The adsorption of p-nitrophenol (PNP) onto activated carbon fiber (ACF) was investigated in simulated wastewater in a batch system to evaluate the effects of solution pH, presence of sodium chloride, adsorbent doses and temperature. It was found that PNP adsorption amount depended on pH, sodium chloride content, adsorbent doses and temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the adsorption isotherms. Freundlich model agreed with experimental data well, indicating the possibility of more than just one monomolecular layer of coverage. SEM photographs of ACF before and after adsorption revealed that it was in part with multimolecular layers of coverage on ACF surfaces. The change of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of adsorption were also evaluated for the adsorption process. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data. The experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Attempts were made to desorb PNP from ACF using dilute NaOH solution and water, and desorption efficiency was obtained to the extent of 92.7% with 0.025 M NaOH and water at 368 K.