not mean that I have not made the best of the current situation. Instead, I have decided to use 2020 as an opportunity to explore where I live. So far, I have explored: Burke Lake Park in Burke, Virginia, the town of Clifton, Virginia, Sugarloaf Mountain & Sugarloaf Vineyard in Dickerson, Maryland, Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the town of Harpers Ferry along the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, and Prince William Forest in Triangle, Virginia. While they are close to home, I have really loved getting to explore each of these destinations. In fact, Harpers Ferry has been a place that I have been dying to see for a few years now, and little did I know, it is such a gem and a great day trip from Northern Virginia. I never truly knew how great the non-suburbia parts and outskirts of the Washington, DC-Virginia-Maryland tristate area were until just a few weeks ago. Personally, I really wish I got to know my backyard outside of the city a lot sooner!

Photo taken at Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson, Maryland
Photo taken at Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, Virginia
Photo taken in downtown Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Photo taken at Sugarloaf Vineyard, Dickerson, Maryland

Future 2020 Travels

Photo taken at Holts Landing State Park near Bethany Beach, Delaware

Having traveled to various places close to home, I am very excited about some of the upcoming travels that I have planned for the remainder of 2020. While past the summer is up in the air at the moment, I do have some exciting adventures planned for the rest of the summer. I will be spending about two weeks including the Fourth of July at my family’s beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. After a few weeks of relaxing seaside, I will be heading for the mountains for an unplugged few days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia right nearby Shenandoah National Park. My Big Sis (essentially a mentor and potential best friend for life) from college and I are also planning a vineyard outing in the upcoming week. There is also a creek right by my house that I’m hoping to plan more outings to with family and friends as well (social-distanced of course!). Excitedly enough, I am planning to share posts on my travels to Bethany Beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the vineyard that my Big Sis and I visit in the coming weeks!

With most of us scratching to get out of our homes, I highly suggest taking a day trip (or two or three) whenever you can. Travel may not look the same right now, but it does not mean that you cannot get out and explore. What the coronavirus pandemic has taught me is to always prioritize travel. Travel has been one of my biggest passions and has taught me SO much about different people and cultures. At the same time, you do not have to go far to meet and see a new culture – there are so many places within a day’s reach that can provide you with just that! Whether you’re in a small town in Virginia or a big city in Europe, there is always room for learning, growth, and exploration along with culture. Just look around: there is SO MUCH adventure out there!

XOXO – Katie <3

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