Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located on the border of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, is important to providing access to the outdoors for the DC metro region. It is a significant climbing resource in the mid-Atlantic, providing unique opportunities for multi-pitch traditional climbing, top roping, and bouldering. Mid Atlantic Climbers is currently working on multiple initiatives with the community and the Park:

What’s Next?

CLIMBING ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Park has indicated that future climbing access decisions will be guided by a climbing management planning process. We await the start of this process, which is currently expected in Spring 2022. All Virginia climbing in the park, as well as Jefferson Rock, Shenandoah Street Cliffs, and all cliffs along Shenandoah Street in the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry, WV is currently closed as detailed on the Park’s website.

SUPPORTING SEASONAL PEREGRINE FALCON CLOSURE

To provide peregrine falcons adequate space for nesting, MAC supported the closure of portions of Maryland Heights from Feb. 16 to July 29, 2022.

PERMANENT MARYLAND HEIGHTS PARKING PROPOSAL

Harpers Ferry announced a permanent closure for the Maryland Heights parking areas on May 20, 2022. MAC had submitted comments along with our partners at Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and Outdoor Alliance earlier in the year to request that alternatives to the closure be considered for additional public input and data gathering. We continue to encourage the Park to explore access alternatives to this parking closure, and await a response from the Park regarding solutions to address parking concerns.

Latest Milestone

On June 23, MAC submitted a letter along with our partners at Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and Outdoor Alliance in response to the Maryland Heights permanent parking closure decision.

How Can I Help?

If you’re interested in getting more involved in Harpers Ferry access issues and the climbing management plan, sign up here:

Questions?

Harpers Ferry Climbing Information

Popular Areas

Alerts and Closures

To provide peregrine falcons adequate space for nesting, portions of Maryland Heights are seasonally closed. Check back in 2023 for the dates and route closure locations.
All Virginia climbing in the park, as well as Jefferson Rock, Shenandoah Street Cliffs, and all cliffs along Shenandoah Street in the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry, WV is closed as detailed on the Park’s website.
Maryland Heights parking areas are currently closed.