Outdoors

hiking and biking Harpers Ferry potomac and shenandoah rivers

Unique and Spectacular

There are few places with the outdoor recreation opportunities that we have here in Jefferson County. Miles of scenic hiking and biking trails are highlighted by the Appalachian Trail. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers are home to great fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and tubing. We have professional outfitters that can take care of all of the logistics and equipment for any adventure and guide you on a memorable adventure.

If golf is your passion, we have three championship courses that you will love and will challenge players of all skill levels. Each course is set in the beautiful backdrop of our mountain towns and within a short drive of downtown.

Jefferson County is a four-season destination. When the snow flies, check out Snow Riders, with the longest snow tubing hill in the mid-Atlantic region.

Top 5 Hikes

Hiking & Biking

It's common to see serious cyclists out enjoying the terrain in Jefferson County. There are also plenty of opportunities for hikers to go for a short stroll or an invigorating multi-mile trek. In fact, the famous Appalachian Trail runs right through Harpers Ferry.

Scenic view of harpers ferry West Virginia from Maryland heights trail
biking harpers ferry West Virginia
hiking C&O Canal trail Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Rafting & Watersports

The Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers converge here in Jefferson County and offer some truly spectacular rafting and floating opportunities. We have several rafting and river tour outposts and outfitters that can help you gear up before you head out. You can also tube on the snow in the winter months at Snow Riders.

snow riders
scenic Potomac River Harpers Ferry West Virginia
zipline harpers Ferry West Virginia
canoeing Shepherdstown West Virginia

Fishing & Wildlife

The Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers are perfect for anglers who want to catch a variety of species of fish. Both self-guided and professionally-guided fishing are allowed. Jefferson County also has several wildlife management or wildlife viewing areas where you can get a glimpse of the local fauna. Get a West Virginia fishing or hunting license and you'll be ready to hunt and fish on our beautiful public grounds.

fishing Harpers Ferry West Virginia
Historical home Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Top 5 Outdoor Pursuits in Jefferson County

Where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet and majestic mountains rise, you can’t resist the call of the wild. It’s easy to answer in Jefferson County, where outfitters provide the equipment and guidance – all you have to do is choose your adventure. From hiking legendary trails to conquering whitewater rapids and discovering secret fishing spots, here are five of the best things to do outside in Jefferson County.

1. Take an epic hike. The legendary Appalachian Trail runs right through Harpers Ferry, near the headquarters and visitor center of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Pick up a guidebook or chat about your hiking plans at the conservancy’s visitor center, then get underway: Nearby, a blaze leads to a footbridge over the Potomac River and continues to the historic C&O Canal. From the C&O, long-distance hikers can connect to the Great Allegheny Passage, a rails-to-trails route that spans 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.

2. Ride the rivers. In Harpers Ferry, the outfitter River Riders has you covered for just about any adventure, from cycling to a treetop challenge course. But in this town defined by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, you must get on the water. River Riders’ whitewater rafting trips conquer class I-III rapids (target spring or fall for maximum thrills, when water levels rush). You can even experience whitewater tubing with the River Riders Potomac adventure, which zips you over the river’s rapids alongside the historic town. Slow down with River Riders’ Shenandoah float – a ride so mild, you can bring a picnic. River Riders rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, too, but note that all activities are subject to seasonality, weather conditions and some age restrictions.

3. Catch the big one. Make Harpers Ferry your hub for fishing in Jefferson County. This town situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers promises productive fishing – especially if you’re after smallmouth bass. In fact, Fly Fisherman magazine named both rivers to its top 10 for surface fly-fishing the species. Book your excursion with The Angler’s Inn – proprietor Bryan Kelly is head guide, with two decades of experience and a carefully selected team of local guides to assist you. Angler’s Inn excursions include your vessel (specially engineered by Kelly to maneuver the rivers’ tight spots), on-board guide and equipment for fly-fishing and spin-casting.

4. Pedal and paddle. In the heart of West Virginia’s oldest town, Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle rents equipment and runs guided excursions. Book a “Pedal & Paddle” package to cycle along the C&O Canal, an essential access to the Allegheny Mountains (and its coal) between the 1820s and 1920s. Brake for ice cream before paddling back to Shepherdstown via the Potomac River – the waterway affords picture-perfect views of the historic town and surrounding mountains. Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle also guides historic cycling tours to neighboring Harpers Ferry. Want to explore on your own? The outfitter rents bikes, canoes, kayaks and even tubes for river floating, plus all the essentials (helmets, paddles and life jackets).

5. Swing for it. In Charles Town, two golf courses invite public access. Family-owned Sleepy Hollow Golf & Country Club is laidback for the love of the game: Rates are affordable, your green fee is good all day, and there are no designated tee times to plan around. Locust Hill Golf Course was rated one of the best public access courses in West Virginia by Golfweek magazine. Both courses offer 18 holes and a winning Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop.