Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is a national historic trail run by the National Park Service in 6 states.

In the park service’s words

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!

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• 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 rich in history.
• 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!
• Boating in Rock Creek Park: Rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards from one of two boat houses along the Potomac River.
• Paddle the Baltimore Blueway (1 to 6 Hours): 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 around Fort McHenry. Take a selfie with Mr. Trash Wheel or immerse yourself in nature surrounded by wetlands and wildlif
• Bicycle to a marina from Reedville, Virginia (1 to 2 Days): 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.
• Bicycle between Point Lookout and Leonardtown, MD (4 to 10 Hours): Bicycling on a section of the Southern Maryland PHT On-Road Bicycling Route between Point Lookout and Leondardtown, MD
• Explore the tidal Potomac from the Northern Neck by boat (2 to 8 Hours): 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 customized tour.
• Explore by bicycle from Westmoreland State Park (1 Day): 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

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. 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.

Getting there

The water trail is 3,000 miles long and there are countless places to explore it. The trail's headquarters and main visitor center is at Colonial National Historical Park - Historic Jamestowne. For an internet map search or GPS, use the following: Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Zimmerman Center for Heritage: Mon Closed; Tue 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Open Year-Round Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on major holidays) The grounds of the Zimmerman Center are open every day from dawn to dusk. House and galleries are open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Guided tours of the historic house are offered throughout the day on the weekends. The Susquehanna Heritage office at the Zimmerman Center is open for business customers Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Historic Jamestowne - Trail Headquarters: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat Closes at 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Historic Jamestowne is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The Entrance Gate is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and no entrance is permitted outside of that time. The office is closed on federal holidays.

Weather

During the summer season, visitors should dress in light, comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing, and use sunscreen. High temperatures and humidity create a higher risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. We strongly recommended you carry a bottle of water with you and wear a life jacket at all times. During the winter, be aware that submersion in freezing cold water can be deadly. If you are going out, bring safety gear such as a wetsuit and practice techniques to avoid tipping over.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 105 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.