Appalachian Trail: Turners Gap to Harpers Ferry

Appalachian National Scenic Trail, South Mountain State Park and C&O Canal (Turners Gap to Harpers Ferry)

The southern half of the Appalachian Trail in Maryland follows South Mountain from Turners Gap to Weverton Cliffs, then drops to the Potomac River and joins the C&O Canal towpath for the last few miles to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The ATC describes the Maryland section as having “relatively little elevation gain and loss,” and Civil War history is everywhere along this stretch.

The route ends across the river in West Virginia, but it’s listed here under Maryland. Right now, getting across the Potomac depends on a shuttle (see the notice above).

The hike

Virginia Trail Guide, which hiked Maryland southbound in 2017, started its fourth day at Dahlgren Backpack Campground just past Turners Gap. At 0.8 mile it crossed Reno Monument Road, with South Mountain Creamery 0.2 mile off the trail, then climbed to the Rocky Run Shelters on a 0.4-mile round-trip spur. Wikipedia says the original Rocky Run shelter was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 and completed in 1941, and is one of 15 CCC shelters still standing on the AT; volunteers later added a larger log shelter and a privy nearby.

The trail then climbs to Lambs Knoll, which the DNR lists as one of the highest AT points in the state, with White Rock Cliff 0.2 mile beyond a side trail. A 3.2-mile descent leads to Crampton Gap Shelter, then 0.4 mile to Gathland State Park, the former estate of a Civil War correspondent. The ATC notes its war correspondents’ monument is “the only war correspondents monument in the United States.” SectionHiker found water at a frost-free pump near the park restrooms.

South of Gathland, Virginia Trail Guide passed Brownsville Gap at 1.9 miles and Ed Garvey Shelter at 3.7 miles. SectionHiker describes Ed Garvey as a two-story shelter whose loft has its own entrance “around back, which is pretty unique.” The unmarked but well-worn spur to Weverton Cliffs comes at 5.8 miles, with a view over the Potomac. The trail then descends to Weverton Road and follows the towpath, which the 2017 guide found “a bit boring,” to the Byron Memorial Footbridge at about 8.8 miles.

With the footbridge closed, the ATC encourages long-distance hikers to arrange their own transportation across the river and suggests others hike only one side of the Potomac. The free shuttle runs from Lock 34, about 0.9 mile west of the footbridge, to the Harpers Ferry visitor center.

For the northern half of the state, see Pen Mar to Turners Gap. The towpath continues upstream for nearly 125 miles to the Paw Paw Tunnel.

Tips

Check the footbridge status with the ATC before you plan the Harpers Ferry end.
Plan for the shuttle. It has limited space, runs only in fair weather, and doesn’t take pets.
Fill up at Gathland. SectionHiker found a frost-free pump near the restrooms.
Look up before you settle in. Check for dead trees at shelters and tent sites.
Expect bikes and horses on the towpath; the ATC allows both there.

Camping

The ATC says camping on the Maryland AT is allowed only at designated overnight sites and shelters, and Maryland’s DNR says they’re first come, first served for backpackers and thru-hikers. In this half, those are Dahlgren Backpack Campground, the two Rocky Run Shelters, Crampton Gap Shelter, and Ed Garvey Shelter. Backpacker’s 2013 waypoint list gives Ed Garvey room for 12, Crampton Gap 6, and Rocky Run 4, each with a privy. Wikipedia says the Rocky Run shelters sit beside the Rocky Run spring, and the 2017 guide heard the old log shelter has the more reliable water source.

Inside Intel: Virginia Trail Guide chose Dahlgren for a night and lists gravel pads, a picnic table and fire pit at each site, a water tap, a bear hang, and bathrooms with free showers and outlets for charging. A 2019 hiker, David Calhoun, called it “amazing!” for its flush toilets and free hot showers.

Trail facts

Distance: About 15.6 miles, Dahlgren to the footbridge (one 2017 guide’s mileages); about 13 miles to Weverton Road
Route type: Point to point (shuttle)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Campsites: Dahlgren Backpack Campground; Rocky Run Shelters; Crampton Gap Shelter; Ed Garvey Shelter
Water: Tap at Dahlgren; Rocky Run spring; pump at Gathland State Park; treat natural sources
Permits: None found; first come, first served
Rules: Camp only at designated sites and shelters
Trailheads: Turners Gap (US Alt 40); Gathland State Park; Weverton Road; Harpers Ferry (shuttle from Lock 34 while the footbridge is closed)
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

Gravel pads at Dahlgren Campground:

Between gravel tent pads at Dahlgren and shelter floors at Rocky Run, Crampton Gap, and Ed Garvey, side sleepers can wake up sore. These tips cover thicker pads, inflation, and pillows.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.