Potomac Heritage Trail Family Adventure Guide

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Potomac Heritage Trail

Family NT VE UR D E A

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Family Adventure Guide

Produced by the National Park Service Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office and Harpers Ferry Center

U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, DC North PITTSBURGH

llegheny R iver

Laurel Highlands McKEESPORT

r e iv R

UNIONTOWN

MORGANTOWN P L T N Y

G H L y L n Laurel Highlands e h Hiking Trail OHIOPYLE g o i SEWARD h g u Great Allegheny o Y W E S T JOHNSTOWN Passage and V I R G I N I A CONFLUENCE r Ca e sselman Ri iv ver R y n ROCKWOOD e h Eastern Continental og hi ug Great Allegheny Yo Passage McHENRY ivide tal D Deep Eastern Continental nen Divide Loop onti Divide Loop n C Creek MEYERSDALE ter Lake as

Fairfax P E N N S Y LVA N I A Stone Nor th Branch FROSTBURG P o t om ac CUMBERLAND R iver Y L L MARYLAND V N D P o t o Chesapeake and Ohio D G m a c R

iver R omac Pot B ranch South Canal Towpath

River HANCOCK r ive R

n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

e u Cree k ag he nococ Co W E S T WINCHESTER V I R G I N I A HAGERSTOWN il ra c T ni Sce SHEPHERDSTOWN onal Nati achian pal Ap

Washington, DC FRONT ROYAL Sh enan HARPERS FERRY doa h R iv er rail G chia ic T P ala n National S cen o D App t o R m er nocacy Riv a BRUNSWICK Mo c

SHENANDOAH

L i FREDERICK NATIONAL PARK B v e

r LEESBURG M A R Y L A N D

Potomac Heritage Trail

D M O P N T

Northern Virginia V I R G I N I A Potomac Heritage Trail

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BALTIMORE FREDERICKSBURG

L P L N T ANNAPOLIS S M A R Y L A N D Y O B C Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route P COLONIAL S Northern Neck BEACH P H o t C o m

a c of Virginia

Northern Neck Heritage Trail R i Trail Extent Bicycling Route v

e r

V I R G I N I A E

N PENNSYLVANIA

OHIO

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i N NJ

k R WASHINGTON DC

o DEL E n MD n POINT LOOKOUT WEST a h H VIRGINIA a p p T a R R VIRGINIA

Southern Maryland O SMITH POINT

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles Hike, Bike, Paddle, and Explore the Potomac Heritage Trail

Few trails link land, water, and history as well as the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. When he founded the Patowmack Canal Company in 1784, George Washington envisioned a corridor of commerce linking the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River. His dream was partially realized when the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal reached Cumberland. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad soon replaced the canal and completed the connection to Ohio at Wheeling.

At over 900 miles, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network links people and places from the tidal Potomac to the Allegheny Plateau. From plateaus and plains to ridges and valleys, family fun meets fascinating learning opportunities along the Potomac. Choose a region to explore on foot, bicycle, horse, or by boat and connect with history and nature along the way.

Page Explore by Region

5 Laurel Highlands

9 Great Allegheny Passage and Eastern Continental Divide Loop

13 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

17 Washington, DC

21 Northern Virginia

25 Northern Neck of Virginia

29 Southern Maryland

32 More Information

3 0 10 Miles North

PITTSBURGH Fort Pitt Museum llegheny R iver

McKEESPORT

Laurel Highlands Trail NPS

r e

g o UNIONTOWN i h

g u o Trailside shelter Y NPS

OHIOPYLE Ferncliff Peninsula Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Ohiopyle State Park Fallingwater SEWARD Visitor Center

Fort Necessity JOHNSTOWN National Battlefield Visitor Center Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office W E S T r Ca e sselman Ri iv ver R y V I R G I N I A n ROCKWOOD e h og hi Great Allegheny ug Yo Passage

McHENRY Deep Eastern Continental Creek Divide Loop MEYERSDALE Lake

Fairfax Stone Nor th Branch FROSTBURG

P o t om ac CUMBERLAND Laurel Ridge State Park River NPS Canal Place Visitor Center MARLAND

t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c P E N N S LVA N I A

Trail System

River

tomac h Po h B ranc Sout

Paw Paw River HANCOCK Bends Hancock Visitor Center 4

ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

WINCHESTER V I R G I N I A HAGERSTOWN il ra Antietam c T ni National Sce SHEPHERDSTOWN Battleﬁeld onal Nati achian Harpers Ferry National Historical Park pal Ap Visitor Center FRONT ROYAL S henan HARPERS FERRY doa G h D R iv er rail R chia ic T P ala n National S cen o Brunswick SHENANDOAH App t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo L c

PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK

Washington and e Old Dominion Trail r Monocacy LEESBURG National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

Whites Ferry

Potomac Heritage Trail P la n n e d D M O N T P Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

See Area Detail Below

Potomac Heritage Trail Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Pl an n e BALTIMORE Government d FREDERICKSBURG Island Stafford Visitor Center Smallwood State Park George Washington’s Ferry Farm Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area L N L P S T Thomas Stone National Historic Site ANNAPOLIS O Caledon C State Park M A R L A N D Y B ekiah George Washington Birthplace Swamp Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route National Monument Visitor Center P COLONIAL BEACH S

l a n P H n e o d t C o Westmoreland m State Park a c District of Columbia Area Detail

Saint Clements Island State Park Northern Neck P l a n Stratford Hall

Heritage Trail n e

d R Bicycling Route i v e

E Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A N (visitor centers and museums)

e v

i E

R Rice’s Hotel/

H Hughlett’s Tavern

c T

n R POINT LOOKOUT n a h O a

p N p a R

Reedville SMITH POINT North

PITTSBURGH Fort Pitt Museum Laurel Highlands llegheny R iver

McKEESPORT

r e iv

g o UNIONTOWN i h g u o Y

OHIOPYLE Ferncliff Peninsula Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Ohiopyle State Park Fallingwater SEWARD Visitor Center

Fort Necessity JOHNSTOWN National Battlefield Visitor Center Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office W E S T r Ca PA DEPT. OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION e sselman Ri iv ver Discoveries abound on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. R y V I R G I N I A n ROCKWOOD e h og hi Great Allegheny ug Yo Passage

McHENRY Deep Eastern Continental Laurel Highlands Highlights Creek Divide Loop MEYERSDALE Lake Hit the trail. Day hike through a Pennsylvania woodland paradise. Although the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is 70 miles long, you can spend just a few hours on the route to enjoy fantastic forests, stream valleys, and high Fairfax mountain ridges. Follow the blazes along the way. Yellow marks the main Stone Nor th Branch trail and blue marks connector routes. FROSTBURG

P o t om ac CUMBERLAND Sleep under the stars. For a longer trek, strap on a backpack. Identify R iver Canal Place Visitor Center rocks and plants along the way, or just find peace and quiet. Campsites offer MARLAND chances to rest, stargaze, and enjoy the sounds of nature. Eight Adirondack- style shelters and tent areas—available by reservation—include water, fire P o t rings, and wood for campfires. Many areas are located within a mile or two o m Green Ridge of a trailhead, providing an easy introduction to backpacking. a State Forest c P E N N S LVA N I A

Trail System

River tomac h Po h B ranc Get wild about winter. Skiers and snowshoers can find year-round fun Sout

at the Laurel Ridge Crosscountry Ski Center off Route 653. A groomed trail

ver Paw Paw Ri HANCOCK system invites people of all abilities and ages to explore the ridge in winter. Bends Hancock Visitor Center 5

ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK

Washington and e Old Dominion Trail r Monocacy LEESBURG National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

Whites Ferry

Potomac Heritage Trail P la n n e d D M O N T P Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

See Area Detail Below

P l a n P H n e o d t C o Westmoreland m State Park a c District of Columbia Area Detail

Saint Clements Island State Park Northern Neck P l a n Stratford Hall

Heritage Trail n e d R Bicycling Route i v e

E Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A N (visitor centers and museums)

e v

i E

R Rice’s Hotel/

H Hughlett’s Tavern

c T o n R POINT LOOKOUT n a h O a p N p a R

Reedville SMITH POINT Go Trailblazing

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is well-marked and open year-round. Follow the 2” x 5” yellow blazes that appear every 100 feet. Connector trails that lead to and from trailheads and shelter areas are marked with blue blazes. Each mile is marked with a concrete pillar.

NPS NPS NPS

Hikin rs g th te e Head w a

Rain and snow that falls on Laurel Ridge feeds springs and wetlands that drain into the Potomac River watershed. Visitors can stay healthy and help protect water quality downstream by following some simple tips on any outing.

Bring your own water on short outings. For longer adventures, plan ahead to use water from sources like pumps at shelters, parking area spigots, springs, and streams. Be prepared to boil or filter untreated water. Only a few sites offer treated drinking water.

Wash hands and dishes with soap and clean water away from streams. Where toilets are unavailable, bury human waste eight inches deep and at least 200 feet away from natural waters. Go online for more information at www.nps.gov/public_health.

6 Whose Leaf is That?

Highland forests offer summer shade and a rainbow of fall colors. Search for different leaf shapes along the trail. Can you connect them to these native trees?

White Oak

Look for round lobes on curvy leaves that change from green to brown in fall. Usually, the trunk is gray, not white. Big and wide, white oak trees can grow over 100 feet tall and live for hundreds of years in eastern forests. Wildlife eat the small acorns.

Sweet Gum

Watch your step around these trees! Hard, spiky fruits can hurt your feet. Pointed, star-shaped leaves make sweet gum trees easy to identify.

Five-lobed leaves bigger than your hand turn yellow, orange, and red in fall. Stands of sugar maple trees make up cool, shady forests and provide the best source for sweet maple syrup.

Red Oak

Pointier than white oak leaves, these leaves turn bright red or brown in fall. Older trees seem to have shiny red stripes down their rough bark. Red oak acorns also provide food for wildlife.

ALL LEAF IMAGES © NINJATACOSHELL/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

7 0 10 Miles North

PITTSBURGH Fort Pitt Museum llegheny R iver

Youghiogheny River NPS

r e iv R

New Germany State Park TIMOTHY JACOBSEN–GARRETT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UNIONTOWN

MORGANTOWN

OHIOPYLE n e

Ferncliff Peninsula h

o i Ohiopyle State Park h g Visitor Center u o Y Fort Necessity National Battlefield Visitor Center W E S T r CONFLUENCE ve i Cass V I R G I N I A R elman Riv y er n Big Savage Tunnel e h ROCKWOOD NPS g o hi ug Great Allegheny Yo Passage

McHENRY Eastern Continental Salisbury de Divi Deep Divide Loop Viaduct ntal tine Creek Meadow Con MEYERSDALE ern Lake Mountain ast Mason-Dixon Line

New Germany State Park Fairfax High Rock Stone No rth Bra nch MARLAND Big Savage FROSTBURG Tunnel P o t om ac CUMBERLAND R iver Canal Place Visitor Center

o Frostburg, MD

t NPS o m Chesapeake and Ohio a Canal Towpath c

iver R omac Pot B ranch P E N N S LVA N I A South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center

n 8 po ca Ca

ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

WINCHESTER V I R G I N I A HAGERSTOWN il ra Antietam c T ni National Sce Battleﬁeld al SHEPHERDSTOWN ation chian N ala Harpers Ferry National Historical Park pp Visitor Center A FRONT ROYAL S henan HARPERS FERRY doa h

R iv er rail chia ic T P ala n National S cen o Brunswick SHENANDOAH App t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c

PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK

Washington and e Old Dominion Trail r Monocacy LEESBURG National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

Whites Ferry

Potomac Heritage Trail P la n n e d

Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

See Area Detail Below

Thomas Stone National Historic Site ANNAPOLIS Caledon State Park M A R L A N D Y B ekiah George Washington Birthplace Swamp Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route National Monument Visitor Center P COLONIAL BEACH S

l a n P H n e o d t C o Westmoreland m State Park a c District of Columbia Area Detail

Great Falls Park 270 Saint Clements Island State Park Visitor Center Northern Neck P l a 66 n Stratford Hall Heritage Trail n e Potomac Heritage Trail d R Bicycling Route i v e Chesapeake and Ohio r Canal Towpath

K Potomac Heritage Trail

C George Washington Memorial Parkway 495 M ARYLAND E Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A N (visitor centers and museums) 50

29 495 Washington and

N Old Dominion Trail

r R

e VIRGINIA Georgetown v

i E Visitor Center

R Rice’s Hotel/

H Hughlett’s Tavern 395 DISTRICT

c OF COLUMBIA T

o Mount Vernon Trail 1 n R POINT LOOKOUT n ALEXANDRIA a Ramsay House h O Visitor Center Civil War Defenses a p N Alexandria of Washington Trail p a Visitor Center R e r i v R

1 Reedville SMITH POINT

Mount Vernon a c m t o o P Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route 50

Fort Washington Park North Visitor Center 0 2 Kilometers 495 0 2 Miles Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park Visitor Center GAP / ECD Loop

NPS Cyclists enjoy the spectacular view from the Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale.

Great Allegheny Passage and Eastern Continental Divide Loop Highlights

Go with the grade. Trace the tracks of time from rails to trails along 150 scenic miles between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland. Originally the route of the Western Maryland Railway, this nearly level corridor offers endless encounters for hikers, bicyclists, and history buffs. Visitors can ride today’s Maryland Scenic Railway from Cumberland to Frostburg with bicycles aboard and coast downhill on two wheels!

Bike the Divide. Bicycle over the Eastern Continental Divide from the Frostburg Train Station to spend the night in Meyersdale and return the next day. Enjoy the winding, gradual climb and the view of the Wills Creek Valley. Pass through the 3,100-foot Big Savage Tunnel (closed in winter) and remember to bring a light! For a longer trip, continue over the Salisbury Viaduct to Ohiopyle for rafting, fishing, and hiking. A gentle grade and several state parks makes this trail a winter treat for crosscountry skiers.

9 Discover Rails to Trails

Young George Washington dreamed of increasing commerce and industry by connecting the Ohio River to Chesapeake Bay. Washington’s vision was realized in the late 1820s with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Today this route serves tourists and travelers as they experience the rich history and natural beauty of destinations along the Allegheny Passage.

ation erv Cl ns ou o d C The “Leave No Trace Seven Principles”

1. Plan ahead and prepare.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.

3. Dispose of waste properly.

4. Leave what you find.

5. Minimize campfire impacts.

6. Respect wildlife.

7. Be considerate of other visitors.

10 Bike, Hike, Walk, and Ski

There is something for everyone along the Great Allegheny Passage, whether you stay on the main route or head for adventure on one of many connector trails.

Eastern Continental Divide

Cross the Allegheny Divide between the Atlantic and Mississippi watersheds as you travel on foot or cycle along this 150-mile route. Experience a continuous network of communities, trails, and waterways.

GARRETT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mason-Dixon Line

Stand on the famous American boundary between North and South. In the 1760s Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon surveyed the official boundary, ending a dispute between two colonial landowners.

NPS

High Rock

Trek on the Big Savage Mountain Trail to scale a summit, visit the remains of a fire tower, and enjoy sweeping vistas. An easy two-mile roundtrip hike starts at the High Rock Fire Road parking area.

NPS

Meadow Mountain Overlook

Enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the region when you hike, snowshoe, or ski on the Meadow Mountain Trail. Climb to the site of a former lookout tower and view the Monroe Run watershed and ridges to the east.

NPS 11 Trail Extent PITTSBURGH

Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA llegheny R OHIO iver N WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles

r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station

MORGANTOWN

OHIOPYLE n Ferncliff Peninsula e h Laurel Highlands g

o i Hiking Trail SEWARD Ohiopyle State Park h g Visitor Center u o Y Fort Necessity National Battlefield JOHNSTOWN Visitor Center W E S T Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office r V I R G I N I A e Casselman R iv iver R ROCKWOOD

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone

FROSTBURG 0 10 Miles North P E N N S LVA N I A CUMBERLAND Canal Place Visitor Center MARLAND

t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System

River HANCOCK Paw Paw Tunnel Paw Paw NPS il Tra Bends ra scaro Hancock Visitor Tu Center

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

W E S T

V I R G I N I A Williamsport Visitor Center C&O Canal Towpath USFWS HAGERSTOWN il WINCHESTER ra Antietam c T ni National Sce SHEPHERDSTOWN Battleﬁeld onal Nati achian Harpers Ferry National Historical Park pal Killiansburg Ap Visitor Center Cave S henan HARPERS FERRY doa h

R iv er rail chia ic T P ala n National S cen o Brunswick App t o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c

PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK

Washington and e Old Dominion Trail r

LEESBURG Whites Ferry Potomac Heritage Trail

Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center Potomac River NPS

Billy Goat Trail

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BALTIMORE 12 M A R L A N D

COLONIAL BEACH

l a n n e d

Westmoreland State Park District of Columbia Area Detail

K Potomac Heritage Trail

C George Washington Memorial Parkway 495 M ARYLAND E Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A N (visitor centers and museums) 50

29 495 Washington and

N Old Dominion Trail

r R

e VIRGINIA Georgetown v

i E Visitor Center

R Rice’s Hotel/

H Hughlett’s Tavern 395 DISTRICT

k c OF COLUMBIA T o Mount Vernon Trail 1 n R POINT LOOKOUT n ALEXANDRIA a Ramsay House h O Visitor Center Civil War Defenses a p N Alexandria of Washington Trail p a Visitor Center R e r i v R

1 Reedville SMITH POINT

Mount Vernon a c m t o o P Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route 50

Fort Washington Park North Visitor Center 0 2 Kilometers 495 0 2 Miles Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park Visitor Center C&O Canal Towpath

C&O Canal Towpath Highlights

Ride a canal boat at Great Falls. The 1870s are not so far away in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Experience a memorable boat ride, meet the famous mules, and encounter canal history on the Charles F. Mercer at Great Falls Tavern. Imagine how people lived and worked along the canal during its heyday. Go fishing on the canal or add a paddle on the Potomac to complete your adventure.

Stay overnight at a canal lock house. The C & O Canal Trust has restored six lock houses with period furnishings and each is easily reached from the towpath. Step back in time and reserve a lock house at www.canaltrust.org.

Explore the Paw Paw Tunnel. In 1836 engineers estimated the 3,118-foot tunnel would take two years and $33,500 to complete. When the tunnel opened 14 years later, it had cost more than $600,000, but it brought the canal to Cumberland and economic success. Take a headlamp or flashlight on a walk south from the trailhead at MD Route 51 near Towpath Milepost 156.

13 Pick a Path

The C&O Canal operated for nearly 100 years along the Potomac River. Today it provides a pathway for enjoying historical, natural, and recreational discoveries.

Ask a Ranger

Park rangers guide thousands of students and families each year as they explore the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. Junior Rangers learn about nature, geology, and history by completing special activities.

NPS

Climb the Billy Goat Trail

Take a hike on Section C of the Billy Goat Trail from the towpath at Carderock. Your reward will be memorable views of the Potomac River. Steep rocks make Sections A and B a more strenuous adventure.

NPS Pad s dlin ip g T Encounter a Cave Safety

Killiansburg Cave sits at mile marker 75.7 where the canal passes beneath limestone bluffs. Hike 2.5 miles each way to the 35- foot deep cave where civilians took refuge during the Battle of Antietam in 1862.

Meet the Mules

Mules were used to pull the canal boats in the 1800s. Families even lived on narrow boats towed by mules cared for by children. Mules live and work at Great Falls. You can meet the mules at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.

NPS 14 Learn About Locks

A lock is like a gate in the water. Seventy-five numbered locks were built along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to control the height of the water. Every lock on the canal has a number from 1 to 75. Working locks raise and lower the water to let boats through and control traffic on the canal.

NPS © P. DELOACHE 19th-century commerce on the canal Locks 18 and 19 at Great Falls today

Pad s dlin ip g Safety T

You can paddle several sections of the C&O Canal in a canoe and kayak, as well as much of the Potomac River.

Take an on-water course. Certified instructors teach canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rafting, safety, and rescue.

Always wear a life vest (personal flotation device or PFD).

Cold water is extremely dangerous! Learn to protect yourself.

Discover how to share the waterways with other boaters.

Know your limits, conduct a safety check, and file a float plan. Make sure someone not on the trip knows where you are going and when you plan to return.

Adapted from American Canoe Association “Safety Tips.” www.americancanoe.org.

15 79 279 Trail Extent 76 PITTSBURGH 19 Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA legheny l 28 R OHIO iver N 376 WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles

r e 70 iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

40 30 Other Trails 22 119 UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN 119

North

68 y

e OHIOPYLE h Laurel Highlands 119 Ferncliff Peninsula g o i Hiking Trail SEWARD Ohiopyle State Park h g Visitor Center u o Y 422 219 Fort Necessity National Battlefield JOHNSTOWN Visitor Center 50 W E S T Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office 219 r V I R G I N I A e Casselman R iv iver R 40 ROCKWOOD 68 y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g 219 70 ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co 76 30 ter 219 Creek as Lake 99

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

50 P o t 220 om ac R iver CUMBERLAND 220 Canal Place Visitor Center

P o 68 t o m Green Ridge a State Forest 220 c

Trail System 70 iver R omac Pot B ranch 76 South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK 522 r Hancock Visitor ive R Center

n 522 po 50 ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e 70 u Cree k ag 11 he nococ Co 81

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center 81 V I R G I N I A WINCHESTER 81 HAGERSTOWN il ra Antietam c T ni National Sce Battleﬁeld al SHEPHERDSTOWN ation 70 chian N ala Harpers Ferry National Historical Park pp 30 Visitor Center A 340 FRONT ROYAL S henan HARPERS FERRY doa h

R iv er rail 15 chia ic T P ala n National S cen o Brunswick SHENANDOAH App t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c 17

50 PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK

Washington and e Old Dominion Trail r 211 Monocacy LEESBURG National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

North 29 0 10 Miles Potomac Heritage Trail

29 15 Riverbend Park Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern V I R G I N I A Visitor Center 17 See Area Detail Below

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 95 FREDERICKSBURG Stafford 1 Rock Creek Park Nature Center Visitor Center © MRTINDC/CREATIVE COMMONS George Washington’s Ferry Farm

M A R L A N D

17 ANNAPOLIS Y B

P 301 S

P l a n H n e C d Frederick Douglass National Historic Site NPS Westmoreland State Park District of Columbia Area Detail

Great Falls Park 270 Visitor Center Northern Neck P l a 66 n Heritage Trail n

e Potomac Heritage Trail d P

Bicycling Route o

t Chesapeake and Ohio o

m 50Canal Towpath 360

c Potomac Heritage Trail

C George Washington Memorial Parkway 495 M ARYLAND

V I R G I N I A 50

R 495 Washington and

v Old Dominion Trail

r e Georgetown

17 VIRGINIA v

i Visitor Center

395 DISTRICT

k c OF COLUMBIA o Mount Vernon Trail Lincoln Memorial 1 n n ALEXANDRIA Ramsay House a National h Visitor Center Civil War Defenses a Mall p Alexandria of Washington Trail p a Visitor Center R e r i v R

1 Reedville

Mount Vernon a c m Frederick Douglass t o o National Historic Site P Southern Maryland Potomac 50 Heritage Trail Bicycling Route

Fort Washington Park Visitor Center 495 Accokeek Foundation at 16 Piscataway Park Visitor Center Washington, DC

USFWS Locks on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal still guide water through Georgetown.

Metropolitan Washington, DC, Highlights

Visit Rock Creek Park Nature Center. Enjoy exhibits on plants and animals, and visit the only planetarium in the National Park Service. Encounter live turtles, fish, snakes, an active beehive, a bird observation deck, and a “water- wise” garden. Cross the street with care for a short hike on Milkhouse Ford loop and pass by the earthen remains of Civil War-era Fort DeRussy.

Head over to Georgetown. Sense the capital’s past as you stroll among 1700s-era structures built as the nation began to grow. After the Civil War many newly freed African Americans migrated to Georgetown, adding to its cultural mix. Find Milepost 0 of the C&O Canal Towpath, a short walk south from the Thompson Boathouse parking area to the mouth of Rock Creek.

Listen for the voices of freedom. Stop at Cedar Hill for a great vista of the Washington, DC, landscape and learn about the life of African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Douglass escaped slavery as a young man and became a brilliant leader whose home is now a national historic site.

17 Imagine a Circle of Forts

Washington, DC, was built in a natural bowl shaped by the Potomac River. In 1861 the military built roads, rifle pits, and forts along the ring of high hills around the capital. Many of these “Civil War Defenses of Washington” were made from mounds of dirt called “earthworks.” Most of the forts were abandoned by 1866, but some locations still offer good views of the city.

NPS NPS Workers rebuild Fort Stevens in the 1930s. Trees grow on earthworks today.

ation erv Cl ns ou o d C Help Save the Earthworks

You can play an important role in the future of the circle of forts. Earthworks can be damaged by walking, riding, or climbing, so visit historic fort sites with care.

For your safety and to preserve fort structures, do not climb on earthworks. Some may be unstable.

Plants and trees keep the historic earthworks from crumbling away, so leave them undisturbed. Stay on trails and keep dogs leashed.

Leave any objects where you find them. Leave rocks, animals, and wildflowers in place.

18 Visit a Civil War Fort Site!

Modern roads and tranquil trails now lead to most of the Civil War Defenses of Washington locations. Once heavily armed and operated by Union troops, the old earthen fortifications are now occupied by natural woodlands and parks. Take some short trips to discover the circle of fort sites around the city. Be ready to encounter reminders of the past and surprises from the present.

Discover History

Heavy guns positioned at forts around Washington, DC, once protected the city from Confederate troops. More than 800 mounted cannons alone helped defend the nation’s capital. You can still see Civil War-era artillery on display at some fort locations like Fort Stevens and Fort Foote.

NPS Parrott rifle

Watch Wildlife

Once prepared for battle, the heights around Washington, DC, now nurture natural environments. Streams flow with water purified by forest soils. Plants and animals thrive close to the city. Listen carefully for migratory bird songs that mask the sounds of civilization.

Blackpoll warbler USFWS

Explore Nature

During the Civil War, the Union Army cut down trees to open views of routes into the city. Trees and shrubs later reclaimed the earthen fortifications. Now woodlands protect remnants of the forts and provide shelter for plants and animals. Take a hike to see how forts have returned to forests.

NPS Mountain laurel

19 Trail Extent PITTSBURGH

Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA llegheny R OHIO iver N WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles

r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN

North

e OHIOPYLE h Laurel Highlands Ferncliff Peninsula g o i Hiking Trail SEWARD Ohiopyle State Park h g Visitor Center u o Y Fort Necessity National Battlefield JOHNSTOWN Visitor Center W E S T Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office r V I R G I N I A e Casselman R iv iver R ROCKWOOD

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

P o to mac R i CUMBERLAND ver Canal Place Visitor Center

t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System

iver R omac Pot B ranch South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center

n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

WINCHESTER V I R G I N I A HAGERSTOWN Antietam National Battleﬁeld

S henan HARPERS FERRY doa h North R iver P o Brunswick t o Visitor Center Appalachian National Scenic Trail m

a BRUNSWICK c

PURCELLVILLE R

i FREDERICK v er Washington and e v Ball’s Bluff cy Ri r ca Old Dominion Trail Battleﬁeld no Mo Regional Park Monocacy LEESBURG National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park White’s Ford Regional Park

Potomac River Corridor USFWS Potomac Heritage Trail

Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Potomac Overlook Potomac Heritage Trail Regional Park Arlington Prince William Leesylvania House Forest Park State Park George Visitor Center Washington’s DISTRICT OF Gristmill COLUMBIA Mount Government Vernon FREDERICKSBURG Island Stafford Visitor Center M A R L A N D George Washington’s Ferry Farm Occoquan Bay National Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge

ANNAPOLIS

t Northern Neck o

Heritage Trail m

a Y Bicycling Route c

George Washington’s Gristmill B R

r P S H C

V I R G I N I A Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route

Prince William Forest Park NPS

0 10 Miles

20 Trail Extent PITTSBURGH

Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA llegheny R OHIO iver N WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN

North

n e OHIOPYLE h Laurel Highlands Ferncliff Peninsula g o i Hiking Trail SEWARD Ohiopyle State Park h g Visitor Center u o Y Fort Necessity National Battlefield JOHNSTOWN Visitor Center W E S T Laurel Ridge CONFLUENCE State Park Office r V I R G I N I A e Casselman R iv iver R ROCKWOOD

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

P o to mac R i CUMBERLAND ver Canal Place Visitor Center

P o t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System iver R omac Pot B ranch South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

WINCHESTER V I R G I N I A HAGERSTOWN Antietam National Battleﬁeld

S henan HARPERS FERRY doa h North R iver P o Brunswick t o Visitor Center Appalachian National Scenic Trail m a BRUNSWICK c Northern Virginia

PURCELLVILLE R

Potomac Heritage Trail

Riverbend Park V I R G I N I A Visitor Center Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

ANNAPOLIS Northern Virginia Highlights

P Explore more. Hike the Potomac River corridor from the Piedmont to the

o t

Northern Neck o tidal sections below Great Falls. Many park trails lead to the river, including

Heritage Trail m

a Y White’s Ford, Red Rock Wilderness Overlook, Ball’s Bluff, Riverbend Park, Bicycling Route c

R Great Falls, Pohick Bay, Veteran’s, Occoquan and Mason Neck wildlife refug- i

e es, Mason Neck and Leesylvania state parks, and Metz Wetlands Preserve.

r P Take a tour. Visit George Washington’s Gristmill in the Woodlawn Historic S District—a bus ride is included with admission to Mount Vernon Estate—then H enjoy a short walk to view a mansion built for Washington’s niece, a Frank C Lloyd Wright house, and a Quaker Meetinghouse.

Walk in the woods. Short trails in Prince William Forest Park, including

V I R G I N I A Southern Maryland Potomac Piedmont Forest Trail and Laurel Loop Trail, offer easygoing fun for small Heritage Trail Bicycling Route children. Older kids can enjoy the challenge of a day hike on the Farms to Forest Trail. Letterboxing courses provide another exciting activity. Follow the clues to learn more about the history of the park.

21 Meet a House with History

Walk through the doors of notable homes where American inspiration lives on through outstanding examples of historic preservation.

Arlington House

President George Washington’s adopted grandson, George Custis, started building this mansion in 1802. It was later passed on to his daughter, Mary, who married military leader Robert E. Lee in 1831.

NPS

Pope-Leighey House

This suburban home is actually a work of art designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1941, its design brings nature indoors using Tidewater red cypress, brick, and glass.

NPS

Quaker Meetinghouse

Established before the Civil War, the Woodlawn Quaker Meetinghouse remains an active place of worship. Its “Quaker Plain Style” architecture reflects the Religious Society of Friends’ values of simplicity and lack of adornment.

Woodlawn Manor House

George Washington gave Woodlawn as a wedding gift to Eleanore “Nelly” Custis Lewis, his wife’s granddaughter, and her husband. Nelly, one of America’s foremost needleworkers, spoke many languages. An annual exhibit honors her legacy.

NPS 22 Branch Out!

Seek some shade on warmer days along the Potomac in northern Virginia. Gaze up at the green forest crown and try to name the trees you see.

Blackgum

Smooth, waxy, dark green leaves on this wide- spreading tree offer relief from the hot summer sun. Small blue berries provide food for a variety of wildlife from birds to mammals.

River Birch

This fast-growing tree likes to keep its feet wet by growing along swamps, streams, and river banks. Silvery bark and branches up to 50 feet wide make it easy to spot.

American Hornbeam

Look for worm-like butterfly larvae growing on the graceful, drooping branches of this tree. The name “hornbeam” refers to its very hard, tough wood, but it is also called an “ironwood.”

PawPaw

Growing lower than most forest trees, the shrubby pawpaw lives along ditches and ravines. The name “pawpaw” comes from the woody plant’s plump, oval shaped fruits that look like tropical papayas.

23 Trail Extent PITTSBURGH

Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA llegheny R OHIO iver N WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles

r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN

North

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

P o to mac R i CUMBERLAND ver Canal Place Visitor Center

t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System

iver R omac Pot B ranch South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center

n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

R iver P o Brunswick SHENANDOAH t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c

i FREDERICK

Monocacy National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

0 10 Miles North

V I R G I N I A

M A R L A N D ANNAPOLIS

George Washington Birthplace NPS

George Washington Birthplace Southern Maryland Potomac National Monument Heritage Trail Bicycling Route Visitor Center Y COLONIAL BEACH B

P o t o m Westmoreland State Park a c P Saint Clements S Northern Neck Island State Park Heritage Trail Stratford Hall H R C Bicycling Route i v e

Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A (visitor centers and museums)

e v

i Rice’s Hotel/

Hughlett’s Tavern

n n a h a

p p a R

24 Trail Extent PITTSBURGH

Fort Pitt Museum PENNSLVANIA llegheny R OHIO iver N WASHINGTON DC MD DEL WEST McKEESPORT VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN

North

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

P o to mac R i CUMBERLAND ver Canal Place Visitor Center

P o t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System iver R omac Pot B ranch South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

R iver P o Brunswick SHENANDOAH t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c

i FREDERICK

e r

Monocacy National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

North Northern Neck of Virginia V I R G I N I A

Potomac Heritage Trail

FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

M A R L A N D ANNAPOLIS

George Washington Birthplace Southern Maryland Potomac National Monument Heritage Trail Bicycling Route Visitor Center Y COLONIAL BEACH B

P o t o m USFWS Westmoreland Cliffs rise above Fossil Beach on the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park. State Park a c P Saint Clements S Northern Neck Island State Park Heritage Trail Stratford Hall H C Northern Neck Highlights R Bicycling Route i v e

r Visit George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Learn how a

C lifelong connection to the land inspired the nation’s first president. Find out

Historic St. Mary’s City how colonial-era crops like tobacco grew and see livestock related to animals V I R G I N I A (visitor centers and museums) the Washingtons raised in the 1700s.

e Go biking. Journey through centuries of history and miles of memorable v

i Rice’s Hotel/

Hughlett’s Tavern landscapes on the Northern Neck Heritage Trail Bicycling Route. The 125-mile

c o network takes bicyclists by farms, fisheries, forests, museums, and more. n n a From Colonial Beach in the north to the Chesapeake Bay in the south, the h a p Northern Neck peninsula shows cyclists an amazing slice of American life. p a R

Reedville M Explore from ship to shore. Visit the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum to get a taste of hundreds of years of maritime history. Stories about the region’s watermen and local maritime heritage come to life with special activities and educational programs. An on-site fleet of boats includes the John Smith barge, a replica of the Chesapeake explorer’s 1608 “discovery barge.”

25 Go with the Flow!

Paddle the Potomac to discover the way water flows to the Chesapeake Bay.

ation erv Cl ns ou o d C Share Your Watershed Moments

A watershed is an area of land, like the Northern Neck of Virginia, that drains into a body of water. Everyone lives in a watershed. Watersheds of streams or creeks may be quite small. Others, like the Chesapeake Bay watershed (64,000 square miles), are very large.

Spread the word in your neighborhood. Don’t dump chemicals that could pollute water. Connect with others to pick up litter wherever you find it.

Join in on citizen science. Visit www.inaturalist.org online to record your plant and animal sightings with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Biodiversity project.

26 Who’s Wild About Water?

While exploring the Northern Neck, you may encounter wildlife in or near the water. Give wild animals some space and observe their behaviors from a distance.

American Eel

A smooth, snake-like fish between two and five feet long, this eel lives in fresh water throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Male eels swim to the salty waters of the Atlantic Ocean to spawn.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Sleek and gray with a beak-like snout and a blowhole on top of its head, this dolphin can grow to 12 feet long and weigh 300 to 400 pounds. Dolphins use sound to communicate and navigate.

Diamondback Terrapin Turtle

The terrapin is an aquatic reptile with webbed feet, strong claws, and diamond- shaped rings covering its shell. This turtle lives in and around the Chesapeake Bay’s tidal waters, rivers, and marshes.

USFWS

North American River Otter

This large, brown, furry mammal lives on both land and water throughout the Bay watershed. Great swimmers, otters stay underwater several minutes to catch fish and other prey. Their playful actions include rolling and tumbling on the shore.

USFWS 27 PITTSBURGH Fort Pitt Museum llegheny R iver

McKEESPORT

0 10 20 30 Kilometers

0 10 20 30 Miles

r e iv R Existing Heritage Trail

Planned Trail

Other Trails

UNIONTOWN Selected Amtrak Station MORGANTOWN

North

y n e Great Allegheny h g o Passage hi McHENRY g ide ou l Div Y enta ntin Deep n Co ter Creek as Lake

Garrett County Fairfax Trail Extensions Stone Nor P E N N S LVA N I A th Branch MARLAND FROSTBURG

P o to mac R i CUMBERLAND ver Canal Place Visitor Center

t o m Green Ridge a State Forest c

Trail System

iver R omac Pot B ranch South

Paw Paw River Bends HANCOCK r Hancock Visitor ive R Center

n po ca Ca Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ail Tr ora uscar T e u Cree k ag he nococ Co

W E S T Williamsport Visitor Center

R iv er rail chia ic T P ala n National S cen o Brunswick SHENANDOAH App t NATIONAL PAR o Visitor Center m iver BRUNSWICK nocacy R a Mo c

i FREDERICK

Monocacy National Battleﬁeld M A R L A N D

V I R G I N I A 0 10 Miles North

Potomac Heritage Trail

Thomas Stone National Historic Site © SO MD TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL Mount FREDERICKSBURG Vernon Stafford Piscataway Park Visitor Center Smallwood State Park (view of Mt. Vernon) NPS George Washington’s Piscataway Ferry Farm Douglas Point Park Special Recreation National Management Area Colonial Farm M A R L A N D

Thomas Stone National Historic Site ANNAPOLIS Caledon State Park

ekiah Y Swamp Southern Maryland Potomac George Washington Birthplace B National Monument Heritage Trail Bicycling Route Visitor Center COLONIAL BEACH P P o S t o Westmoreland m H a C State Park c

Saint Clements Northern Neck Island State Park Heritage Trail Stratford Hall R Bicycling Route i v e

Historic St. Mary’s City V I R G I N I A (visitor centers and museums)

e v

R Rice’s Hotel/ Point Lookout Hughlett’s Tavern State Park

n n a h a

p p a R

Reedville M

28 Southern Maryland

Southern Maryland Highlights

Play at Piscataway. Piscataway Park preserves the viewshed from Mount Vernon and provides habitat for bald eagles, beavers, deer, foxes, ospreys, and other wildlife. Discover wetlands, meadows, and woodlands when you fish from a pier, stroll on a boardwalk, or hike on a nature trail. Visit National Colonial Farm for a glimpse of 18th-century rare breeds of animals and crops.

Experience Historic St. Mary’s City. Spend at least half a day uncovering all that Maryland’s first capital has to offer. Learn how English colonists arrived in 1634 and go aboard the Maryland Dove to discover life on a ship before electricity and modern navigation. Visit the Woodland Indian Hamlet to learn how the native Yaocomaco helped the first English settlers survive.

Go to Point Lookout State Park. Camp, fish, boat, hike, and watch wildlife where an 1830s lighthouse overlooks Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac. Fort Lincoln and a Civil War museum take visitors back in time with stories of African American freedom seekers, wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war.

29 Practice Oystering

Watermen use hand tongs to harvest oysters. These tools have large metal baskets mounted on long wooden handles.

Try making your own small hand tong. You will need:

• A few small objects like pebbles or marbles • Two forks (plastic or metal) • Tape LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Pick up the forks and place them tines pointed down. Tape the tops of the forks together so that the tines make a basket. Try to pick up the objects. Now you are ready to go oystering!

ation erv Cl ns ou o Help Keep d C Oysters Healthy

Oysters are only as healthy as the water they live in. Help keep Chesapeake Bay healthy. Follow the lead of scientists and citizens that are working hard to help oysters.

Try not to use chemicals on your lawn. When it rains, chemicals can wash into the Bay and hurt oysters.

Recycle oyster shells. Old oyster shells make new homes for baby oysters.

Encourage friends and family to be good stewards of the Chesapeake Bay by recycling and not polluting.

Try oyster gardening! “Maryland Grows Oysters” and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation offer oyster gardening programs for homes on the water.

30 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Name the Boats

While exploring the Potomac Heritage Trail you may see different types of boats at historic sites and on the water. Rent a canoe so you can get on the water!

Skipjack

Skipjacks were designed for dredging large numbers of oysters on the Bay’s floor. Of the estimated 2,000 built from the late 1800s through the 1950s, fewer than 30 sail the Chesapeake Bay today.

Easy to recognize, the deadrise remains one of the most popular crabbing and oystering boats. Watermen also use this traditional work boat to catch fish and eels year-round.

Captains of these boats would buy a waterman’s harvest while still out on the water, then take the harvest to a nearby processing center. Buyboats have a rear wheelhouse and a long deck for cargo.

Canoes have been used to travel the Potomac River and its tributaries for thousands of years. These boats help get you close to nature on the water’s edge.

USMC 31 Find Out More

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network includes over 900 miles of existing and planned trails administered by federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations. Trail segments are managed by many agencies and organizations. For information about a specific section of the trail, contact the segment manager. Visit www.nps.gov/pohe for details.

Accessibility

Partners that manage the network of experiences along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail are encouraged to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all.

Safety

Your safety is your responsibility. Watch children near streams banks, cliffs, and busy roads. Be aware of poisonous snakes and spiders. Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy and poison oak. Observe regulations and wear a life jacket (personal flotation device or PFD) when near and on the water.

Get Involved

Between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands, many volunteers, agencies, organizations, and businesses maintain the Potomac Heritage Trail network. Work ranges from conservation efforts to improving recreational opportunities. Visit www.nps.gov/pohe/getinvolved/partners.

Contact

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office National Park Service PO Box B Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 ww.nps.gov/pohe

Front cover: Mockley Point, Piscataway Park NPS / MONICA LARCOM

(center left) Fossil Beach, Westmoreland State Park USFWS, (center right) Paw Paw Tunnel NPS,

NPS (bottom) Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park ✩GPO:2018—540-484 New in 2018 Printed on recycled paper.

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Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia Washington, DC