“Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.” So goes the famous and much-beloved song “Country Roads” by musician John Denver. And one of the best ways to access West Virginia’s portion of the Shenandoah River is on this short, easy path from the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s River Access Parking Lot.

We might not have ocean access here in West Virginia, but we still have plenty of waterfront beaches, and one of our favorite strips of sand runs along the Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
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To reach it, park in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's River Access Parking Lot on Shenandoah Street.
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The normal fee for entrance to the park is $20, but as of this writing, the fee has been temporarily waived as many of the facilities of the park are closed due to COVID, including the bathrooms. That can obviously change anytime, so make sure to check the National Parks website for updates before you go!
Start your trek to the riverfront by climbing the short staircase and crossing the lightly-trafficked street and train tracks at the top.
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Rather than bearing right or left toward Lower Town or the Visitors Center, head straight for the river.
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This puts you on a sandy path that passes right under the bridge that carries U.S. Route 340 over the Shenandoah River.

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The path spits you right out on the river for a huge view of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
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When the water is low, the sandy beach stretches for hundreds of yards in either direction, and there are several paths that follow it along the waterfront, so definitely take the opportunity to explore a bit to find your favorite spot to set up camp for the day.
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You'll even find plenty of shells and sea glass (or rather, river glass) scattered in the sand, making it all the more reminiscent of an ocean beach!
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So head on out to enjoy a day of sand and sun and water at the Shenandoah River.
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(Don't worry, there's plenty of shade, too!)
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But come early, especially on a weekend, as the river access parking lot fills up quickly! To learn more and check for updates, visit the National Park website.

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