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.
Photo: Photo Credit: ATC/Benjamin Hays
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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.
- LocationHarpers Ferry, WV
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now72°F Partly Cloudy
- Alerts 2 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Astronomy
- Birds
- Climate Change
- Coniferous Forests
- Deciduous Forests
- Forests and Woodlands
- Headwaters
12 more topics
- Horses (wild)
- Lakes
- Mountains
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- River and Riparian
- Scenic Views
- Trails
- Waterfalls
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
- Wilderness
Alerts (2)
Park ClosureList of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable fu… Read more
Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable future. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for an up-to-date list of closures. OBSERVE ALL CLOSURES. Stay safe!
CautionBlack Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garb… Read more
Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garbage causes it to lose its fear of humans. Follow all food storage regulations, use provided food lockers and never feed a bear.
Things to Do
3 experiences from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Multi-Park Loop
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!
Learn more about Multi-Park Loop on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit Jefferson Rock
Fee applies
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."
Learn more about Visit Jefferson Rock on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit John Brown's Fort
Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Visit John Brown's Fort on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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Activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Damascus Trail Center
Visitor Center
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit…
Details
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Damascus, VA. -
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Monson Visitor Center
Visitor Center
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit…
6 Tenney Hill, Monson, ME (413) 200-0313 Directions
Details
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Monson, ME.
Other Visitor Services
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Harper's Ferry Visitor Center
Facility
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit…
Harpers Ferry, WV Directions
Details
The National Park Service and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail do not currently have a visitor center. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a national non-profit organization, operates its own visitor center in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Hours details
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Appalachian National Scenic TrailOpen 24 hours, daily
In general, the Appalachian Trail is open year-round. The northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine is within Baxter State Park, which may be closed in winter months, depending on weather conditions. Particular sections of the Trail, and less-developed roads accessing the Trail, may be closed temporarily for a number of reasons, but otherwise the trail is open.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
Appalachian Trail Park Office, P.O. Box 50Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
72°F
Partly Cloudy · feels like 68°
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Today
72° 55°
Overcast58% rain -
Tomorrow
77° 55°
Sunny9% rain -
Wednesday
82° 62°
Sunny82% rain
Updated 4 min ago
What to expect by season
It is your responsibility to be prepared for all weather conditions, including extreme and unexpected weather changes year-round. As the trail runs from Georgia to Maine there will be different weather conditions depending on your location. For weather along specific sections of the trail and at specific shelters, please refer to: http://www.atweather.org/
Photos
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The white blaze marks the Appalachian Trail as a way for hikers to identify the route. — Photo Credit: ATC/Matthew Davis -
Getting There
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
There are many points of access along the Appalachian Trail, whether it is by car, train, bus or plane. For more detailed directions, please refer to the "Directions" section of our park webpage.
Mailing address: Appalachian Trail Park Office, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
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