These local, historic sites tell the story of the Chesapeake Campaign, culminating in the writing of our National Anthem. In addition to their historic significance, many of the sites along the trail are fantastic places to go for a walk, explore the outdoors, and access local waterways.
Photo: NPS/ Tim Ervin
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a collection of sites impacted by the War of 1812.
- LocationBaltimore, MD
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now67°F Overcast
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- African American Heritage
- American Revolutionary War
- Animals
- Artillery
- Arts
- Battlefields
- Birds
- Birthplace
63 more topics
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Churches
- Civil Rights
- Climate Change
- Coastal Defenses
- Coasts, Islands and Atolls
- Colonial/European Contact Conflicts
- Commerce
- Conservation Movement
- Enslavement
- Farming and Agriculture
- Fish
- Forts
- French and Indian War
- Headwaters
- Hospital
- Immigration
- Incarceration
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Indigenous and Native Warrior
- Infantry and Militia
- Jails and Prisons
- Lighthouses
- Maritime
- Maritime - Military
- Marshes
- Medicine
- Migrations
- Military
- Monuments and Memorials
- Music
- Native American Heritage
- Oceans
- Painting
- Photography
- Piracy and Privateering
- Plantations
- Presidents
- Religion and Spirituality
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Scenic Views
- Schools and Education
- Ships and Shipwrecks
- Social Movements
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Trade
- Trails
- Transportation
- Tribal Conflicts
- Unique Species
- Urban America
- US Army
- US Navy
- War of 1812
- Wars and Conflicts
- Water Trails
- Watersheds
- Westward Expansion
- Wetlands
- Wilderness
- Women's History
- World War I
- World War II
Alerts (1)
InformationWe cannot mail out at this time We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger… Read more
We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger badges may be mailed once per person per calendar year after completion. We do not mail completed books back.
Things to Do
18 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Audio Tour of a Patuxent Town
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…
Learn more about Audio Tour of a Patuxent Town on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Baltimore Star-Spangled Tour
Fee applies
Take tour around the City of Baltimore following the Star-Spangled National Historic Trail!
Learn more about Baltimore Star-Spangled Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Become a Fort McHenry Jr. Ranger
Information on how to become a Fort McHenry Junior Ranger!
Learn more about Become a Fort McHenry Jr. Ranger on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Become a Junior Ranger for the Star-Spangled Banner Trail
Kids of all ages can participate in the Star-Spangled Banner Trail Junior Ranger program. The Junior Ranger booklet is full of activities that can be completed to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
Learn more about Become a Junior Ranger for the Star-Spangled Banner Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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
Learn more about Bicycle between Point Lookout and Leonardtown, MD on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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…
Learn more about Explore by bicycle from Westmoreland State Park on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Go Birding at Patuxent River Park
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…
Learn more about Go Birding at Patuxent River Park on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Hampton Audio Tour
Gain access to Hampton's interactive app to take a self-guided tour of the plantation!
Learn more about Hampton Audio Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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!
Learn more about Multi-Park Loop on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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…
Learn more about Paddle Leonardtown to Colton's Point on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Paddle the Anacostia Water Trail
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…
Learn more about Paddle the Anacostia Water Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Paddle the Baltimore Blueway
Choose from 30 miles of trails in the Inner Harbor, Outer Harbor, Middle Branch, and Patapsco River. Imagine yourself gliding alongside historic ships, seeing the skyline from the water, and paddling…
Learn more about Paddle the Baltimore Blueway on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Paddle the Patuxent River Water Trail
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…
Learn more about Paddle the Patuxent River Water Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
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…
Learn more about Paddle the Potomac River on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Paddle the Sassafras River Water Trail
The Sassafras River Water Trail is a 22 mile-long route located in the Upper region of the Chesapeake Bay. The river trail offers several options for paddle trips in beautiful landscapes that are…
Learn more about Paddle the Sassafras River Water Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail
The Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail is a unique journey through American history and across the landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay. It follows the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and…
Learn more about Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 16 of 18
Load moreAll 40 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Wildlife Watching
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Biking
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Picnicking
Show 28 more activities
- Arts and Culture
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Canoeing
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Compass and GPS
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Dining
- Fly Fishing
- Food
- Freshwater Fishing
- Front-Country Hiking
- Geocaching
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Kayaking
- Live Music
- Living History
- Mountain Biking
- Park Film
- Reenactments
- Road Biking
- RV Camping
- Sailing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Shopping
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Hours details
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Star-Spangled Banner National Historic TrailOpen 24 hours, daily
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a route that passes through communities, urban areas, and public lands. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operations and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
2400 East Fort AvenueBaltimore, MD 21230
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
67°F
Overcast · feels like 67°
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Today
75° 59°
Sunny70% rain -
Tomorrow
79° 62°
Sunny5% rain
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Wednesday
85° 68°
Sunny36% rain
Updated 9 min ago
What to expect by season
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is made up of parks, museums, outdoor trails, and waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Weather can effect the hours of operation and access points to many sites along the trail. Exercise caution when exploring the trail outdoors. Dress appropriately for seasonal conditions such as heat, snow, and ice. Parks, museums, and visitor centers may be impacted by weather conditions year round. Please call ahead to your planned trail stop for updates on
Photos
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British forces set fire to the original home of the U.S. president on August 26, 1814. — NPS/ T. Adams -
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Getting There
Baltimore, MD 21230
The Trail's headquarters is at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The park is three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and just off I-95.
Full directions
Follow the brown Fort McHenry directional signs along all major routes to the park. From I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow Fort McHenry signs. To visit other trail locations, download a trail map.
Mailing address: 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230
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