About Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Shepherdstown is West Virginia’s oldest town, and it earned that distinction well before the C&O Canal brought commerce to the Potomac below it. The town’s first claim to national attention came on December 3, 1787, when inventor James Rumsey launched a steam-powered boat from the riverbank here — the first successful public demonstration of steamboat navigation in the country, with a crowd of witnesses and the backing of George Washington. Seventy-five years later, the aftermath of Antietam descended on the town overnight: Shepherdstown’s churches, homes, and college buildings became field hospitals for thousands of wounded soldiers from both sides of the bloodiest day of the Civil War. Today neither layer of history has faded, and neither has the town’s liveliness — Shepherd University anchors a Main Street of restaurants, galleries, and independent shops, and the pedestrian bridge over the Potomac carries towpath travelers directly into all of it.
Getting There
Parking Access
The C&O Canal runs along the Maryland side of the Potomac, about two miles from Shepherdstown’s town center. From the corner of German Street and Princess Street, head east on WV-34 toward the river and cross the bridge into Maryland. The Ferry Hill parking area will be on your left almost immediately after crossing. Day and overnight parking is available here.
River Access
The Shepherdstown Access, also known as the Princess Street Boat Ramp, offers a concrete single-lane launch on the West Virginia side of the Potomac with parking for approximately 8 vehicles. Shepherdstown’s ferry was one of the oldest river crossings in the region, operating as early as 1755. Today the area is popular with kayakers and canoeists, with good fishing for smallmouth bass and catfish.
Where to Stay
The Bavarian Inn is the standout lodging option in Shepherdstown — a AAA Four Diamond resort perched on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River with 72 rooms, many featuring gas fireplaces, whirlpool baths, and river views. The property also includes a brewery, infinity pool, and award-winning dining. For a quieter stay, the Thomas Shepherd Inn is a well-regarded B&B in the heart of the historic district. Hiker/biker campsites are available on the Maryland towpath just across the river.
Town Highlights You Don't Want to Miss:
For History Lovers:
Historic Shepherdstown Museum — Housed in the 1786 Entler Hotel on the corner of German and Princess Streets, this museum interprets 300 years of life in West Virginia’s oldest town, with rotating exhibits, artifacts, and walking tour maps for the remarkably intact historic district.
Rumsey Steamboat Museum — James Rumsey successfully demonstrated a steam-powered boat on the Potomac River at Shepherdstown in 1787 — four years before Robert Fulton’s famous run. The museum and the nearby monument on the riverbank tell the story of this overlooked chapter in American invention.
Where to Eat & Drink:
Bavarian Inn — The dining room and terrace at the Bavarian Inn, perched on a cliff above the Potomac, is as good as it gets on this stretch of river. The Bavarian Brothers Brewery on site means you can pair the view with something local on tap.
Blue Moon Café — An eclectic favorite in the heart of the historic district with a broad menu, outdoor seating, and the easy vibe of a college town that takes its food seriously.
The Press Room — Fine dining on German Street featuring well-executed pasta, seafood, and meat dishes. A good choice for a special dinner after a day on the towpath.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts:
The Potomac River at Shepherdstown offers flatwater paddling, tubing, and fishing from the Princess Street boat ramp, with the C&O Canal towpath at mile 72.7 providing easy access for cyclists and hikers. The town sits at a natural crossing point used since the 18th century, and the views from the riverbank toward Maryland Heights are among the best on this stretch.
For Arts Lovers:
Contemporary American Theater Festival — Each summer, Shepherd University becomes home to one of the most respected new-play festivals in the country. CATF premieres original American works across several weeks in July, drawing playwrights, directors, and actors from New York and beyond to this small West Virginia college town. Tickets sell out; plan ahead if you’re visiting in summer.
German Street Galleries and Studios — Shepherdstown’s main street has long drawn working artists attracted by the town’s college-town energy and its perch above the Potomac. A walkable stretch of galleries, studios, and artisan shops along German Street carries original work in painting, photography, ceramics, and craft — a self-guided afternoon that holds up on its own, separate from everything else the town offers.
Photos by Turner Photography, Rebecca White, Josh Bowers