Flip-Flop Kickoff
Save the Date:
April 23-25, 2027
Celebrating and promoting alternative long-distance hikes starting mid-trail on the Appalachian TrailHarpers Ferry, WV; Bolivar, WV; and Brunswick, MD
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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Schedule & Registration
Class of 2023 flip-flop thru-hikers / Photo credit: Dan Innamorato
Thank you for a great Flip Flop Kickoff 2026!
Flip Flop Kickoff 2027 is April 23-25. Check back in Winter 2027 for the schedule.
Event Map
Click HERE for a map of the 2026 event to help plan your future visit.
Plan Your Visit
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
Camping is available at the standard rate ($22) 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.Hikers staying at the campground on Friday night can inquire at the ATC Visitor Center about free rides to/from the campground and Harpers Ferry on Friday evening and Saturday morning.There are many other great lodging options nearby for those who don’t plan on staying at the campground and/or want to stay in Harpers Ferry/Bolivar:
Halfway Hideaway Hostel in Harpers Ferry
Cross Trails Hostel in Knoxville, MD
Quality Inn in Harpers Ferry
Travelodge in Brunswick, MD
There are many more inns, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts in Harpers Ferry and the surrounding area. Visit Experience Harpers Ferry for more information.
Eat
Event meals:
Saturday lunch: A bagged lunch may be available for purchase at Virginia 1 Lodge, courtesy of the Harpers Ferry Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. The Odd Fellows accept Cash, Paypal, Venmo, or CashApp payment when you pick up your meal.
Saturday dinner: A free cookout for event attendees is available each year thanks to the A.T. Community of Brunswick, MD at the Brunswick Family Campground.
Sunday breakfast: Event attendees can enjoy a community breakfast hosted by the A.T. Communities of Harpers Ferry & Bolivar, WV. Breakfast is free for 2026 hikers and a pay-what-you-can donation is asked of other attendees.
Other food options:Harpers Ferry and the surrounding area offer many more world-class dining options. 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 is available for free to attendees at the Curtis Freewill Baptist Church in Harpers Ferry. 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.
Photos from the 2025 Kickoff
Photos by Dan Innamorato and Flip Flop volunteers
