A historical Civil War location is surrounded by miles of beautiful hiking trails
By Andy Temmel
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park provides numerous experiences for guests including historical sites and various forms of recreation such as miles of hiking trails through rolling hills overlooking rushing rivers.
The national park, located in West Virginia and wedged between the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is home to the historical raid of famous abolitionist John Brown and Civil War battle sites, as well as the Appalachian Trail, which stretches down the spine of the mountain chain.
When seeking out some historical locations, visitors can flock to Lower Town, which is filled with museums and exhibits, including John Brown’s Fort and The Point, a scenic hangout overlooking the confluence of the two rivers as they flow towards the Chesapeake Bay.
A little bit more out of “town,” you can visit famous Civil War battle sites, including Bolivar Heights, which, according to the National Park Service website, is “one of the most important Civil War battlefields in West Virginia.”
Aside from Civil War historical features, the national park also offers “historic trade workshops” that provide an interactive and informative experience on trades and skills from the 1800s.
Harpers Ferry also acts as the unofficial halfway point of the 2,193-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail and is home to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, established in 1925, and leads the effort in maintaining and conserving the trail for future generations.
