People first arrived in the Chesapeake Bay during the last ice age. As glaciers melted, diverse societies learned to thrive in a world of water. When Englishman Captain John Smith explored the Bay in 1608, he documented hundreds of American Indian communities. Today, sites on his map are archeological treasures and sacred sites for tribal citizens. Come join us on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay!

A heron at sunset in the waters and marshes of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Heron at sunset at Blackwater NWR

Living History at Jamestown Settlement

Many baldcypress trees standing in the Chickahominy River

Cypress Trees Chickahominy River

A lone kayaker explores the Patuxent River

Kayaker at Jug Bay

A view of the Susquehanna River and the boat dock at Zimmerman Center for Heritage

Susquehanna River view from Zimmerman Center

Captain John Smith Chesapeake

The water trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! To launch your kayak or other vessel on the trail, access a local boat launch along one of the trail's many tributary rivers and coastlines. Local boat launches, state parks, and other locations have specific operating hours and seasons. Always check weather and conditions before going out on the water - take care during the winter months to dress appropriately for the weather and the possibility of submersion in cold water.

Trail Operating Hours

Paddling

A color photograph of a man on a blue kayak next to an old sunken ship.

Mallows Bay Potomac Paddle

<h4>Overview</h4> Perhaps no other body of water in America has defined our country quite like the Potomac River. From the American Indian communities who first called this region home to the American Revolution, the Civil War, and industrial progress into the 21st century, the Potomac is truly “the Nation’s River.” The Potomac River is the second-largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. Dozens of small, vibrant rivers and streams flow through forests, farms, towns, and rural communities, coming together to form the Potomac. The river provides a critical link to the Bay; before roads crisscrossed the landscape, the Potomac transported trade goods and travelers to the Chesapeake and the world beyond.   To learn paddling opportunities and trip ideas, visit the <a href="https://www.paddlethepotomac.com/">Paddle the Potomac website</a>.  <h4>History</h4> Indigenous People of America In the 17th century, the Piscataway people lived in the Potomac River watershed as well as on the western coast of the Chesapeake Bay from what is now St. Mary’s City north to Baltimore. Their ancestors had arrived in the area around 9,500 B.C.E and their descendants still live in the area today — several descendent Tribes are recognized by the state of Maryland. The principal leader of the Piscataway people was known as the Tayac. The Tribe’s first contact with Europeans was when Captain John Smith ventured into their territory in 1608. Pressure from European colonization caused people in towns along the Potomac to leave their traditional lands. Some merged with other tribes and retreated to locations that the English had not yet touched.  Later, in the early 1900s, a Piscataway man named Philip Sheridan Procter became an activist for Indigenous People of America cultural revival after returning from battle in World War I France. Among his accomplishments was the preservation of the Moyaone archeological site, which today is a National Historic Landmark protected by the National Park Service under <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pisc/index.htm">Piscataway Park</a>. Proctor, who became known as Turkey Tayac, is buried in the park. War of 1812 In the late summer of 1814, the British sailed the lower Potomac River as a diversionary feint to keep the American forces guessing their intent (another feint sailed up the Chesapeake Bay while the main contingent of the Royal Navy proceeded up the Patuxent River and landed forces at Benedict). The purpose of the Potomac River feint was to capture <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/index.htm">Fort Washington</a> and provide a means of evacuation for the invading land forces should they need assistance. The Potomac feint was riddled with bad luck as the hastily-prepared crews made their 120-mile passage up the winding, shoal-filled river. The ships anchored off Maryland Point on August 24, the same day that Ross and Cockburn completed their land march and burned Washington. Upon seeing the red glow from the flames in Washington and believing that the goal of capturing the capital had been met, the Potomac squadron made the command decision to proceed on its own. On August 26, the squadron passed Mount Vernon and came into view of Fort Washington, just 12 miles from Washington, D.C., and 6 miles from Alexandria, VA. The British attempted to attack the fort but the Americans blew it up themselves as ordered by the commanding officer, leaving the capital and the City of Alexandria undefended. The British squadron arrived in Alexandria and occupied the town from August 28 through September 3. During that time, the town capitulated and provided the squadron all its tobacco, grain, cotton, and flour. Word came that Americans were building batteries along the Potomac to contest the squadron's downriver return. The British encountered American batteries at Indian Head but the British squadron was able to make it safely to the open waters of the bay by September 9 with seven warships and the booty from Alexandria.

Beginning at Jennings Randolph Lake to the mouth of the Potomac, you may choose to paddle the 355 miles to the Chesapeake Bay or take a single or multi-day trip; all will give you a different view of the ways that previous residents used the river and its banks for their livelihood, transportation and recreation.

Paddle the Potomac River

Native American Heritage

River and Riparian

Water Trails

War of 1812

A person paddles an orange kayak on a river with trees in the background.

Patuxent River paddling

<h2>River and Trail Overview</h2> The Patuxent River Water Trail offers visitors the opportunity to paddle the river, camp along its banks and visit its numerous parks, historic sites, sanctuaries and wildlife areas. The 110 mile-long river is unique in that it is the longest river that flows entirely within the state of Maryland. From its source at Parrs Ridge in Carroll County to Drum Point on the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River is known for its treasured resources and natural beauty. Dense woodlands buffer the upper reaches while farmlands dominate the southern part creating scenic vistas and a serene rural environment. Archaeological and cultural resources tell the story of 10,000 years of human habitation. <h2>History</h2> Indigenous People of America On his Map of Virginia, Captain John Smith recorded fifteen towns, as well as two Chief’s towns along the Patuxent River. The Chief’s towns were Pawtuxent and Acquintanacsuck. Further upriver than Smith reached was another important town called Mattapaneint. On August 9, 1608, John Smith and crew sailed to the Patuxent River. The next day, they sailed upstream and spent the night at Pawtuxent. Likely accompanied by a guide, the crew headed further upriver and spent the night before turning around. On the return trip, they stopped at Acquintanacsuck before heading to Opanient near the mouth of the river to depart from their guide and camp until the next morning. During these stopovers, the Indigenous People and Smith would trade, eat together, and exchange information. Decades later, English colonists had forced many Indigenous people out of towns like Pawtuxent and Opanient. The 1674 Proceedings of the General Assembly of Maryland recorded that, "the Mattapnay & Patuxon Indians doe Continue upon the Land on which they now live...Billingsle, having formerly Purchased it of the said Indians...” This property, which was owned by a man named Major John Billingsley, is now known as Billingsley’s Point. It is located just North of Jug Bay and Patuxent River Park, which interprets the region’s Indigenous People's heritage.  War of 1812 The lower Patuxent flows through Southern Maryland, which was a dangerous place to live in the hot summer of 1814. British raiding parties traveled the river and swept through the countryside, terrorizing civilians and taking provisions for British troops gathering in the area.   Citizens of Southern Maryland suffered more raids and skirmishes than residents anywhere else in the Chesapeake region. British attacks continued “like drum beats up and down the river” throughout the summer leaving panic, horror, and destruction in their wake.  These actions caused many inhabitants to oppose the war. Some prohibited American forces from stationing at their farms, knowing the militia could not provide security.  The river was also the site of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/stsp/learn/historyculture/battles-of-st-leonard-creek.htm">largest naval engagement in Maryland</a>, which took place at the confluence of the Patuxent and St. Leonard Creek in June 1814. Americans prevailed in a series of skirmishes June 8-10, but the British ultimately trapped them in the creek. This first battle had little effect. On June 26, U.S. land units gave support from nearby heights. Following intense fighting in the Second Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the Chesapeake Flotilla escaped up the Patuxent. The British pursued and on August 22 the Americans scuttled their own fleet to keep it out of enemy hands.   <h2>Learn more</h2> The Patuxent River Water Trail is managed by the <a href="https://paxriverkeeper.org/">Patuxent Riverkeeper</a>. Learn more about the river trail at: <a href="https://patuxentwatertrail.org/">https://patuxentwatertrail.org</a>.

The Patuxent River Water Trail offers visitors the opportunity to paddle the river, camp along its banks and visit its numerous parks, historic sites, sanctuaries and wildlife areas. The 110 mile-long river is unique in that it is the longest river that flows entirely within the state of Maryland.

Paddle the Patuxent River Water Trail

Military

Two people paddle a canoe with two other canoes in the background.

Anacostia Water Trail image

<h2>Trail Overview</h2> The Anacostia Water Trail covers a nine-mile stretch of the Anacostia River, running from Bladensburg, Maryland, through Washington, DC, to its juncture with the Potomac River about two miles south of Capitol Hill. Along this trail, the character of the river varies remarkably. Upstream you’ll find forests, wetlands, and wildlife that seem amazingly removed from the city. Downstream are hubs of riverfront recreation, with community parks, restaurants, and sporting events. The trail is managed by the <a href="https://www.anacostiaws.org/">Anacostia Watershed Association</a>. Public boat lanches are located at several points along the trail, including at the north end of Anacostia Park (off of Anacostia Drive SE, and at <a href="http://outdoors.pgparks.com/3256/Bladensburg-Waterfront-Park">Bladensburg Waterfront Park</a> (4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD 20710). <a href="https://www.anacostiaws.org/events-and-recreation/recreation-in-our-watershed/anacostia-water-trail.html">Learn more</a> about the trail.  <h2>History</h2> Indigenous People of America People lived on the banks of the Anacostia as early as 9,500 B.C.E. During the 17th century, the Indigenous towns recorded by Captain John Smith at the intersection of the Anacostia and the Potomac Rivers were Namoraughquend, Assaomeck, and Namassingakent. These towns were located just below the Potomac’s Great Falls. Every spring, people gathered at the river's edge, eagerly awaiting the return of migratory fish from the Chesapeake Bay.  The town of Nacotchtank was the largest in the area, and its location at the conflux of the two rivers and in the transition from upland to tidewater made it a major crossroads for travel and trading between distant tribes. Nacotchtank was inhabited by the Nacotchtank people, who are also known as the Anacostans – the origin of the name Anacostia we use today. This area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Piscataway people. Their descendants still live here, same as members of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe & Sub-Tribes, the Piscataway Nation, and other Tribal organizations. War of 1812 The Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814, ended in defeat for the United States and allowed the British to invade Washington, D.C. Once the Americans realized the British route of advance, there was little time to prepare. They hastily established lines of defense near the port town of Bladensburg, where the British would cross the Eastern Branch of the Potomac (known today as the Anacostia). The poorly trained and ill-equipped American militia, though superior in number, were no match for the seasoned British army. That night, as buildings in Washington burned and the victors ravaged the White House, news of the rout at Bladensburg spread throughout the countryside.

Discover the natural abundance of the Anacostia River as it threads through the heart of Washington, DC. Watch birds on Kingman Island or dock at the National Arboretum and roam the forest. The Anacostia River corridor has lots of options for outdoor fun and the Anacostia Water Trail can help you find them.

Be aware of the tides! Before launching your boat, check for when low and high tide is expected.

Paddle the Anacostia Water Trail

Kayaking along a living shoreline with sand and grasses.

Jefferson Patterson Park paddling

10515 Mackall Road St. Leonard, MD 20685

<h3>Summary</h3> Paddle the Patuxent River & St. Leonard's Creek by launching from <a href="https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx">Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum</a>. Combine your paddle with a trip to the park's Visitor Center, where exhibits describe the site's rich archeological resources.  <h3>Paddling Details</h3> If you’d like to paddle the shores here, check in at Jefferson Patterson Park’s <a href="https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/visit-park/visitor-center.aspx">Visitor Center</a>. The staff there will tell you how to drive down to the launch, unload your boat, and return your vehicle to the proper parking lot. The river shore offers several nearby pocket beaches, set inside of living shoreline projects. The <a href="https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/education/living-shorelines.aspx">living shorelines</a> were designed to protect the park’s considerable archaeological resources from storms and rising sea level.  If you feel like paddling further after you visit the easternmost living shoreline, turn left to explore St. Leonard Creek and imagine you’re part of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/stsp/learn/historyculture/battles-of-st-leonard-creek.htm">Commodore Joshua Barney’s Patuxent Flotilla</a>. If the weather is too rough to paddle this stretch of open river, walk the 2-mile trail loop along the shore that visits each of the living shoreline projects. <h3>Site History & Museum</h3> Just north of the mouth of St. Leonard Creek, Capt. Smith mapped the village of Quomocac, which lay on a broad, wooded plain next to the river. Today that land is part of the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, owned by the Maryland Historical Trust. The museum houses the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory and offers a great riverside park to the public.

Pets must be on a leash. Pets, other than service animals used by physically challenged persons, are not allowed in the buildings. 

The building is closed on Thanksgiving Day, and December 13 through January 16.

Once the site of the Indigenous town of Quomocac, Jefferson Patterson Park is an archeological site and home to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory. A kayak launch provides visitors with access to the Patuxent River and St. Leonard's Creek.

The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Paddle & Visit an Archeological Museum

Archeology

Wetlands

Boating

Permits are available on an annual or daily basis. Boat trailer permits may be purchased online or in-person at the Visitor Center. <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/patuxent-river-park">Patuxent River Park - Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD (pgparks.com)</a>

An osprey on a nesting platform above a marsh.

Osprey on the Patuxent

Jackson’s Landing 16000 Croom Airport Rd, Upper Marlboro MD, 20772 Located at Jug Bay Natural Area. Follow park road past Visitors’ Center to the bottom of the hell. Parking limitation – 10 vehicles with trailers; 8 additional vehicles. Personal watercraft (jet skis) are not permitted. Access to the launch is available during normal park hours, 8:00 am – close (seasonal). Selby’s Landing 17272 Croom Airport Rd, Upper Marlboro MD, 20772 Located at Jug Bay Natural Area. Follow Croom Airport Road (past park entrance road) to a dead end, turn left and follow the road to the designated area. Parking limitation – 25 vehicles with trailers. Personal watercraft (jet skis) are not permitted. Access to the launch is available during normal park hours, 8:00 am – close (seasonal).

<h3>Summary</h3> Launch at Patuxent River Park via Jackson's Landing or Selby’s Landing. Travel downriver and turn right into Mattaponi Creek after about a quarter-mile. An easy two-way boating trip, about 12 miles. <h3>Trip Details & History</h3> If you’re running a 14-20’ skiff or runabout equipped with a pushpole, you can take a trip along Mattaponi Creek, though you may not make it past White Oak Landing unless the tide is well up (and mind that this is not a good place to be marooned by a falling tide). The speed of a skiff is useful, though, for getting a broader view of the river. Launch at either Jackson’s Landing (by the Patuxent River Park Office) or at Selby’s Landing.  Travelling easy at 15-20 mph, you can make it downriver to the seventeenth-century colonial tobacco port of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham,_Prince_George%27s_County,_Maryland">Nottingham</a> and back, with time out for a picnic. Going downriver, you’ll skirt the whole of the Merkle/ Mattapanient marsh, go through Deep Turn (the lower landing for Mattapanient), and run down the reach to the curve at Nottingham.  If you’ve equipped your boat with a depth sounder, notice the depths at the landings, several of which are over 40’. You’ll also notice swirling eddies on the surface in those spots if the tide is running strongly.  Captain John Smith mapped the Native town of Wasameus at the site of Nottingham when he visited, but the location had become an important colonial tobacco port by the mid-seventeenth century, when mariners taking the leaf back to England were still navigating the Patuxent with Smith’s map.  The town remained a tobacco port into the nineteenth century. It figured in the Patuxent Campaign of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/stsp/planyourvisit/maps.htm">War of 1812</a>. After the Civil War, it became a landing for the steamboats that connected communities along the Patuxent with Baltimore. As you sit in your skiff, try to imagine what this place looked like in Smith’s time and through all of the succeeding four-hundred years. Today Nottingham holds the headquarters of the <a href="https://paxriverkeeper.org/">Patuxent Riverkeeper Program</a>. By all means, contact Fred Tutman, the long-time Riverkeeper, about visiting.  On the way back upriver, pay close attention to the marked channel going through Jug Bay. It’ll give you 4-6’ of depth, but the flats immediately outside it are shallow and soft, very difficult to pole away from if you go aground with the wind against you. Be courteous of anglers and boats as you enter the narrows by Jackson’s Landing.

Hours may change seasonally. Check the park's website for more information: <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/patuxent-river-park">Patuxent River Park - Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD (pgparks.com)</a>

If the tide is high, navigate a skiff through the twists and turns of Mattaponi Creek. Picnic at Nottingham, a colonial tobacco port active in the 1600s.

Skiffin’ Down to Nottingham on Mattaponi Creek

Colonization and Settlement

A windy river through marsh grasses viewed through some branches.

Jug Bay on the Patuxent River

Selby’s Landing 17272 Croom Airport Rd, Upper Marlboro MD, 20772 Located at Jug Bay Natural Area. Follow Croom Airport Road (past park entrance road) to a dead end, turn left and follow the road to the designated area. Parking limitation – 25 vehicles with trailers. Personal watercraft (jet skis) are not permitted. Access to the launch is available during normal park hours, 8:00 am – close (seasonal).

<h3>Summary </h3> Duration: 3.5 miles Estimated time: 2-4 hours Launch at the Patuxent River Park’s Selby’s Landing, at the lower end of Jug Bay. Paddle downriver a quarter-mile and turn right into Mattaponi Creek. <h3>Trip Details & History</h3> This meandering waterway looks very much as it would have in the 1600s. Thanks to the Patuxent River Park, which owns the right bank, and the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary (MD DNR), which owns the left, the watershed of the creek is still almost all wooded, providing the kind of “Great Green Filter” that made the Chesapeake’s tidal waters so rich 400 years ago.  Paddling upstream, you’ll find the first mile of the creek to be marshy on both sides. There are rich, diverse <a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/ncea1">tidal fresh marshes</a>. The high land that begins to appear on the Merkle side is the site of Mattapanient, an Indigenous town which Captain John Smith and his crew visited. If before your trip, you study a map or Google Earth, you’ll notice that it looks out over a very large marsh that lies on the inside of the river’s curve opposite Lyons Creek, with commanding views both up- and down-river and landings on both the upstream and downstream edges. Back on the creek, you will come soon to tiny White Oak Landing, now part of the Sanctuary but probably in use by humans since time immemorial. All that’s there today is an abandoned cinderblock shed, but it’s a good place to stop and stretch your legs. From White Oak Landing up, Mattaponi Creek winds back and forth between marsh and woods, gradually getting shallower, with increasingly large beds of <a href="https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/sav/aboutSAV.cfm#:~:text=Submerged%20aquatic%20vegetation%20%28SAV%29%20species%2C%20are%20vascular%20plants,the%20Chesapeake%20Bay%20and%20surrounding%20bodies%20of%20water.">underwater grasses</a>. You may not like the way they slow down your boat, but thank them for the habitat and food they provide for fish and birds. You’ll pass under the wooden bridge for the <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/event_list/28th-annual-jug-bay-run-for-wildlife">Critical Areas Driving Tour</a>, but otherwise the creek will look much as it must have when the people of Mattapanient hunted, fished, and foraged it. <h3>For an Extra Challenge...</h3> On the return to the creek’s mouth, if the weather is fit and you have enough energy and skill, consider paddling downstream a half-mile, around the first curve (opposite Lyons Creek, where Captain Smith mapped the town of Quactataugh) and exploring up into one of the marsh guts that extend into the Merkle/Mattapanient marsh. These guts wind well back in, while bankside stands of 7’-tall big cordgrass make you feel you’re paddling up a tunnel. In the fall, you may surprise flocks of mallard and black ducks that rest and feed there (and they’ll surprise you, as they explode off the water right in front of your boat!).

Reserve kayaks here: <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/patuxent-river-park">Patuxent River Park - Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD (pgparks.com)</a>

This 3.5 mile journey along Mattaponi Creek departs from Selby's Landing within Patuxent River Park.

Paddle Mattaponi Creek

Explorers and Expeditions

The lagoon water trail loop is 2.5 miles in length. 

A rusty old metal ship with a large letter D sits half sunk in a waterway.

Dutch Gap Conservation Area sunken ships

Paddle the Lagoon Water Trail at Dutch Gap Conservation area to see an unexpected sight. Beside the wading herons you'll find other strange forms - the sunken remains of several wooden barges. These abandoned barges are remnants of the mining industry. They were once used to haul large quanities of sand and gravel along the James River. The vessel pictured here with the large D is a tugboat that would have guided larger ships on their journey.  <h3>How to Paddle the Lagoon Water Trail</h3> The Lagoon Water Trail will take paddlers in kayaks and canoes past this sunken "Graveyard" of ships. The easiest way to reach the trail with your boat is to park at the Henricus Visitor Center and portage to Sycamore Dock. Follow the map and instructions printed here: <a href="https://www.chesterfield.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2400/Tidal-LagoonTrail-Map-and-Information-PDF">Lagoon Water Trail (PDF)</a>. After launching, make a right into the James River until you reach a smaller channel on your right that takes you into the lagoon. Once inside the lagoon, make a left and go past Egret Island, where you will find the ships.  Along this trail are multiple buoy markers and docks to help you find your way. The Lagoon Trail continues in a loop that takes you back to the channel where you entered.  <h3> More About Dutch Gap Conservation Area </h3> <a href="https://www.chesterfield.gov/DutchGap">Dutch Gap Conservation Area</a> is a wooded area in Chesterfield County, Virginia that surrounds Henricus, the second successful English settlement in Virginia. Prior to English settlement, it was opposite the Indigenous town of Arrohateck. The site is nestled against the banks of the James River and consists of 810-acres of woodlands and wetlands. Dutch Gap received in name in 1611 when Sir Thomas Dale attempted to shorten river travel around a meander of the James River by cutting a new channel through the river. Today, the conservation area offers activities and opportunities for visitors looking for a way to enjoy an outing on the idyllic James River. The site protects natural resources, including a blue heron rookery in the marsh, and offers observation blinds and walking trails for viewing wildlife. Ammenities include: <ul> <li> 3 picnic shelters </li> <li> Fishing access </li> <li> <a href="https://www.chesterfield.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/-398">Kayak and canoe access</a> </li> <li> Observation blind </li> <li> Restrooms </li> <li> Walking trails (5.8 miles) </li> </ul>

Dutch Gap Conservation Area is a wooded area in Chesterfield County, Virginia that surrounds Henricus, the second successful English settlement in Virginia. Paddle the Lagoon Water Trail to view abandoned barges, relics of the river's industrial past.

The Henricus Visitor Center is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Paddle to Sunken Ships at Dutch Gap Conservation Area

Fish

Forests and Woodlands

Deciduous Forests

Mining

Ships and Shipwrecks

Natural Sounds

Trails

Watersheds

Marshes

Birdwatching

No fee for regular entry. Fee for a car with boat or trailer, and for renting canoes/kayaks, campsites, pavilion reservations, and meeting room. 

A medium sized, white bird with a long S-shaped neck and orange bill stands on a branch.

Egret in Maryland

16000 Croom Airport Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-8395

<h3>Go Birding</h3> Come to Patuxent River Park, located along Jug Bay, to experience some of the best birding in Maryland! The National Audubon Society designated Jug Bay a “Nationally Important Bird Area” because of its high numbers and diversity of birds. More than 300 species have been identified with over 100 confirmed as nesting. Because of the highly productive marshes here, Jug Bay is known as a stopping point for migratory birds.  The park has created a checklist of all the bird species known to be in the area. Find the checklist on their website: <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/PRB_BirdChecklist_FNL.pdf">PRB_BirdChecklist_FNL.pdf (pgparks.com)</a> Please record all nesting and any new sightings at the visitor center’s bird sightings list! Read on to learn more details and plan your visit.  <h3>About the Park</h3> The Jug Bay area includes the Patuxent River Park and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Prince George’s County, the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel County and is a component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland. Patuxent River Park boasts more than 7,000 acres of parkland along the Patuxent River. A short drive from both the Washington D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas, visit Patuxent River Park for tidal marshes, swamps, mature forests, and river views all in one. The park is also rich in history and culture. A replica American Indian village introduces visitors to the architectural, technological, and agricultural traditions of Maryland’s indigenous peoples. Every year the park hosts an American Indian Festival featuring lectures, demonstrations, music, dance, stories, and more. Visitors can also explore the Patuxent Rural Life Museums, such as the blacksmith shop, tobacco farming museum, and catalog house. On Sundays, drive directly from the woodland village to neighboring Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can enjoy views of the river entirely untouched by human development. Available amenities are a boat launch, canoe and kayak rentals, hiking trails, an accessible observation tower, pavilions, birdwatching opportunities, and hunting and fishing. <h3>How to Get There</h3> Address: 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-8395 Phone: 301-627-607 Web: <a href="https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/patuxent-river-park">Patuxent River Park - Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD (pgparks.com)</a>

Call ahead to reserve a campsite, the pavilion, and canoe/kayak rentals. 

Water trail access may be closed in winter months. 

A short drive from Washington DC and Baltimore, Patuxent River Park boasts more than 7,000 acres of parkland along the Patuxent River. It boasts some of the best birding in the state, along with trails, a boat launch, museums of rural life, and a replica American Indian village.

Go Birding at Patuxent River Park

Animals

Birds

Scenic Views

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Self-guided audio tour of an outdoor museum

A Native American recreated town has a longhouse structure and sculpture with human face

Jefferson Patterson Park

10515 Mackall Rd, St Leonard, MD 20685

<h3>Audio Tour</h3> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/jefferson-patterson-park.htm">Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum</a>, located along the Patuxent River in St. Leonard, Maryland, is rich in archeology, with more than 65 documented sites. All in all, these sites represent more than 9,000 years of human occupation. To honor and teach about the area's Native American history, visitors can step inside a re-created Indigenous town. During your visit, listen to the self-guided audio tour to learn more information about what life was like here. The "Walking in Their Footsteps: A Patuxent Community" tour is open year round and is free to all. Once you've arrived at the park and made your way to the town site, access the tour by dialing (410)-246-1966 from your cell phone. Then, input the stop you want to hear from the list on the park's website: <a href="https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/visit-park/audio-tours/walking-in-their-footsteps.aspx">Walking In Their Footsteps (maryland.gov)</a>. A tour map is also available on the website.  <h3>Park Details</h3> Address: 10515 Mackall Rd, St Leonard, MD 20685 Phone: 410-586-8501 Website: <a href="https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx">https://jefpat.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx</a> Hours: Parks and Grounds are open all year from 7:30 am until dusk, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and from Christmas Eve through January 2nd. Located along the Patuxent River in Calvert County, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum connects people to history through its more than 65 archeological sites. The park is also home to the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab), which preserves some 8 million artifacts. See through the eyes of an archeologist to learn about the deep history of human ingenuity, invention, and adaptability. Visitors to Jefferson Patterson can take walking audio tours, canoe and kayak, tour the replica American Indian village, search the library, tour the historic house and the MAC Lab, and walk the park’s system of trails. Sign up in advance to participate in public archeology projects.

Parks and Grounds are open all year from 7:30 am until dusk, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and from Christmas Eve through January 2nd.

Discover thousands of years of archeology at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. Over 65 archeological sites tell the story of American Indian technology, innovation, and craft within the Chesapeake Bay landscape. Take an audio Tour the museum, laboratory, and woodland village, walk the park trails, and paddle the Patuxent river.

Audio Tour of a Patuxent Town

Museum Exhibits

Admission: Adults...$5.00 Children (Under 5)...Free

The Nanticoke Indian Museum, a brown, single-level building.

Nanticoke Indian Museum

26673 John J. Williams Hwy., Millsboro, DE 19966

On your way to visit beaches in Delaware, you may be surprised to find a National Historic Landmark with ties to the Chespeake Bay. Just a half hour's drive away from the seashore is a museum that tells the story of the Nanticoke people. The Nanticoke people's homeland is the Nanticoke River, flowing from the Chesapeake Bay northeast into Delaware. In the summer of 1608, Captain John Smith sailed to what is now Maryland's eastern shore. There, he met the Kuskarawaoks, later known as the Nanticoke Indians. Nanticoke, originally spelled Nantaquak, means "the tidewater people" in Algonquian. In 1647, the governor of Maryland ordered his militia to drive the Nanticoke people from the area. After about a century of conflict, many of the Nanticoke people decided to leave for other areas of the country. But some remained and settled along the Indian River in Delaware, near where the Nanticoke Indian Museum stands today.  <h3>The Nanticoke Indian Museum</h3> The Nanticoke Indian Tribe operates this museum and National Historic Landmark in Millsboro, Delaware. The objects on display teach visitors about the skills and history that contribute to Native artistry and educate visitors about the tribe’s traditions. In the first room, view artwork and tools crafted by Tribal citizens. In the second, view artifacts that date back as far as 8,000 B.C.E. and a display of traditional clothing. The museum also has a store where books and crafts may be purchased. Tours are available to school and community groups on request.  <h3>Visiting the Museum</h3> Address: 26673 John J. Williams Hwy., Millsboro, DE 19966 Phone: (302) 945-7022 Website: <a href="https://nanticokeindians.org/locations/nanticoke-indian-museum/">https://nanticokeindians.org/locations/nanticoke-indian-museum/</a> Admission: $5, children under 5 free Hours: April 2 - December 29: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm December 30 - April 1: Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 3pm <h3>Nearby Attractions to Include in Your Visit</h3> Beaches <ul> <li>Rehobeth Beach</li> <li>Bethany Beach</li> </ul> Parks & Refuges <ul> <li>Delaware Seashore State Park</li> <li>Cape Henlopen State Park</li> <li>Holts Landing State Park</li> <li>Fenwick Island State Park</li> <li>Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge</li> <li>Gordons Pond State Park</li> <li>Great Cypress Swamp Nature Preserve</li> <li>Trap Pond State Park</li> <li>Redden State Forest</li> </ul> Attractions <ul> <li>Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek</li> <li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/seaford-museum.htm">Seaford Museum</a></li> </ul> <div> </div>

April 2 - December 29: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm December 30 - April 1: Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 3pm

Visit the Nanticoke Indian Association's museum, located in Millsboro, Delaware. Learn about the Tribe's history, traditions, and craftsmanship firsthand. The museum features an exhibit on traditional clothing, a store with items made by tribal citizens, and more.

Delaware's Indigenous Heritage on Your Beach Trip

Arts

The exterior of the Pamunkey Indian Museum.

Pamunkey Indian Museum

Learn about Indigenous history in the Richmond area by visiting museum exhibits curated by Tribal communities. Today, there are 7 federal and 11 state recognized Tribes in the commonwealth of Virginia. These museums and virtual exhibits are open to the public. Be sure to check the websites provided before visiting, as hours are sometimes limited.  <h3>Pamunkey Indian Museum & Reservation</h3> Address: 175 Lay Landing Rd, King William, VA 23086 Phone: (804) 843-4792 Web: <a href="http://pamunkey.org/reservation/museum-cultural-center/">http://pamunkey.org/reservation/museum-cultural-center/</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PamunkeyIndianMuseumAndCulturalCenter">https://www.facebook.com/PamunkeyIndianMuseumAndCulturalCenter</a> The Pamunkey Indian Museum is operated by the Pamunkey Tribe and can be found on the Tribe’s reservation on the Pamunkey River in coastal Virginia. The museum tells the story of the tribe from as far back as the last Ice Age to the present day. On display are items intended to teach about the Tribe’s way of life over time. Also at the museum are objects that tell the story of the Tribe’s place in historical events, such as an ornate frontlet that was commissioned by King Charles II for Chief Cockacoeske. Contemporary pottery and other artwork can be purchased in the museum’s store. NOTICE: Please call ahead or check the museum's Facebook page to verify that the museum is open.  <h3>Mattaponi Indian Reservation</h3> The Mattaponi Indian Reservation is one of two reservations in Virginia, the other being the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. A museum on the reservation tells a long and varied story of the Tribe's history here on Virginia's "Middle Penninsula," from modern newspaper clippings to centuries-old artifacts. The reservation also includes a shad hatchery, trading post, and pottery studio. Before visiting, contact the Tribe at (804) 353-5908 to confirm open hours.    <h3>Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia Museum & Cultural Center</h3> The Patawomeck Tribe are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The museum is open to the general public Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 - 5 pm, and every first and third Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information, contact patawomecktribalcenter@gmail.com or call (540) 225-3900. Book your visit to the museum here: <a href="https://www.patawomeckindiantribeofvirginia.org/plan-your-visit">Plan Your Visit | Patawomeck (patawomeckindiantribeofvirginia.org)</a>   <h3>Rappahannock Tribe Virtual Museum</h3> The Rappahannock Tribe, namesake of the Rappahannock river, has a virtual museum on its website. Step back in time with these pictures from the Tribe's history, showcasing the 20th century. The exhibit includes portraits of Tribal leaders and photographs from Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Jamestown.  View the virtual museum here: <a href="https://www.rappahannocktribe.org/museum-exhibits/">Rappahannock Tribe Museum 2.0 – Rappahannock Indian Tribe</a>

Call ahead to verify that the museums are open or to make a reservation.  

The Pamunkey Indian Museum is the museum of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and is located on the tribe's reservation in coastal Virginia. On display are objects that showcase the tribe's history, artistic traditions, and role in historical events.

Tour Tribal Museums Near Richmond

Living History

Adults: $13 Children (ages 5 - 12): $9 Children (4 and under): Free Members: Free (must present a Patron Pass or photo identification) Military: $12 Museums for All: Free

A Native American longhouse sitting in a grassy area under trees.

Henricus American Indian Village

251 Henricus Park Road Chester, VA 23836

In the Virginia Algonquian language, yehakin is the word for house. The type of living structure that these communities built is often referred to today as a longhouse. These homes were constructed from wooden frames and covered with woven mats. Their rounded shape made them sturdy and resistant to winds and rain. This construction also allowed families to roll up the mats and transport them to a new location during times of travel. During the autumn and winter hunting season, for example, families would often move further inland and construct smaller, temporary residences.  In the community, women were responsible for constructing yehakins. This gave them ownership of the household. A woman's family, including many extended family members, lived here. Inside were areas for storage, places for cooking over the fire, and platform beds lined with furs. It was here, in these family homes, that centuries of Native Americans lived alongside the waters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Here were their prized posessions, the places where they gathered to hold meetings and tell stories, and where they would come together as families to rest and eat after a day's work.  At Henricus Historical Park, step inside an Algonquian yehakin. See how the structure is made, and view many of the items that families would have stored inside.  <h3>History of Henricus</h3> Henricus was the Virginia colony’s second town, established three years after the founding of Jamestown. Today, Henricus is a living history museum, complete with a historic fort, plantation, overlook of the James River, and the recreated American Indian town of Arrohateck. The Arrohateck people were displaced from the area shortly after the English began to establish their colony. Henricus was influential in the life of an important Virginia Indian figure, Pocahontas. She was brought to Henricus by the English after she was taken hostage. It was here where she was baptized and took the name Rebecca. <h3>Visiting Henricus Historical Park</h3> In addition to the living history museum, Henricus Historical Park offers school and youth programs, special events, lesson plans, and adult educational programming. 251 Henricus Park Rd. Chester, VA 23836 804-748-1611  <a href="http://www.henricus.org">www.henricus.org</a> Hours: Wed to Sun from 10-5

The town of Henricus was built by the English a few years after the establishment of Jamestown. The area was formerly occupied by the Arrohateck people, who were displaced by English arrival. At Henricus Historical Park, tour a recreated Arrohateck village and learn about the well-known indigenous people, such as Pocahontas, who came to Henricus.

Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

See Inside a Longhouse at Henricus Historical Park

Colonial/European Contact Conflicts

Freshwater Swimming

Vehicle Entrance Fee Cars: $7 weekends 5/25 to 6/16 Cars: $7 daily 6/17 through Labor Day Non-Commercial Bus Fee: $35 Commercial Bus Fee: $75 Seasonal Bus Permit: $75

A lake with clear, blue-green water and distant tree-covered hills.

Waters of Otsego Lake

1527 County Highway 31 Cooperstown, NY 13326

<h3>Swim in the Headwaters of the Chesapeake</h3> Go for a swim in the clear waters of the Otsego Lake, the northernmost point of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. These waters are where much of the water in the Chesapeake Bay begins! As the headwaters of the Susquehanna River, the Otsego Lake is the origin point of the Chesapeake Bay and its vast watershed.  Swimming is a wonderful way to enjoy the lake, with crystal clear waters, mountain views, and fresh mountain-fed water. Public beaches are available within <a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/glimmerglass/details.aspx">Glimmerglass State Park</a>, a New York State Park.  Head to the park and pay the entrance fee. Park in the beach area. Swimming is included in your entrance fee. After applying sunscreen, jump into the lake's waters. Take a lap and look around to enjoy the clear water and mountain views.  <h3>While You're There...</h3> After you've taken a dip at the park's swimming beach, check out the other activities the park has to offer, including... <ul> <li> Trails </li> <li> Campgrounds </li> <li> Picnic pavilions </li> <li> Playground </li> <li> Boat launch </li> <li> Fishing pier </li> </ul> <h3>Information for Visitors</h3> Address: 1527 County Highway 31 Cooperstown, NY 13326 Phone number: (607) 547-8662 More information and camping reservations: <a href="https://parks.ny.gov/parks/glimmerglass/details.aspx">Glimmerglass State Park (ny.gov)</a>

Pet Policy (per Glimmerglass State Park): "A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals)."

Swim in the clear waters of the Otsego Lake, the northernmost point of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Public beaches are available within Glimmerglass State Park.

Swim in the Otsego Lake

Lakes

Headwaters

Information is available at the following external websites: <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/thompson-boat-center/">Thompson Boat Center</a> <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/key-bridge-boathouse/">Key Bridge Boathouse</a>

brightly colored kayaks, canoes and paddle boards are neatly stacked

Kayaks at Thompson Boat Center

The boat houses are located in the Georgetown Neighborhood of Washington, DC along the waterfront.

Rock Creek is a shallow body of water that flows through the city of Washington and is a tributary of the Potomac River. Rock Creek Park partners with <a href="http://www.boatingindc.com/">Boating in DC</a> to provide recreationists with options at two boat houses along the Potomac River.

Information on making reservations is available at the following external websites: <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/thompson-boat-center/">Thompson Boat Center</a> <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/key-bridge-boathouse/">Key Bridge Boathouse</a>

Additional information is available at the following external websites: <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/thompson-boat-center/">Thompson Boat Center</a> <a href="https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/key-bridge-boathouse/">Key Bridge Boathouse</a>

Rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards from one of two boat houses along the Potomac River.

Boating in Rock Creek Park

Hiking

Dumbarton Oaks Waterfall

Thompson Boat Center is a great place to start. Parking is metered, and visitors are able to pay with either credit card or through the ParkMobile app.

<h2>Overview: </h2> Did you know that Rock Creek Park connects to many other parks in the region?  This hike is a 10-mile loop that will take you to some sites managed by <a href="https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm">Rock Creek Park</a> in Georgetown. In addition, it connects to the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/stsp/index.htm">Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail</a>, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm">Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park</a>, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/index.htm">George Washington Memorial Parkway</a>, and the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm">National Mall and Memorial Parks</a>.  <h2>Directions:</h2> <ul> <li> Park your car at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/000/thompson-boat-center.htm">Thompson Boat Center</a>. This parking area is metered. Visitors can pay with a card at the box or by using the ParkMobile app. </li> <li> Walk towards the entrance to Thompson Boat Center parking area, and turn left on the paved path. This is the paved Rock Creek Multi-use Trail.   </li> <li> You will walk through half of the Rock Creek Park exercise course near the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. When you cross the bridge at the half-way point, make a sharp left and follow the dirt trail, the Normanstone Trail. </li> <li> Follow the small park signs towards <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/montrose-park.htm">Montrose Park</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/dumbarton-oaks-park.htm">Dumbarton Oaks Park</a>. You will walk behind a small tributary that may or may not be dry, depending upon the time of the year. When you reach Lover's Lane, turn right to go to Dumbarton Oaks Park. This park is managed by Rock Creek Park. </li> <li> Check out Beatrix Farrand's landscaped wild garden. Follow the trail past the falls, and take the trail to the left when it forks. </li> <li> Follow the fork up to Whitehaven Street NW. Walk towards Wisconsin Avenue NW and carefully cross the road. Pick up the Whitehaven Trail on the other side of Wisconsin Avenue NW. </li> <li> Take the Whitehaven Trail all the way to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/glover-archbold-park.htm">Glover-Archbold Park</a>. Just before you reach the Foundry Branch (stream), turn left and take the main trail through Glover-Archbold Park. </li> <li> For your safety, follow any detours in place. </li> <li> When you reach M Street NW/Canal Road, turn left and follow the sidewalk a short distance until there's a sharp turn on your left. Follow this trail and go through the tunnel, under Canal Road, and step on to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal tow path (dirt and stone path).  </li> <li> Follow the towpath to the aqueduct, and continue onto K Street NW/Water Street NW. </li> <li> Turn left on 34th Street NW, and continue up the hill. Take the path to the footbridge over the canal.  </li> <li> Enter <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/000/francis-scott-key-park.htm">Francis Scott Key Memorial Park</a>. This park is dedicated to the man who wrote the poem that would eventually become our National Anthem. Key lived in a home near this location while he was attorney general for the District of Columbia. His home was heavily altered in the 19th and 20th centuries and was eventually demolished to make way for the Whitehurst Freeway. </li> <li> Follow the sidewalk to the left, and stay on the sidewalk. Cross Key Bridge. </li> <li> Take a left at the end of the bridge. Follow signs for the Custis Trail and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/this/index.htm">Theodore Roosevelt Island</a>. </li> <li>Take a brief detour at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/discover-theodore-roosevelt-island.htm">Theodore Roosevelt Island</a> if you would like. Enjoy the memorial plaza and take in the natural sounds of this 88.5 acre island. Once known as Analostan Island and Mason's Island, this site was once a camp for African American refugees from slavery and Camp Green, a camp for African American troops partly recruited from freedom seekers. This island was where the first United States Colored Troops trained.</li> <li>Return to the paved Mount Vernon Trail. Follow the signs to Memorial Bridge.</li> <li> Cross Memorial Bridge, and walk towards the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/000/lincoln-memorial.htm">Lincoln Memorial</a>. </li> <li> Restrooms are available at the Lincoln Memorial to the left of the stairs. </li> <li> From the Lincoln Memorial walk up either side of the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument. Stop at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/national-world-war-ii-memorial.htm">World War II Memorial</a>. </li> <li> Exit through the Atlantic pillar, and follow the path through <a href="https://www.nps.gov/coga/index.htm">Constitution Gardens</a>.   </li> <li> Cross Constitution Avenue NW, and turn left until you reach Virginia Ave. NW. </li> <li> Turn right on Virginia Avenue NW, and continue until you return to Thompson Boat Center. </li> </ul> This hike allows you to touch on several other trail systems that are accessible from Rock Creek Park. This includes:  <ul> <li> 184.5 miles of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm">Chesapeake and Ohio Canal</a>   </li> <li> 830 miles of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm">Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail </a> </li> <li> 560 miles of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/stsp/index.htm">Star-Spangled Banner Trail </a> </li> <li> 27 miles of trail along the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gwmp">George Washington Memorial Parkway</a> (Potomac Heritage Trail and Mount Vernon Trail)  </li> <li> 3,000 miles of trails in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cajo">Captain John Smith National Historic Trail </a> </li> <li> 680 miles of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/waro">Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail  </a> </li> </ul>

Pets are allowed on trails within Rock Creek Park but must adhere to the B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles. Dogs must always be on a leash within the park. Waste must be carried out and disposed of in trash receptacles. For more information on B.A.R.K. Ranger visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pets/index.htm">Pets</a> section of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm">National Park Service</a> website.

Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!

Multi-Park Loop

American Revolution

Architecture and Building

Landscape Design

Infantry and Militia

US Air Force (Army Air Corps)

US Army

US Marines

US Navy

Monuments and Memorials

Presidents

Rock Landscapes and Features

Transportation

Bridges

Canals

Roads, Routes and Highways

Tunnels

Urban America

Wars and Conflicts

American Revolutionary War

Civil War

Korean War

Spanish-American War

Vietnam War

World War I

World War II

Waterfalls

Paddling at Northumberand Point

The Susquehanna River is the longest river in the Eastern United States and the 16th longest in the country at 444 miles long. The Susquehanna forms from two branches that meet in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. The North Branch comes from Cooperstown, New York and the West Branch that rises from the borough of Carrolltown, Pennsylvania. The river has played a very important role throughout American history from colonial times, through the industrial revolution, to today. Through the early 19th century, the West Branch Susquehanna provided the main canoe route that connects the Susquehanna and Ohio valleys. With the start of the industrial revolution, many factories sprung up around the banks of the River to make use of its moving water to power mills and coal machinery. It also made transportation of raw and manufactured easier and more convenient. The Susquehanna has played an important role in the transportation history of the United States. Prior to the construction of the Port Deposit Bridge in 1818, the only way to cross the north, south barrier was by ferry. The earliest dams were constructed to help ferry companies in times of low water so they continue to operate. Canals where constructed in the 1820s and 30s to help with navigations and to bypass rapids. The canals required more dams so sufficient water could be provided for their use. As industry improved, bridges replaceds ferries, and railroads replaced canals. The railroads were generally constructed over where canals used to be, running along the water. Today, most of the canals have been filled in, but you can still see remnants of a few throughout the river.   <h3>The River</h3> <ul> <li>The main stem of the Susquehanna River stretches 444 miles from Cooperstown, New York to where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace, Maryland. The Western Branch of the Susquehanna is 242 miles long, winding from Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, to where it empties into the main body of the Susquehanna in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.</li> <li>An average rush of 18 million gallons of freshwater empties at the river's mouth at Havre de Grace every minute, supplying roughly half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay.</li> <li>The Susquehanna River flows through five ridges with four of them being in the Poconos and one being in the Blue Mountains. The ridges from north to south are Manhantango Mountain, Berry Mountain, Peters Mountain, Second Mountain, and Blue Mountain.</li> </ul> <h3>The Watershed</h3> <ul> <li>The Susquehanna River watershed ‒ the area of land that drains to the river ‒ covers 27,100 square miles across three states (New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland).</li> <li>The Susquehanna River Basin contains approximately 49,000 miles of waterways, all emptying into the Susquehanna and into the Bay.</li> <li>Over 6.1 million people receive their drinking water from the Susquehanna River Basin.</li> </ul> <h3>Learn More</h3> The Suquehanna River Water Trail is managed by various organizations throughout Pennsylvania. To learn more about the trail and its paddle trips, visit these sites: General - <a href="https://susquehannagreenway.org/explore-susquehanna-greenway">Susquehanna Greenway</a> General / Lower Branch - <a href="https://susqnha.org/">Susquehanna National Heritage Area</a> <ul> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://susqnha.org/explore-2/maps-guides/">Maps, guides, and apps</a></li> </ul> <div style="margin-left: 40px;">Middle Branch - <a href="https://www.susquehannarivertrail.org/">Susquehanna River Trail Association</a> West Branch - <a href="https://susquehannagreenway.org/west-branch-water-trail-map-guide">Susquehanna Greenway</a> </div> North Branch - <a href="https://www.emheritage.org/">Endless Mountains Heritage Region</a>  <ul> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://www.emheritage.org/north-branch-susquehanna-river-water-trail/">North Branch Water Trail Map</a></li> <li style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://www.emheritage.org/heritage-map/">Heritage Area Map</a></li> </ul>

The Susquehanna River is the longest river in the Eastern United States and the 16th longest in the country at 444 miles long. The Susquehanna forms from two branches that meet in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. The North Branch comes from Cooperstown, New York and the West Branch that rises from the borough of Carrolltown, Pennsylvania.

Paddle the Susquehanna

Road Biking

With Reedville as a base, ride the 22-mile Reedville -- Vir-Mar Beach -- Smith Point Loop and access marinas and charter services at Ophelia/Heathsville, Smith Point and Reedville.  Note that the Sunnybank Ferry does not operate on Sundays.  Refer the Northern Neck Heritage Trail Bicycling Route map, available from the <a href="http://www.northernneck.org">Northern Neck Tourism Commission</a> and on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/maps.htm">Trail Web site</a>.

Depending on riding ability, length of stops at points of interest, and whether bicyclists choose to charter a tour on the water.

Costs for lodging and boat charters.  Sunnybank Ferry is free.

two youth looking at open water from deck of a large boat

Reedville, Virginia, is located on southeastern corner of the Northern Neck of Virginia and serves as the eastern anchor, along with Smith Point, for the Northern Neck Heritage Trail Bicycling Route.

Bicycle from Reedville, an historic village at the northeastern part of the Northern Neck of Virginia, to a marina for a fishing trip or charter tour on the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay.

Although reservations suggested for lodging and boat charters.

Some boat charters leave early in the morning.

Bicycle to a marina from Reedville, Virginia

African American Heritage

Industry

Maritime

Lighthouses

Riding is mostly on secondary roads.  Using loops off of the Northern Neck Heritage Trail Bicycling Route, riders can avoid Route 3 (which has minimal or no shoulders and vehicles traveling at high speeds).  Kayak and paddleboard rentals available at the Park.  Refer to the bicycling routes map and brochure for the Northern Neck.

Depending on bicycling ability and time spent at various sites.

On the Potomac River adjacent to Stratford Hall and near George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Montross.

With Westmoreland State Park as a base, ride a loop connected with the Northern Neck Heritage Trail to explore Stratford Hall, the birthplace of George Washington, Colonial Beach, wineries, historic sites and the Potomac River shoreline. A map and more information is available from the Northern Neck Tourism Commission at www.northernneck.org.

Recommended for state park cabins and campsites.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

Paddle the Potomac River

Description

Paddle the Patuxent River Water Trail

Description

Paddle the Anacostia Water Trail

Description

Paddle & Visit an Archeological Museum

Description

Skiffin’ Down to Nottingham on Mattaponi Creek

Description

Fees

Paddle Mattaponi Creek

Description

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