About the Flip-Flop Kickoff

Join us for educational workshops and to see off a group of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers who are following the flip-flop route, starting in Harpers Ferry.

Photo credit: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

This free event is led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and supported by the Trail & Town Alliance of Harpers Ferry & Bolivar, and the towns of Bolivar, WV; Harpers Ferry, WV; and Brunswick, MD.Featuring hiking workshops, a cookout, and a send-off breakfast for flip floppers, the Flip-Flop Kickoff is a fun and educational event in Harpers Ferry, a scenic and historic town in the Blue Ridge Mountains.In previous years, this event was known as the Flip-Flop Festival. We've since changed the name to Flip-Flop Kickoff to better reflect the focus on supporting flip-flop thru-hikers.

What's a Flip-Flop Thru-Hike?

The traditional Appalachian Trail thru-hike starts in Georgia and ends in Maine.But an increasing number of long-distance hikers are innovative enough to hike the 2,200-mile AT by starting in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, which is known as the psychological halfway point. After hiking the northern half, they "flip" back to hike the southern half.This alternate route helps conserve the trail and allows hikers to avoid crowds of thru-hikers who start in Georgia.At the Flip-Flop Kickoff, we encourage this alternate itinerary by helping long-distance hikers learn how to prepare for a thru-hike, and celebrating flip-flop thru-hikers who set off from Harpers Ferry that weekend.

Contact Us

Want to ask questions about the festival? Or volunteer to help?Contact us via email: trailandtown[at]historicharpersferry[dot]org

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2025 Event Schedule

Class of 2023 flip-flop thru-hikers / Photo credit: Dan Innamorato

Campground & Shuttle Service

Check the Plan Your Visit page for camping information.Shuttle:
2025 Shuttle Schedule
2025 Shuttle Registration

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025

Open House & State of the Trail with ATC CEO Sandi Marra and Superintendent for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail with the National Park Service, Ed Clark
- Location: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), 799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 4:00pm
- Visit ATC headquarters, the “psychological halfway point” of the Trail, and hear about the state of the Trail and updates on the ATC’s work from CEO Sandi Marra. Ed Clark, park superintendent, will also give remarks on the A.T. as a National Scenic Trail and 100 years of the Cooperative Management System.
- Register hereHike Through History with local guide, Chris Craig
- Location: Meet at the ATC, 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
-Time: 5:00pm
- Join us for a fascinating history walk through the charming streets of Harpers Ferry, WV! This walking tour offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the story of this historic town firsthand. The tour is expected to last around 1.5 hours and will be on easy to moderate terrain.
- Register here

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2024

Join the workshops for raffles throughout the day!Morning Meet & Greet with refreshments
- Location: Interpretive Design Center Pavilion (IDC), Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 9:00am
- Meet fellow flip-flop thru-hikers, past, present and future!
- Register hereWhat the Funk? Hiker Hygiene & LNT Workshop
- Location: Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
- Join Jim Fetig, past thru-hiker, ridgerunner, and current Potomac Appalachian Trail Club President, as he breaks down how to stay clean and healthy on your hikes. Jim also covers the importance of Leave No Trace. 2025 hikers can pick up their 2025 A.T. hangtag at the end of Jim’s workshop.
- Register hereFlip Flop 101 Workshop
- Location: Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
- Join Class of 2023 Flip Flop thru-hiker and 2024 Ask the Flip Floppers panelist Leanna "All Good" Keegan as she discusses how to complete a safe and enjoyable Flip-Flop thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.
- Register herePack Shakedowns
- Location: Interpretive Design Center Pavilion (IDC)
- Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Talk with experienced backpackers and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club ridgerunners about what’s in your pack and what you need and don’t need to bring on the Trail.
- Register hereLunch Break
- Location: Virginia Lodge 1, 770 Filmore Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
- Harpers Ferry Independent Order of the Odd Fellows will have bagged lunches available for sale at their lodge, just across the street from the workshop location. Vegetarian options are available. There are many other amazing options in Harpers Ferry, too!
- Register here. The Odd Fellows accept cash or check payments when you get your lunch.Ask the Flip Floppers Panel
- Location: Curtis Freewill Baptist Church
- Time: 1:15pm – 2:30pm
- Ever had a question about hiking the A.T. and didn’t know who to ask? Now is your time. Join a panel discussion with past flip-flop thru-hikers who will share their stories, tips, and guidance for having a great hike on the Trail.
- Register hereHiking With Your Dog Workshop
-Location: Interpretive Design Center Pavilion (IDC)
- Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
- Maria Wishart and her dog, Boots, have hiked thousands miles together. In this presentation, they’ll share expert advice on how to prepare your dog for hiking, proper etiquette/manners when hiking with your dog, Leave No Trace principles and extra care considerations for your canine companion when heading out into the wilderness.
- Register hereSaturday Evening Shuttle from Harpers Ferry to the Brunswick Family Campground
- Pick-up: Curtis Church parking lot
- Pick-up Time: 4:30pm
- Note that this shuttle will stop at Smoke Town Brewing’s 9th anniversary celebration and block party! The shuttle will drop folks off at Smoke Town and will pick everyone back up at 6:00 pm to head to the campground.
- Attendees who would prefer to hear right to the campground after the workshops can either walk from Smoke Town (1.2 miles) or arrange their own transportation.
- Register here or at the link at the top of the page.Evening Cookout
- Location: Brunswick Family Campground, Brunswick, MD
- Time: 6:30pm
- Share a meal with fellow flip-flop hikers and event attendees at a cookout provided by the town of Brunswick, MD. There will be a shuttle to/from the cookout so folks staying at both the campground and in Harpers Ferry can attend.
- No advanced registration required.Saturday Night Shuttle from the Brunswick Family Campground to Harpers Ferry
- Pick-up: Campground
- Pick-up Time: 8:30pm
- Register here or at the link at the top of the page.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025

Photo credit: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Sunday Morning Shuttle from the Brunswick Family Campground to Harpers Ferry
- Pick-up: Campground
- Pick-up Time: 6:30am
- Register here or at the link at the top of the page.Flip-Flop Thru-Hiker Group Photo
- Location: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), 799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 7:00am
- 2025 Flip Flop Thru-Hiker? Come take a photo with your fellow Class of 2024 Hikers. Don’t forget to bring your hangtag!
- No advanced registration required.Breakfast
- Location: Social Hall at Camp Hill-Wesley United Methodist Church, 601 Washington St., Harpers Ferry, WV
- Time: 7:30am – 9:00am
- Enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast prepared by members of the community. It's free for flip-floppers, and a pay-what-you-can donation is asked of community attendees, who are also welcome.
- No advance registration requiredScenic Sendoff for Flip-Flop Thru-Hikers
- Planned Location: Social Hall at Camp Hill-Wesley United Methodist Church, 601 Washington St.
- Time: 9:00am
- After breakfast, those who choose can start their flip-flop journey by following a breathtaking route through Harpers Ferry. Melanie “Squarepie” Spencer will lead the way, passing the town's most scenic vistas. Allow about one hour to walk and take photos along the 0.75 mile route to the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
- Note: If the renovation project on the Byron Bridge has started, we will hold the Scenic Sendoff across the river along the A.T. and provide a free shuttle to the starting location.

The A.T. Communities of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are quaint and historic West Virginia towns, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.Along with being considered the psychological halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, the Harpers Ferry area offers a wealth of fantastic hiking, cycling, rafting, and climbing opportunities, with restaurants, shops, art galleries, indoor and outdoor exhibits. All set close to world-famous historic sites related to the Civil War, African American History, and the explorer Meriwether Lewis.The A.T. Community of Brunswick, Maryland, just across the river, is a historical town along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Long known for its role as a transportation hub along the railroad, Brunswick also offers wonderful options for hikers and cyclists alike.

Stay & Eat

Camping is available at the standard rate for event attendees and hikers at the Brunswick Family Campground, just across the river in Brunswick, Maryland. Reserve your site on the campground’s website or call them at (301) 834-9950. Tent campers should ask to stay at the Potomac Green site.During the event on Saturday, April 26, a bagged lunch will be available for purchase at Virginia 1 Lodge, courtesy of the Harpers Ferry Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. You can select your lunch option in advance here.The Odd Fellows accept cash or check payment when you pick up your meal.On Sunday, April 27, event attendees can enjoy a community breakfast hosted by the towns of Harpers Ferry & Bolivar, West Virginia. Breakfast is free for hikers and a pay-what-you-can donation is asked of community members, friends, and family attendees. Learn more on the Schedule page.Harpers Ferry and the surrounding area offer many other lodging options and world-class restaurants.Learn about other options or plan the rest of your trip by visiting the Jefferson County Visitor Center or Experience Harpers Ferry.

Parking

Parking for the event on Saturday is available for free to attendees at the Curtis Freewill Baptist Church in Harpers Ferry.This is the same location as the workshops and is just across the street from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center.Parking is available on the streets throughout Harpers Ferry and Bolivar (some spots are metered); at the Harpers Ferry Train Station; and at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's Visitor Center, from which you can catch a shuttle to town.Both the train station and visitor center require a fee to park, which supports the National Historical Park.