Sweet Run State Park — Attraction in Harpers Ferry

Sweet Run State Park is still in the development stages of it's Master Plan. We came in the entrance which only has 4 parking spots and checked the signage and map and decided to drive down to the Sawmill entrance, because we wanted to hike the upper and lower sweet run trails. The parking for a regular car is $10, which is a lot for what the park is right now. Only a few VA State parks are $10 to park and they're the most popular ones ie First Landing, Lake Anna, Sky Meadows etc. If we didn't have an annual pass I doubt we would be back. The sawmill entrance is mostly for horse trailers with a few regular spots for cars. There is a portapotty and one picnic table at the sawmill entrance. The Upper Sweet Run Trail is very nice and well cleared. The trail signage is new, beautiful and well marked. The Lower Sweet Run Trail was not cleared or mowed and very narrow. The Lower Sweet Run Trail has 2 places where you are required to cross the stream and there are no stepping stones, boardwalk or bridge. The stream is approximately 4-6 feet across and even though we read other reviews that stated we needed water proof shoes we weren't prepared for walking directly in the water, especially with a six year old. It seems the park, at the moment, is geared more towards equestrian trail goers and on the narrower trails it's hard to avoid horse manure (this may be due to the entrance and trails we picked, but I feel like people need to be aware.) Also, it's important for us to note the park is in a highly tick infested area and even with the proper clothing and protection we still had about 5-15 ticks on each of us at the end of the hike, so be aware when hiking with kids and dogs. We are interested in hiking the Farmstead and Legacy Loop if we...

Take my two boys here often. Lots of variety of trails and old buildings along the trails. There are also equine friendly trails as well so if ya wanna hike on horseback it's an option. The park is well maintained and there is a large field for camping with a readily accessible pavilion with a firepit with wood available and a surround of benches for larger groups. The main trails are well defined and there are information stations along the path that describe the local Flora and fauna as well as other facts about their migration habits. All in all a great park nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They ask for a donation at the head of the trail; and also offer simple B&W maps of the trails thru the park. This place is our go-to park as it's close to our house and not hard to get to (right off Harpers Ferry Road) unlike the Blackburn area of the Appalachian trail (up some pretty serious dirt roads). Def stop.by and check it out and bring a picnic lunch if you are going to be there for an extended period of time. And please make a donation on your first visit; even if it's just $5. The park and all the options they offer is worth much...

State is degrading a lovely wilderness area with truckloads of unnecessary ( and in some cases, misspelled) signage and then charging $10 a visit for the ruined experience that used to be free (beyond donations to the Center and volunteer work provided.) A particular annoyance: No more walks or jogs after work in late fall, winter or early spring because there is now a new park ranger there to close the new gate and kick you out at a time basically determined by him. No doubt everyone here has the best intentions, but at least right now, the whole expanded effort feels like government doing its best to take and spend money to make things worse.

Update in response to “the owner”: I’m quite sure the park isn’t being closed completely at whim. That was unnecessary sarcasm in response to an early incident of being directed to leave quite a bit prior to any reasonable assessment of it being “dusk.” And the comment about misspellings references only one large sign and one smaller one; so that was also perhaps unfair hyperbolic sarcasm, but most definitely not...