Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Become an Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger

Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger Program

• 30-90 Minutes
• Year-round

• Junior Ranger Program

Bicycle between Point Lookout and Leonardtown, MD

Bicycling on a section of the Southern Maryland PHT On-Road Bicycling Route between Point Lookout and Leondardtown, MD

• 4-10 Hours
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Saint Mary's County, Maryland

• Road Biking

Bicycle Colton's Point to Port Tobacco

For those seeking to explore Southern Maryland or to travel the extent of the Potomac Heritage NST corridor, bicycling and paddling, combined with some short hikes, are the best self-powered ways to…

• Spring, Summer, Fall

• Road Biking

Bicycle Confluence to Big Savage Mountain

To reach Big Savage Mountain on the Eastern Continental Divide loop, bicycle 46 miles from Confluence (GAP Mile 61.3) to Frostburg (GAP Mile 15.5) on the Great Allegheny Passage, then 8+ miles…

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Confluence trailhead along the Great Allegheny Passage

• Biking

Bicycle Port Tobacco to Smallwood State Park

Port Tobacco Historic District and Smallwood State Park provide a contrast in landscape diversity, and travel between them is a fine bicycle ride. This route is part of the Adventure Cycling…

• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Port Tobacco Historic District - Smallwood State Park

• Road Biking

Bicycle Smallwood State Park to Oxon Cove Park

The on-road bicycling route between Smallwood State Park and Oxon Cove Park makes connections with parks and historic sites.

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall

• Road Biking

Bicycle the Great Allegheny Passage

The 70-mile section of the GAP between Cumberland, Maryland, and Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, is popular for bicycling.

• 1-3 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Great Allegheny Passage

• Biking

Bicycle the Northern Neck Heritage Trail

Bicycling between George Washington Birthplace National Monument/Westmoreland State Park and Reedville, Virginia.

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Northern Neck of Virginia

• Road Biking

Bicycle to a marina from Reedville, Virginia

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.

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Reedville, Virginia, and vicinity

• Road Biking

Bike the C&O Canal Towpath

By bicycle or on foot, try a short day trip or travel the entire 184.5-mile length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.

• 3-5 Days
• Year-round
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP

• Biking

Bike the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William Forest Park

Fee applies

Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret and bike along the park’s Scenic Drive.

• 1-3 Hours
• Year-round
• Pine Grove Picnic Area Parking Lot

• Biking

Birding at Fort Washington Park

Come for the history, stay for the birds. Fort Washington Park has a diverse array of bird species spread among its distinct ecosystems.

• Year-round

• Birdwatching

Boating in Rock Creek Park

Reservation required Fee applies

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

• Boating

Explore by bicycle from Westmoreland State Park

Reservation required

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…

• 1 Day
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Westmoreland State Park

• Road Biking

Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center

Visit the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin for information about the Canal and the surrounding area, sites including an aqueduct, rail lift-bridge, lockhouse, and operable locks.

• 20-60 Minutes
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Williamsport Visitor Center, 205 West Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD

• Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Explore the Civil War Defenses of Washington Hiker-Biker Trail

Hike or bike the 7-mile trail from Fort Stanton to Fort Mahan and take in scenery that ranges from urban greenspaces to forest ecosystems, all while recreating through a historic landscape.

• 1-5 Hours
• Year-round
• Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail

• Hiking

Explore the Georgetown Waterfront

Explore the Georgetown Waterfront and imagine the changes the space has gone through.

• 60-160 Minutes
• Year-round
• Georgetown Waterfront

• Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Explore the tidal Potomac from the Northern Neck by boat

Reservation required Fee applies

Through the watermen’s heritage tour program, visitors to Tidewater Virginia, including the Northern Neck, can experience the time-honored history and traditions of working watermen through a…

• 2-8 Hours
• Year-round
• Northern Neck of Virginia

• Boat Tour

Explore the Trails at Meadowood

Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area.

• 1-4 Hours
• Year-round
• Lower Potomac Field Station - Meadowood Special Recreation Management…

• Hiking

Explore the Trolley Barn at Cushwa Basin

The trolley barn is located across the parking lot from the Cushwa Building. In 1896, the first trolley line in Washington County, Maryland was built running from Williamsport to Hagerstown. The…

• 15-60 Minutes
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Williamsport, MD

• Museum Exhibits

Explore Washington’s Gristmill and Distillery Buildings

Fee applies

Explore George Washington’s enterprising Distillery and Gristmill ® on the extended Mount Vernon Estate. Washington’s ambitious and profitable Gristmill used groundbreaking technology in the 1790’s…

• 40-120 Minutes
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• 5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy Alexandria, VA 22309

• Guided Tours

George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Estates

Fee applies

Explore George Washington’s iconic Mount Vernon Mansion and Estate.

• 1-3 Days
• Year-round
• 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121

• Guided Tours

Hike Algonkian Regional Park to Difficult Run

This hike is mostly wooded; some parts are rocky and some can be rocky. But you will see, in some places, exceptional displays of bluebells in spring and colors in autumn. Management partners include…

• 3-6 Hours
• Year-round
• Algonkian Regional Park - Difficult Run VA

• Front-Country Hiking

Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel

Walk through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, a significant engineering feature along Mile 155 of the C&O Canal towpath.

• 1-2 Minutes
• Paw Paw Campground and Picnic Area Parking Lot

• Hiking

Hike between Scott's Run Nature Preserve and Theodore Roosevelt Island

The ten-mile Potomac Heritage Trail within George Washington Memorial Parkway is a popular path, connecting at some places to neighborhood trails, Turkey Run picnic area and Chain Bridge. Here…

• 4-7 Hours
• Year-round
• trailheads for Scott's Run Nature Preserve and for Potomac Heritage…

• Front-Country Hiking

Hike Kephart Bridge Landing to Bles Park

The trailheads might at first seem difficult to find, but this segment of the PHT is one of the most accessible and developed in the corridor between White's Ferry and Scott's Run Nature Preserve…

• 1-2 Hours
• Year-round
• Kephart Bridge Landing - Bles Park, Loudoun County, VA

• Front-Country Hiking

Hike the Big Savage Mountain Trail

The Big Savage Mountain Trail, managed by Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, is an 18-mile footpath providing outstanding views of the high points in western Maryland. Best traversed north to…

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Northern Trailhead for the Big Savage Mountain Trail near Saint John…

• Backcountry Hiking

Hike the Monroe Run Trail and Meadow Mountain Trail

Beginning at the western end of the Savage River Reservoir, this 9-mile hike ascends approximately 1900 feet, includes numerous creek crossings, and ends at a viewpoint above State Route 495 on the…

• 4-7 Hours
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Eastern Monroe Run Trailhead

• Backcountry Hiking

Hike the Northern Loop in Rock Creek Park

Enjoy an easy 5-mile round trip hike around the northern section of Rock Creek Park.

• 120 Minutes
• Year-round
• Access to trails

• Hiking

Hiking at Oxon Cove Park

Hiking at Oxon Cove Park

• 30-120 Minutes
• Year-round

• Hiking

Hiking at Scott's Run Nature Preserve

Hike 0.7 miles to a view of a waterfall and/or 2 miles to a scenic overlook of the Potomac River.

• 45-120 Minutes
• Year-round
• Scott's Run Nature Preserve

• Hiking

Laurel Highlands Day Hike to Youghiogheny Overlook

Take the 2.5-mile ascent to a large, flat topped rock formation overlooking the Youghiogheny River valley. Get a view of the Sugarloaf Knob and the gorges cutting into the ridge from side streams.

• 4 Hours
• Ohiopyle State Park

• Backcountry Hiking

Multi-Park Loop

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!

• Year-round
• Thompson Boat House

• Hiking

Paddle Friendsville MD to Confluence PA

Launch at Friendsville, Maryland, and paddle 13.5 miles to Confluence, Pennsylvania, taking out above the dam. Best paddled with a touring kayak, you initially navigate some small rapids on the…

• 4-6 Hours
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Town of Friendsville Park, MD

• Kayaking

Paddle Hoyes Run to Sang Run on the Upper Youghiogheny

A mostly easy paddle--kayak, canoe or raft--on upper Youghiogheny River and important to check water levels. Outfitters serve this area, offering shuttles and boats. Part of the Eastern Continental…

• 2-4 Hours
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Hoyes Run launch area on the Upper Youghiogheny River

• Kayaking

Paddle Leonardtown to Colton's Point

Paddle approximately 12 miles from Leonardtown to Colton's Point via kayak or canoe, stopping at Newtowne Neck State Park. The trip is mostly on Breton Bay, but joins the Potomac and the mouth of St…

• 1-2 Days
• Spring, Summer, Fall

• Paddling

Paddle Savage River Reservoir

This is a quiet, flat water paddle, approximately 2.6 miles end-to-end. To understand this trip in the context of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop, take note of the southern terminus of the Big…

• 1-2 Hours
• Spring, Summer, Fall

• Paddling

Paddle the Middle Potomac

Paddle from Potoma (sic) Wayside, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, or another launch site and take out at Algonkian Regional Park or Riverbend Park (both Virginia side). Camp…

• 2-4 Days
• Year-round
• Potomac River Harpers Ferry-Riverbend Park

• Paddling

Paddle the Potomac River

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…

• Paddling

Skiing and Snowshoeing the C&O Canal Towpath

During the winter months, the C&O Canal may accumulate enough snow for winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can step out onto the towpath and enjoy a short or multi-mile journey…

• Winter
• C&O Canal National Historical Park

• Snowshoeing

Skiing and Snowshoeing the Great Allegheny Passage

Although it is not groomed for cross-country skiing, the Great Allegheny Passage offers a beautiful winter landscape for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Snow is more likely to accumulate on the…

• Winter
• Meyersdale Historical Society

• Snowshoeing

Soak Up Spectacular Views at the Great Falls Overlooks

Fee applies

Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital.

• 1-2 Hours
• Year-round
• Great Falls Park

• Hiking

Take a Boat Ride on the Canal

Today, visitors can enjoy life on the canal during a free replica canal launch boat program at Williamsport. During the late 19th and early 20th century, 30-foot battery and steam powered launch…

• 1-1 Hours
• Summer
• Williamsport, MD

• Boat Tour

Take a walk or bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail winds alongside the Potomac River offering uninterrupted views of Washington, D.C.'s skyline. A run, walk, or cycle along the trail leads to all of the same sites that can be…

• 1-4 Hours
• Year-round
• Mount Vernon Trail

• Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Take a walk through time to the bank of the Potomac River

Take a two-mile walk from the parking area to access the shoreline of the Potomac River to relax along the river, search for shark teeth, or enjoy a picnic at the overlook.

• 1-3 Hours
• Year-round
• Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area

• Hiking

Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail

Fee applies

There are many places to access the Potomac Heritage Trail, including many connector trails from county parks.

• 1-8 Hours
• Year-round
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

• Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Volunteer to complete the PHT in Northern Virginia

Volunteers are essential to complete the PHT network in Northern Virginia.

• Year-round
• Northern Virginia

• Front-Country Hiking

Watch an Artillery Demonstration at Fort Washington Park

Ever wonder how Civil War cannons were fired? Visit the park the first Sunday of every month from May to November to watch the Fort Washington Guard demonstrate and explain the procedures used during…

• 15-90 Minutes
• Spring, Summer, Fall
• Fort Washington Park

• Cultural Demonstrations