Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Short-Term Rental Market
Harpers Ferry STRs averaged $173/night at 46.5% occupancy in April 2026, with a market investability score of 99.8 out of 100.
Quick Answer: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $2,874. average daily rate is $203. the top operator is Evolve with 178 listings. market score is 92/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the West Virginia Area regional market, which includes Harpers Ferry. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Harpers Ferry.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a small historic town with a population of roughly 269 residents, yet it draws approximately 488,000 visitors annually to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, making it West Virginia’s most-visited historic site. That outsized visitor-to-resident ratio shapes an STR market with significant scale relative to the town’s size. As of April 2026, the market recorded an average daily rate of $173 and occupancy of 46.5%, producing a RevPAR of $80. Year-over-year, occupancy was essentially flat (+0.36 percentage points), ADR rose 1.6%, and average monthly revenue grew 2.2%. The active listing base spans approximately 8,353 units across all channels. Entire-place listings dominate at 7,829 units (93.7% of supply), with 523 private-room listings and only 1 shared-room listing. Bedroom mix leans toward smaller properties: 1-bedroom units account for 2,769 listings, 2-bedrooms for 2,354, 3-bedrooms for 1,912, 4-bedrooms for 834, and 5-bedroom-plus properties for 472. By channel, 3,893 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, 3,837 are Airbnb-only, and 623 are VRBO-only. The market’s overall score of 91.9 out of 100 reflects its investability rating of 99.8, driven by strong demand anchored in national park tourism and drive-market visitors from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, roughly 60 to 70 miles away.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46% | $251 | $3,369 |
| Feb | 50% | $254 | $3,286 |
| Mar | 41% | $179 | $2,111 |
| Apr | 45% | $158 | $2,012 |
| May | 50% | $168 | $2,112 |
| Jun | 54% | $186 | $2,579 |
| Jul | 57% | $185 | $2,951 |
| Aug | 52% | $182 | $2,733 |
| Sep | 46% | $176 | $2,223 |
| Oct | 51% | $178 | $2,593 |
| Nov | 45% | $172 | $2,136 |
| Dec | 47% | $217 | $2,722 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Harpers Ferry
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 178 | 7,849 | ★ 4.69 |
| 2 | Snowshoe Brigham Collection | 173 | 26 | ★ 4.54 |
| 3 | Casago | 152 | 3,773 | ★ 4.65 |
| 4 | Blue Maple | 131 | 12,710 | ★ 4.71 |
| 5 | Mountaintop Condos | 111 | 6,158 | ★ 4.71 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Harpers Ferry?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,769 |
| 2 bed | 2,354 |
| 3 bed | 1,912 |
| 4 bed | 834 |
| 5 bed | 472 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $210 |
| Luxury | $385 |
| Professionally Managed | $263 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,702 |
| Entire Place | $2,956 |
| House | $3,420 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 45.9% |
| vrbo | 7.5% |
| both | 46.6% |
Investment Analysis
Harpers Ferry’s STR investment case centers on consistent national park visitor demand and relatively accessible entry prices compared to coastal resort markets. The typical home value as of April 2026 was $404,170, with a median list price of $462,667. At the April 2026 average monthly revenue of $2,286, an annualized revenue run rate of approximately $27,426 implies a gross STR yield of roughly 6.8% on the typical home value, before operating expenses, management fees, and taxes. ADR tiers show meaningful spread: the all-listings average was $173, entire-home listings averaged $178, professionally managed properties averaged $212, and luxury tier properties averaged $337. That $124 gap between the professionally managed and all-listings ADR suggests that professional management or deliberate amenity investment can push rates 22% above the market average. Year-over-year revenue growth of 2.2% in April 2026 is modest but positive, continuing a recovery from the 2022 to 2023 dip when revenue slipped from a 2021 peak. The 2025 annual average revenue was $2,876 per month, up from $2,708 in 2024, confirming a gradual upward trend. With only 41 homes listed for sale and a median days-to-pending of 10 days, inventory is tight, which supports property values but compresses acquisition opportunities. The investability score of 99.8 out of 100 reflects these demand fundamentals.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
As of April 2026, the average booking lead time in Harpers Ferry was approximately 40 days, and the average length of stay was 3.7 nights. A 40-day lead time means most guests book roughly five to six weeks in advance, giving operators a meaningful window to adjust pricing before the stay date. This is a relatively short lead window compared to major destination markets, which suggests last-minute pricing flexibility can capture demand without leaving rates stranded too high. A 3.7-night average stay is slightly above the two-night weekend minimum common in many markets, indicating that a segment of guests is booking longer midweek or multi-night escape trips, likely tied to hiking or park exploration itineraries. Minimum-stay policies of three to four nights could be effective in peak summer months to reduce turnover costs while aligning with actual booking behavior. Operators should open calendars at least 60 days out to capture the early-planning segment while using dynamic pricing tools to fill gaps within the 40-day booking window.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Harpers Ferry is an incorporated municipality within Jefferson County, West Virginia, and sets its own STR rules separate from Jefferson County’s unincorporated-area framework. In September 2024, the town adopted Ordinance 2024-03, which formally defines short-term rentals as any dwelling rented for 30 days or fewer, including bed-and-breakfast inns, vacation rentals, and hostels, but excluding hotels and motels. A bed-and-breakfast inn is capped at 4 guest rooms. Permits are required under the town’s zoning code. The exact permit fee, renewal cycle, owner-occupancy requirement, and occupancy cap were not confirmed in available public documents; operators should verify current requirements directly with Harpers Ferry Town Hall at (304) 535-2206. On the tax side, operators must register with the West Virginia State Tax Department, collect 6% West Virginia state sales tax on lodging, and remit the 6% Jefferson County hotel/motel occupancy tax to the Sheriff’s Tax Office monthly, for a combined lodging tax burden of approximately 12%. Note that Jefferson County’s own STR permitting framework, which requires a special exception and permit with a 1-acre minimum, applies only to unincorporated areas outside municipalities and does not govern properties within Harpers Ferry town limits. Enforcement is classified as moderate.
Market Comparison
The US STR market typically runs around 55% occupancy and a median ADR near $220. Harpers Ferry’s April 2026 occupancy of 46.5% is below the national median, reflecting its small-town scale and shoulder-season softness, but its ADR of $173 is also below the national median, keeping it accessible for budget-conscious visitors. Where Harpers Ferry stands out is in its investability score of 99.8 out of 100 and a total market score of 91.9, signaling strong fundamentals relative to market size. The five largest property management operators in the market collectively hold 745 listings. Evolve leads with 178 listings and 7,849 reviews at a 4.69 average rating. Snowshoe Brigham Collection manages 173 listings. Casago holds 152 listings with 3,773 reviews at a 4.65 rating. Blue Maple manages 131 listings with 12,710 reviews at a 4.71 rating, and Mountaintop Condos operates 111 listings with 6,158 reviews at a 4.71 rating. The market’s seasonality score of 85.0 and rental demand score of 74.2 confirm consistent multi-season demand anchored by the national park, with manageable but real winter softness outside of the holiday window.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
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