Alert: Hiking southern A.T. discouraged; damage assessment continues after Hurricane Helene

National Scenic Trail

Appalachian

Silhouette of a man with backpack standing on McAfee Knob at sunset with mountains in the distance.
McAfee Knob is one of the most popular locations along the A.T. to take photographs. Photo Credit: ATC/Benjamin Hays

Overview

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

States: CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV3045356278

Hours

  • Sunday: All Day
  • Monday: All Day
  • Tuesday: All Day
  • Wednesday: All Day
  • Thursday: All Day
  • Friday: All Day
  • Saturday: All Day

Fees & Passes

    Map

    Things To Do

    Category

    5 Results
      group of hikers walking single file through a meadow

      Guided Appalachian Trail Hikes

      $

      Description

      Listing of Guided Appalachian Trail Hikes

      More info

      Fees

      A $1 processing fee is charged to secure your spot. 

      Time:2-4 Hours
      water tumbles over rocks

      Multi-Park Loop

      Free

      Description

      Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!

      More info
      Pet Friendly
      vista where two rivers converge; visible gap in the Blue Ridge Mountain range

      Visit The Point at Harpers Ferry

      $

      Description

      Visit where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet! From this location, known as The Point, you look upon three states - Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia - as well as the confluence of the two rivers. We invite you to visit in any season to gaze upon the magnificent sight of this water gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

      More info

      Fees

      Entrance Fees for Harpers Ferry NHP Park passes may be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the park's Visitor Center, Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, Harpers Ferry Train Station, and River Access Parking Lot. Credit cards are accepted only at the Entrance Station. Passes may also be purchased online. Vehicle Pass - $20.00 per single, private vehicle (excludes group tours and 7+ passenger vans - visit the Group Fees and Reservations page for more information). Motorcycle Pass - $15.00 Individual Pass - $10.00 per person arriving on foot or bicycle Harpers Ferry Annual Pass - $35.00 - valid for one year from month of purchase for Harpers Ferry NHP only. Admits pass-holder and passengers in a single, private vehicle (excluding groups) or immediate family if entering by other means. Nontransferable. Can be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the Visitor Center.

      Pet Friendly
      small brick building that is John Brown's Fort with other Lower Town buildings in the background

      Visit John Brown's Fort

      $

      Description

      A visit to John Brown's Fort is more than seeing the building where John Brown and several of his followers barricaded themselves in 1859. The building has a complex history that begins in 1848, continues through to today, and includes four locations in Harpers Ferry and one in Chicago. We invite you to visit this famous Harpers Ferry building and discover what it means to you.

      More info

      Fees

      Entrance Fees for Harpers Ferry NHP Park passes may be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the park's Visitor Center, Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, Harpers Ferry Train Station, and River Access Parking Lot. Credit cards are accepted only at the Entrance Station. Passes may also be purchased online. Vehicle Pass - $20.00 per single, private vehicle (excludes group tours and 7+ passenger vans - visit the Group Fees and Reservations page for more information). Motorcycle Pass - $15.00 Individual Pass - $10.00 per person arriving on foot or bicycle Harpers Ferry Annual Pass - $35.00 - valid for one year from month of purchase for Harpers Ferry NHP only. Admits pass-holder and passengers in a single, private vehicle (excluding groups) or immediate family if entering by other means. Nontransferable. Can be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the Visitor Center.

      Pet Friendly
      Jefferson Rock view at sunrise; pink in the sky and a light fog over a mountain gap and rivers

      Visit Jefferson Rock

      $

      Description

      Hike along the Appalachian Trail in Harpers Ferry, WV to see the view Thomas Jefferson once described as "one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature."

      More info

      Fees

      Entrance Fees for Harpers Ferry NHP Park passes may be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the park's Visitor Center, Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, Harpers Ferry Train Station, and River Access Parking Lot. Credit cards are accepted only at the Entrance Station. Passes may also be purchased online. Vehicle Pass - $20.00 per single, private vehicle (excludes group tours and 7+ passenger vans - visit the Group Fees and Reservations page for more information). Motorcycle Pass - $15.00 Individual Pass - $10.00 per person arriving on foot or bicycle Harpers Ferry Annual Pass - $35.00 - valid for one year from month of purchase for Harpers Ferry NHP only. Admits pass-holder and passengers in a single, private vehicle (excluding groups) or immediate family if entering by other means. Nontransferable. Can be purchased at the Cavalier Heights Entrance Station near the Visitor Center.

      Pet Friendly

    More Images

    Silhouette of a man with backpack standing on McAfee Knob at sunset with mountains in the distance.
    Silhouette of a man with backpack standing on McAfee Knob at sunset with mountains in the distance.
    The Appalachian Trail runs across a mountain ridge line with views to the horizon of mountain range.
    The Appalachian Trail runs across a mountain ridge line with views to the horizon of mountain range.
    A white blaze marks a tree in the foreground, with a man and child walking away on the wooded trail.
    A white blaze marks a tree in the foreground, with a man and child walking away on the wooded trail.
    A volunteer is carrying a split log while walking across a wooden footbridge in the woods.
    A volunteer is carrying a split log while walking across a wooden footbridge in the woods.
    A snowy winter view from the A.T. overlooking snowy mountains and clouds in the distance.
    A snowy winter view from the A.T. overlooking snowy mountains and clouds in the distance.