Visitor Centers

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy maintains two visitor centers: one in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; the other in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.

Harpers Ferry A.T. Visitor Center  

ATC headquarters (photo: atc)

Located about 0.25 mile off the A.T. in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, this visitor center is at the "psychological halfway point" for many A.T. hikers.  The building housing this visitor center on the first floor also contains ATC's administrative offices on the upper floors.

Hours:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.  We're open year-round, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Contact:  (304) 535-6331; info@appalachiantrail.org

Get directions to Harpers Ferry A.T
Visitor Center. 

The Harpers Ferry A.T. Visitor Center includes:

  • An information desk where a volunteer or staff member is available to answer questions about hiking the Trail, whether you're planning a day-hike, a thru-hike, or something in between. 
  • Printed information resources, such as brochures, hand-outs, and local hiking maps.
  • A shop where you can become an ATC member, purchase A.T. maps, guidebooks, hike preparation books, and all of the other items in the Ultimate A.T. Store catalog.  White gas and denatured alcohol stove fuels are available for a small donation.
  • The. A.T. Museum Society's MacKaye/Avery exhibit, featuring the typewriter of Benton MacKaye and a measuring wheel belonging to Myron Avery.  
  • A one-of-a-kind, 10-foot-long, raised-relief map of the entire Appalachian Trail. 
  • A lounge for hikers and Trail volunteers, with a sign-in register book and albums containing photos of thousands of prospective 2,000-Milers that have visited since 1979.  Lounge also provides a phone and Internet access for hikers.
  • Passport To Your National Parks® Cancellation Station. If you collect the rubber-stamp NPS passport cancellations, we'll be glad to stamp your book to record your visit to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

When you’re planning your visit, be sure to allow time to explore the A.T. or other Harpers Ferry trails, which range from easy river walks to strenuous climbs to overlooks.  Our Harpers Ferry map (PDF) shows the route of the Appalachian Trail through town, along with local services, attractions, and parking information, while our Harpers Ferry Day Hikes (PDF) handout provides brief summaries of popular short hikes in and around town.  Also, the Harpers Ferry Foundation provides more information about other local attractions. 

 

Boiling Springs A.T. Information Center 

Located both on the A.T. and overlooking Children's Lake in picturesque Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, this information center shares space with the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. ATC maro (photo atc)

Schedule:  Open year-round on weekdays. Closed on weekends and federal holidays, though volunteers may be on-site during summer weekends.

Hours:  8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. 

Contact:  (717) 258-5771; 
atc-maro@appalachiantrail.org

Get directions to Boiling Springs A.T. Information Center.

The Boiling Springs A.T. Information Center includes:

  • An information desk where a staff member is available to answer questions about hiking the Trail, whether you’re planning a day-hike, thru-hike, or something in between. Regional A.T. hiking maps are on display. Information about area services and the history of Boiling Springs is also available.
  • Printed information resources, including Trail club brochures, hand-outs, local maps, and a reference library.
  • A small shop where you can purchase guidebooks, postcards, mid-Atlantic region A.T. hiker maps, associated merchandise, and ATC memberships.  White gas and denatured alcohol stove fuels are also available for a small donation.
  • Front porch where the regional FAQ document, hikers' info bulletin board, and Trail register are available seven days a week.
  • On summer weekends, Trail club volunteers may be available on the front porch from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information and assistance.
  • Water faucet on south side of building (unavailable during coldest months of winter).
  • Passport To Your National Parks® Cancellation Station. We provide the NPS passport stamp to record your visit to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

In very close proximity to the Information Center are hiker services, including post office, ATM, convenience stores, a hiker-friendly restaurant, lodging, and municipal swimming pool with showers (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Read more about Boiling Springs.

The small and very busy parking lot in front of the ATC building is restricted to daytime use; please check with staff during office hours.  For long term or overnight parking at the nearby historical park, get a permit from the ATC regional office during working hours (or call ahead during office hours to make other arrangements).  This parking permit, though free, is required. There is no overnight parking in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission parking lot by the lake. Call (717) 258-5771 for more information about the parking permit.

 

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