Page 227 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

WEST VIRGINIA  225

downtown area is today the
Harpers Ferry National
Historic Park. It was here in
1859, that Maryland abolitionist
John Brown led an ill-fated
raid on the federal arsenal.
Although his attempt failed,
this event ignited the Civil War
two years later.
The town looks just as it did
in the 19th century, with
small clapboard storefronts
clinging to steep hillsides that
slope down to the rushing
rivers. Several historic
buildings, including John
Overlook at Hawk’s Nest State Park, New River Gorge National River Brown’s Fort and the arsenal,
are open to visitors.
Class V rapids. The modern O Hawk’s Nest State Park The famous Appalachian Trail
Canyon Rim Visitor Center Hwy 60, Ansted. Tel (304) 658-5212. (see p182–3), which runs through
and gorge bridge provide & Tram Rides, Boat Rides: Call for town, has its headquarters at
easy access to panoramic seasonal operating days and hours. the Appalachian Trail
overlooks and rim hiking trails. ∑ hawksnestsp.com Conservancy. The Trail is a
The visitor center also 2,000-mile (3,220-km) footpath
distributes comprehensive y Harpers Ferry that stretches along the spine
lists of local rafting outfitters, of the Appalachian Mountains
while the nearby Hawk’s Nest * 300. £ @ n NPS Visitor Center, from Georgia to Maine. With
State Park offers modest lodge (304) 535-6029. ∑ nps.gov/hafe an Amtrak train station, Harpers
rooms and operates an aerial Ferry is just an hour’s ride from
tram down to the river for boat Nestled at the confluence of Washington, DC, making this
rides during summer. The the Potomac and Shenandoah remote region accessible for
former mining town of Rivers, where West Virginia visitors without a car.
Fayetteville is also a popular meets Virginia and Maryland, is
base for rafters and outfitters, the tiny town of Harpers Ferry. P Appalachian Trail
while the old industrial town of Named after Robert Harper, Conservancy
Hinton holds a grittier appeal the Philadelphia builder who 799 Washington St. Tel (304) 535-
and is easily accessible to constructed a ferry here in 6331. Open 9am–5pm daily.
visitors via Amtrak. 1761, most of the historic ∑ appalachiantrail.org

Aerial view of Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers

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