Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

Jefferson County's Best Kept Secret!

The Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA is a fantastic vacation destination spot that's perfect for the whole family. Thanks to you, this year we received the 2011 KOA  PRESIDENT'S AWARD. That means our campground facilities and Camper satisfaction scores are some of the best around. We are making things even better in 2012!  Our new Specialty Coffee and Wine Store, GRAPES & GRINDS, has been a popular place for morning specialty coffees and evening wine tastings and we added even more deluxe cabins that sleep 4 and offer a private bath and kitchenette.With new manager, Jessie Getman, comes a new twist on our special themed weekends and activities.

We still have all of the fun stuff you've come to love about our kampground, like Polly's Poolside Lookout, an awesome Giant Jumping Pillow,  Kamp K-9 Dog Park,  Civil War Living History Museum, our unbeatable cannon-firing and  hot-off-the-grill pancakes.. So make your plans now to come and make some history all your own. See you soon!

Visit Our Website

Meet Your Hosts

Campground Amenities

• 50 Max Amp
• 65' Max Length
• Wi-Fi
• Cable TV ($)
• Pool (Open May 1 to Oct 1)
• Snack Bar ($)
• Propane ($)
• Mini Golf
• Firewood ($)
• Pavilion
• Bike Rentals ($)

• KOA Convenience Store
• Laundry
• Civil War Living History Museum (Seasonal)
• Controlled Entrance Gate
• FREE Wi-fi

• Polly's Poolside Look-out (Seasonal)
• KOA Cafe
• A bunk house that sleeps up to 20
• LP Gas

• 4000 Square foot Ballroom
• 3000 Square Foot Arcade
• Pavilion/Meeting Rooms
• RV Storage

Campground Activities

Theme Weekends

Awesome themed weekends add a special spice to your KOA getaway. Check out our 2011 schedule. (Seasonal)

Jr. Olympic Size Swimming Pool

Summer fun begins with a splash in our heated Jr. Olympic-size pool. Find a spot on the deck in the sun or in the shade under an umbrella and relax by the crystal blue water.

Kamp K-9 Dog Park

Spend some quality "off-leash" time with your four-legged family friend. Fenced in, complete with a doggie teeter-totter, a little dog club house, weaving poles and plenty of room to play ball or fetch.

18-Hole Mini Golf

Round of "putt-putt" anyone? Our mini golf course is the ideal activity for some family competition in the sun.

Covered Giant Jumping Pillow

A cross between a trampoline and a bounce castle, the jumping pillow offers a new experience for all ages. With a shade cover, the family can spend hours going airborne!

Animal Ambassadors

Here's a chance for kids to touch and learn about different exotic or common animals.

Newly Renovated Playground

Complete with tether ball, swings, rocking horses, climbing towers and merry-go-round, the playground is conveniently located right next to the pancake pavilion.

Movies

Wrap up your day of fun in the sun with a family movie played in our renovated 100-person indoor theater.

Giant Chess Set

Checkmate! Challenge your best opponent to a battle of concentration with these chess pieces that are over 2 feet tall.

Basketball and Volleyball

Weather won't keep you from challenging your friends and family to a game! Choose from our indoor or outdoor basketball courts, or have fun outside on our sandy volleyball court.

Horseshoes

How about some one-on-one fun at our newly refurbished horseshoe pits?

Bicycle Rentals

Traditional single bicycles are always a favorite but we also have two seat bicycles and three-wheeler "banana bikes." Rentals are hourly or daily. Additional fees apply.

Indoor Arcade

Complete with pool tables, air hockey tables, shooting games, riding games, prize games and more. Some additional fees may apply.

Ice Cream Socials

Gather family and friends for a Saturday evening Ice Cream Social. We'll supply the toppings! (Seasonal)

Free Pancake Breakfast

Grab a stack of FREE fluffy hotcakes to start your morning right. Coffee, juice, milk and sausage available for a charge.

Golf Cart Rentals

There is nothing quite like a wilderness golf cart ride. Rentals are hourly or daily. Rental rates do apply. Must be a state licensed driver. Some restrictions apply. (Seasonal)

Hay Wagon Rides

Held on Saturdays, it's a great way to cruise the KOA. (Seasonal)

Civil War Cannon Firing

Sign up for your chance to fire the Authentic Civil War Cannon - Saturday(s) (seasonal). Kids can sign up for their chance to ring the ceremonial bell!

Craft Fairs and Christmas Bazaars

Local vendors and craftmakers alike gather for these awesome community markets. Check out our calendar below or call for date and time information.

Auctions

Seasonal - check out our calendar or call for dates and times.

Local Attractions

River Riders

NEW Tree Top Canopy Tours! River Riders has a variety of fun activities which include rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and NEW this year the Tree Top Canopy Tours. This new adventure includes 8 Zip Lines and 2 High Bridges. The Tours will take approximately 2 1/2 hours to complete and is guaranteed to be awesome fun for the whole family. Reservations are required. For more information please call 800-326-7238, or visit them online at www.riverriders.com.

Harpers Ferry Flea Market

The flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays from March through December. This is the largest flea market in the area. It boasts food, 2 pavilions, gravel walkways, 5 acres of parking and indoor restrooms.

Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum

This museum was established in 1970 by Robert E. Wallich who began collecting trains when he was just a child and never gave up his hobby for 72 years. There are trains of every size and make on display. Don’t miss the 75-foot long operating Standard Gauge layout. Kids and adults alike will enjoy an outdoor miniature train ride. Open weekends April through October (weather permitting). For more information call (304) 725-2521.

Brunswick Railroad Museum

It’s a step into the past. See the 1891 train station and the museum’s famous HO scale model railroad. View where the steam engines were repaired in the c. 1907 roundhouse and changed in direction on the turntable. Let your children operate the switches on the model railroad. Open April to January. For more information or group reservations call (301) 834-7100.

George Washington’s Headquarters

Cumberland, MD. This building is the only remaining structure of Fort Cumberland, circa 1755. (301) 777-5132

The Narrows and Lover’s Leap

The Cumberland Narrows, a spectacular break in the Allegheny Mountains with vertical rocky walls which rise more than 800 feet above Wills Creek and the main line of the B&O Railroad. During daylight hours, drive on the top of the eastern wall.

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Learn about the medical stories of the Civil War, the aftermath of battle, care and comfort of the wounded and the innovations in medicine during this period. Located in Frederick, the museum is free and donations are accepted. Open year round. For more information call 1-800-564-1864.

Charles Town Races

The races began in 1933. Long famed for its exciting thoroughbred horse racing has both day and nighttime racing of over 200 racing days a year in luxurious surroundings. The races are four days a week. They also offer full card simulcasting with greyhound dogs. Video lottery now available, renovation has been completed. For reservations and group information call 304-725-7001.

Summit Point Motor Sports Park

Began in 1969, the Summit Point Motor Sports Park has 2 mile road racing circuit. You can find amateur sports car, Go-Cart and motorcycle racing for 21 weekends and 2 weekends of Vintage sports cars each year. You can even race around the Go-Cart track in the NEW KOA Sponsored Carts. For more information call 304-725-8444.

Ghost Tours

The Ghost Tours run from May 1 through November 8. Enjoy a walking tour of things that occurred in buildings in Harpers Ferry that tie in with historical events. Private tours are available during the week for 20 or more people. For more information call 304-725-8019.

Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown is the oldest municipality in West Virginia. It is the home of Shepherd College founded in 1871. There is a monument on the Potomac River where John Rumsey gave the first public steamboat demonstration in 1787. The world’s oldest and largest waterwheel operated Thomas Shepherd’s Grist Mill in 1739.

Harpers Ferry Overlook (The Gap)

See West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland as Thomas Jefferson did when he sat on nearby Jefferson Rock and in 1801 wrote of the view, "This view is well worth a trip across the Atlantic."

Appalachian Trail

Hiking trail over 2,000 miles long extending from Maine to Georgia, on the crest of the South Mountain between Washington and Frederick counties in Maryland. The trail offers breathtaking view of the magnificent Cumberland Valley to the west and the renowned Middletown Valley to the east.

Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery

This cemetery is the site of the only major battle of the Civil War in Loudoun County. Open from daylight until dark.

Charles Town

Jefferson County seat, named after George Washington’s youngest brother. Six homes built by the Washington family still stand, showing the first president’s influence on the area.

Jefferson County Courthouse

The first courthouse was built in 1803 and was rebuilt in 1836 due to the large growth rate in the area. This was the courthouse that would later be the site of one of the most famous trials in history. On October 16, 1859, John Brown led a band of 21 men against the Federal Arsenal and Armory at Harpers Ferry. Six men were captured by troops under Colonel Robert E. Lee. They were arrested and charged with murder, inciting slaves to riot and treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. The trial began Wednesday, October 26, and concluded Monday, October 31, 1859. John Brown was found guilty and sentenced to hang. A brief battle on October 18, 1863 damaged the courthouse. After that it was used as a stable. By war’s end the metal roof had been removed and made into bullets. The Court House was not restored until 1872. Free admission. For special tours call 304-728-7713.

Jefferson County Museum

Jefferson County Museum is located in Charles Town. The museum features a historical exhibit with artifacts connected to John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, and Civil War memorabilia along with historic documents of many Washington families. The museum is open from April to October and is closed on Sundays. For more information call 304-725-8628. Free admission.

Old Opera House Theatre

Located in nearby Charles Town, WV only 15 minutes from Harpers Ferry KOA. This beautiful theatre was built in 1910 by descendants of Charles Washington, brother of the first U.S. president. This historic beauty is filled with history and is now home to a local theater company. Their 2011 Play Schedule is as follows: My Fair Lady - May 12-15 & 19-22 City of Angels - Sept 8-11 & 15-18 Unnecessary Farce - Oct 21-23 & 28-30 A Christmas Story - Dec 8-11 & 15-18 Call 304-725-4420 for ticket information. Web Site: www.oldoperahouse.org

Harpers Ferry and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

Harper's Ferry is located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. The original town has been restored and includes exhibits and interpretive presentations. You'll also find a wax museum, arsenal site, armory, B&O Railroad Station, St. Peter’s Church, shops and hiking trails. Open year round. For more information call 304-535-6029, or visit the National Park Service Harpers Ferry website.

Harper Cemetery

Harpers Ferry. Above Jefferson Rock is the old Harper Cemetery in which Revolutionary War soldiers and Robert Harper are buried.

Harper House

Harpers Ferry. Robert Harper built this house in 1780. It faces a hill side with cave-like cellars carved from stone. The Public Walk is a flagstone street that runs behind the house.

Old Stone Steps

Harpers Ferry. 44 steps carved in solid rock in about 1810. They lead from High Street, up the steep hillside to the Public Walk, past Harper House, along the path to St. Peter’s Catholic Church and to Jefferson Rock.

Local area information

Please visit the following website for more information about our local area: http://www.harpersferrywv.net/.

Civil War Living History Museum

This museum is located in the KOA in Harper's Ferry. The museum has been located in the KOA for 17 years. Dave Hartman was the original curator and historian of the museum. Dave was a reenactor and well loved by all those who came in contact with him while camping. In August of 2009 the museum was sold to Marsha Wood. Tom and Marsha are proud to announce that the museum moved into a newly renovated spot in the KOA. The new museum will offer a map area, reading spot for history enthusiast, encampment and many other items. The goal is that every camper will participate in the events that will be held in the museum. The next 4 years will be an exciting time at the museum as we will be celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Hours of operation: 10:30-5:30 Days of operation: Every Saturday (from March until October); Sundays (on Holiday weekends); Other days and times by appointment. Contact: (540) 822-5148 email: livingcivilwarmuseum@yahoo.com web site: www.livingcivilwarhistorymuseum.com

Civil War Trench

Pitch a tent next to an authentic Civil War trench.

Antietam National Battlefield

Near Sharpsburg. Daily 18 minute orientation slide program. Weather permitting, an 8-mile self-guided auto or bike tour is available. See www.nps.gov/anti/ for more information.

Skyline Caverns

Skyline Caverns is one of only a few places in the world where you will find unique formations known as Anthodites or "Orchids of the Mineral Kingdom." Enjoy the splendor of the Capitol Dome, Rainbow Trail, The Painted Desert, The Wishing Well, The Grotto of Nativity, Cathedral Hall, The Shrine, Fairyland Lake, The Anthodites including three underground streams and 37 foot Rainbow Waterfall. Kids of all ages will enjoy a ride on the Skyline Arrow. A ten minute ride on the 1/5th scale miniature train will carry you around Horseshoe Curve, across Apache Flats, by Kissing Rock and Sinkhole Overlook and through Boothill Tunnel. For more information or group rates call 1-800-296-4545.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg Pennsylvania was the site of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil War. It was also the bloodiest single battle of the war, resulting in over 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured, or missing. The Visitor Center and Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War houses the electric map, a large bookstore, licensed battlefield guides, current schedules of ranger-conducted programs and Civil War exhibits.

Eisenhower National Historic Site

Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield is the home and farm of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The farm served as a meeting place and weekend retreat for world leaders. Tour the home, grounds, barn and cattle operation.