Not sure about Harper's Ferry. Driving through PA yesterday - the colors are GORGEOUS!!

The busses were running so i believe it must be open. If we can we skip it we do and park in town as there is visitor info in one of the buildings. The gift shop went down hill in trinkets and kids stuff and uphill with books. Not my cup of tea sorry I cant help you there.

Only service animals are allowed on the bus. It is suggested that you drive down to Lower Town and drop your pet off with a person, then drive to the Visitors Center and take the shuttle bus down to Lower Town. Takes about 15-20 minutes.

West Virginia Tourism bureau is not publishing a weekly and live fall color map. You can park at the National Park and ride their bus into town. Unfortunately, it will cost you $15 unless you have a park pass.

I checked on this recently. October 16 is the target date for the height of the foliage. I forget which website I used, but there are several that track the foliage state by state.

You will find traces of it everywhere around here :) There are placards by the buildings, museums, and certain times of year (such as now, around 4th of July) there will even be re-enactments! I enjoy the feeling of hiking where the soldiers went, too - if you're up to a steep-ish hike, go to the Stone Fort, which is off of the Maryland Heights Trail just across the river from lower town. The Fort is not well preserved but again, there are placards everwhere as to what used to be there. Lincoln even walked part of those trails, it is said.

Goodness, what an easy answer...….go any nice weather day starting, say, in early spring. Allow yourself from say 10a till 3p, more or less. Probably more. Bring each a bottle of water and put on some bug spray. Driving? My thought would be to start at Harper's Ferry National Park Visitor's Center's nice large parking lot. See the orientation information, read all the signs, get your pamphlets, talk to the park rangers at the desk. Ride the Park Service shuttle bus across Highway #340 to Bolivar Heights. There's not a lot to view, just cannons, military position signs, fields, but it's a great view and very stirring. Stay for a while, maybe half hour. Then, catch the Park Service shuttle bus down into Harper's Ferry National Park. Go to the Park Service orientation movie, view all the exhibits. walk up the stone stairs to the Catholic Church building (I think it's locked except for rare services) and learn how it withstood the war. Technically, right there, standing next to the church, you're on the Appalachian Trail. Retrace your steps north down from the church, down those stone steps, then following the white blaze markings, walk across the pedestrian section of the railroad bridge over the Potomac River over to the C&O Canal. That spot is Appalachian Trail, too. You can say you did it, two National Parks & The Appalachian Trail at one stride! Now, walk back across the bridge, back to Harper's Ferry town. Now, this part will be a bit of a strain. Walk westerly UP High Street It's not called High Street for nothing! The Appalachian Trail Headquarters is about a mile up that street. Look around about a half hour. Now, after you look around the little headquarters, remember you still have to retrace your walk back down High Street, back into Harper's Ferry, and over to the bus depot to get a shuttle bus over to the parking lot to get your car. You're legs will tell you that you've done enough. There are two motels in the Harper's Ferry area, lovely B&Bs, Airbnb's. Read the information on-line so you'll have the fullest adventure. (This posting won't let me post the photo of High Street, but it goes at a steep grade along the Potomac River, a view not to be missed. Just take your time, people walk on the sidewalks all the time.) AN ALTERNATE: Drive your car to Bolivar Heights. Drive your car to the Appalachian Trail Center. Drive your car to a small Park Service Parking lot near the Shenandoah River Bridge. The Appalachian Trail comes from the south and goes across the Shenandoah River Bridge and over to a set of steps with the traditional white blaze markings near the Quality Inn, 25 Union St., Harper's Ferry. Take your photos and prove you were there!!!

Good time frame would be about 5 - 6 hours if you wish to do hiking.

I don’t know! Check the NPS page for the basic info, sorry I can’t be of more help.

Since Harper's Ferry is quite a bit of south of here and the changes started here just last week I would assume that the end of next week would be a good guess.