Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

Blue Ridge Outfitters

Looking for a new and exciting activity? Try a white water rafting trip down the Shenandoah or Potomac River. Or maybe you would like to try a guided fishing trip. The guide (who has over 60 years experience) will show the best places to find bass, carp, catfish, blue gills and many others. All equipment is provided. Other activities include float trips, white water canoeing and swift water canoeing. Reservations are required. For more information and group discounts call 304-725-3444.

River Riders

It’s time again for water activities! River Riders has a variety of fun activities which include rafting, canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Reservations are required. For more information please call 304-535-2663, or visit them online.

Harpers Ferry Flea Market

The flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays March through December. The largest one 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 Speedway

Began in 1969, the Summit Point Speedway 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. 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. Offers breathtaking view of the magnificent Cumberland Valley to the west and the renowned Middletown Valley to the east.

Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery

The site of the only major battle of the Civil War in Loudoun County. Open daylight til 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. Historical exhibit with artifacts connected to John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, Features Civil War memorabilia along with historic documents of many Washington families. Open April to October, closed Sundays. For more information call 304-725-8628. Free admission.

Old Opera House Theatre

Charles Town. Built by descendants of Charles Washington, brother of the first U.S. president. Now home to a local theater company. Call 304-725-4420 for current production schedule.

Harpers Ferry and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

Located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Original town restored. Exhibits and interpretive presentations. 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/.