The shop and front information are absolutely a must visit place while you're in Harper's Ferry. The relief map is mind boggling to see up close. There's no charge to enter the station and every so often real trail rangers come in and talk about the trail conditions. The staff all know every answer to the questions with detail and live conditions of the trail 2-3 times a day. Get the feel and natural hit of it all- and while you are there buy some ATC merchandise OR make a donation for the trail OR DO BOTH! All the proceeds benefit the trail! It's free to enter and enjoy the store and map room and that's a great price! It's a worthy national treasure to support this one! read more

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Great place to stop if you are beginner or experienced hiker. They have tons of resources available for you...from restrooms, to places to refill your water, to books, and a lunge for hikers. You can take a break and look through thousands of pictures of hikers who have completed the Appalachian trail or you can chat with one of the volunteers about their experiences. Either way, you will leave with more knowledge than you had when you got here!!! We will be back once we have completed the trail!!! read more

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Certainly I'm not the first person to write on this. But trust, I searched and searched to make sure I had a good address, one that would have been used by the hordes I assumed preceded me. I'm not much for gaming this system to load up on firsts. I found nothing. How strange. The Trail is one of the best American experiences; to many, the penultimate. Why for the quiet Yelping? Ten-dozen moons ago as my brother and his pretty wife and new baby prepared to move back to NY after a few years in SF I had my best idea. Ever. I was sad, you see, as Adam and I had started a little consulting business and built it into something about which we were both proud and through that and other things that went down during grew quite close. And now he was leaving. What could we do, I wondered, to sustain the gift we'd been given? I suggested and he agreed to section-hike the Appalachian Trail. Each year since, beginning in 2000 and continuing to this day, Adam and I head off for a walk in the woods. As the family is still our shuttle to and from trailheads we began closest to them, at the CT-MA line and walked north. It took a few years to make it to Maine, and at that point, even though we had a 300 mile piece left in the north the distance for our porters had grown substantial and we thought it best to go back to where we had begun and head south. To date we've covered from the Maine line south to Harrisburg, PA. The AT is a 2,100 mile ribbon through the woods, from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Some choose to walk it in a single season, others like me and Adam do it in pieces. Hikers venture into the woods for a variety of reasons - a physical challenge, a vision quest, to re-center, to relax. There are log books at each shelter or campsite, to afford those walking the means to share a bit of their experience, to describe their motivation. Most striking for me were the books I wrote in and read in the spring of 2002. They were the registers at the shelters in the fall of the year prior. It was remarkable and moving to read the entries on September 12 of the year before. Walking for days might not seem automatically your cup of tea, particularly for a set so urban and urbane. But trust me, as a native of the concrete jungle myself, when I offer this - to set to an undertaking like the AT (or the PCT, or any other of the myriad variety practically in our backyard) where even in the company of others you're really quite alone with your thoughts and desires and imagination for days on end, is incredibly special, immeasurably valuable. Clearly, this is a subject on which books have been written and I could wax on accordingly. I'll spare us both today. There will be many more five-star check-ins here. Because, as per Jimmy Cliff, we still have many bridges to cross. read more

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What a cool spot! I am not what you may call an experienced hiker, more like an experienced instagrammer who wanted to take a cool picture on the trail. But talking to the legit hiking people here was awesome! One dude we met was on his way from Georgia from Maine. Boy did he look tired. Anyway the people who work here are very lovely and willing to help offer suggestions and maps. This is a lovely stop over which should not be missed for photo ops or serious hikers alike. read more

Who knew that you could review a hiking trailing yelp? Oh white blazed trail, how I hate you when I'm going uphill, but I love you going downhill. You've given me hours... No days of joy. Never change! read more

We made it! Halfway (almost). It's crazy to think we've walked 1024 miles to even make it to this point. If you know about the AT then you know how iconic this place is. We stopped in to get our picture taken and to spend some time soaking in the point on the trail we've worked so hard to make it to. The guy that was there working today was really great and very friendly. It's a little ways off the trail but don't pass it up! read more

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

For any outdoor hiking enthusiast, who wouldn't want to take a walk on the Appalachian Trail. Well when you do, make sure to stop into the conservatory for guide information. Oh...then look across the street into the mountains and think about all those hikers and marvel at how beautiful this county, the good ole USA is. These mountains are gorgeous! read more

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Take a hike! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Great hiking trail, and Beautiful scenery! There is plenty of parking available. I definitely recommend this trail. Also lots of restaurants and shops. read more

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

There is reason why The Appalachian Trail is the most famous hiking trail in all of the world: because It is the best hiking trail in the world! If you disagree, then you have never hiked it. My Goal is to one day hike the entire trail from its start in Springer Mountain, Georgia to its end in Mount Katahdin, Maine. All 2,181 miles! But until then I have to content my self with the small Western Massachusetts portion of it (about 90 miles) all of which runs through the beautiful heart of Berkshire County! But even hiking only this small part of it you will see and hear and feel things that stay with you forever. Whether it is the inspiring view from Mount Greylock's epic summit, or the babbling brooks and placid lakes you will wade your sore feet in, or the classic New England Stone walls you will sit and dine on, or the abundance of wild life, flora and fauna you will see on any days hike: all of this leaves such a deep imprint on you that it becomes a part of you. You will call on your memories of your Appalachian hike, like a comforting photo album, when life's stressors seem overwhelming and its brilliant memories will always give you solace and calm in the face of adversity; with a much needed appreciation of what really matters in this world and the next. And then you will see through all life's stresses and all life's pain like you see through the water that runs down your drain. Here are some tips to make your hike here as memorable as can be: 1. Prepare! This web site is probably the best source for this: http://www.atctrailstore.org/ 2. Check weather.com religiously and dress appropriately. 3. Contact the www.mass.gov/dcr web site to find the best ways to get to the Massachusetts portion of the trail and where to stow your care free of charge! 4. If you come across any wild animals on your Appalachian hike, AND YOU WILL, such as Bears, or Cougars (the actual animals! Not the women on Match.com who are much more scary) Or Wolves, or Coyotes, or Bob cats, never run! If you run, then you are prey! And they MAY chase after you. Just stand perfectly still and the wild animals will just think you are part of the forest and go on about their way. 5. And never take pictures of the wild animals: They are very sensitive about that since the wild animals have gotten a lot of bad press recently on Fox News and will react like Gary Busey on the Apprentice. 6. And NEVER feed the animals! (It just creates a culture of dependency among them.) 7. If you pass AND YOU WILL bushes and bushels of wild Raspberries and wild Strawberries and wild Blackberries DON'T EAT THEM! They are poison!!! (Okay...That was a lie. I just said that so you wont eat them all and leave none for me...since I now use these berries for my French toast Brunch) 8. Do Enjoy the majesty of nature in all its wondrous glory! And then go back home and vote for politicians who will protect it and not turn it all into Starbucks and mall parking lots. Do all that, and hike here, and you can't go wrong! Don't Hike here (or another one of America's Great trails) and wrong will never leave your home! read more

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First and foremost, I will give all visitors a heads up and let them know that the center is well off the main trail, even outside the historic district that is Harpers Ferry, WV. However, the "headquarters" for the AT is in a pretty town that looks inviting for a casual afternoon stroll. The building is located about a mile or so up river from the old town. So about the AT Conservatory. They have a small exhibit showing some famous moments and achievments in the trails history. In another room, adjacent to the exhibits is a "lounge" where hikers and those interested in learning more about the trail can converse. They also have a refrigerator with cold beverages, that is really a life-saver on a 90+ degree day. The staff are nice enough, however some of the employees are more apt. to the trials and tribulations of the AT than others. Either way, this place is a must for all passing through Harper's Ferry or those just interested in learning more about the trail. read more

The A.T.C. office in Harpers Ferry has general information and maps, as well as thru-hiker friendly facilities. They carry topo maps as well as (I think) various A.T.-related books, and they have a giant (10' or 15') embossed topo map of the trail. The staff were friendly (and knowledgeable about trail conditions), and they had a water and weather report available. They also have a bathroom (with a scale) and a hiker room (with registers and a computer) for thru-hiker use. I started a half-thru-hike in Harpers Ferry (hiking from there to Springer Mt. in Georgia Sept-Dec 2010), and it was fun to stop in at the A.T.C. (and have my picture taken) before heading out. It would also be a good place to stop through (for weather/water reports, bathroom, computer, registers) during a thru-hike. (Note also that there's a blue-blaze from the A.T.C. south to the A.T., so you don't have to go the long way up and back Washington St..) read more

Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Outside the A.T.C., on the south side of Washington Street. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

If you're familiar at all with the Appalachian Trail, then you MUST see this place. It is absolutely amazing to see the history, and talk to the thru hikers, and gather information from the volunteers. This is a bucket list item as soon as I retire, so this was surreal to see the 1/2 way point (almost), and to see how everything comes together for the trail. It's because of this place, that the AT can survive and thrive. I came here by myself on a day trip without my husband or kids, but I'm definitely looking forward to at least taking him next time; it might just be after we've hiked 1,000 miles! read more

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The Appalachian Trail is amazing and the section through Harpers Ferry is one of the best. It's a not to miss excursion to see at least 4 scenic overlooks in one town! read more

Everyone who works at the ATC is very knowledgeable about all of the trails in the area, not just the AT, and were so helpful in identifying the various options given our time restrictions and energy levels. It was also so interesting to learn more about the AT, and see the pictures and maps in the ATC center. Thank you! read more

This place is amazing. They have a lot of resources and tools for you to use. It is really outdoor friendly (which it needs to be!). The staff was really friendly and could answer all of my questions. It's a great place to stop if you are hiking the Harper's Ferry section because they have a computer you can use if you are hiking through. The parking isn't that great, but if you are hiking...you won't have to worry about that!! read more