Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay is a park service site run by the National Park Service in 7 states.

In the park service’s words

Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and through Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service strives to connect people to the opportunities and adventures throughout the watershed. Inspiring stewardship across this vast region supports recreation, business, tourism, learning, and a thriving natural resource for all to enjoy.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind (120 Minutes): Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind offers two-hour public sailing experiences aboard classic schooners on the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors help raise sails, steer, and learn about maritime history, wildlife, water quality, and regional heritage through interactive storytelling.
• Rappahannock Adventures (2 to 7 Hours): Rappahannock Adventures offers guided paddling, fishing, birding, hiking, and biking experiences on Virginia's Middle Peninsula. Visitors explore the Rappahannock River and surrounding landscapes while learning about Indigenous history, wildlife, watershed ecology, conservation, and the cultural heritage of the Chesape
• Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows (1 to 8 Hours): The Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows Bikepacking Route is a 300-mile cycling experience that connects eight memorials honoring displaced Blue Ridge communities. Riders explore scenic mountain roads, rural landscapes, and the headwaters of major Chesapeake Bay tributaries while discovering stories of settlement, conservation,
• Historic 1935 Lady Patty Sailing Charter (2 to 7 Hours): St. Michaels Sailing Charters offers authentic sailing experiences aboard the Historic 1935 Lady Patty Sailing Charter, a restored 1935 wooden ketch departing from St. Michaels, Maryland. Visitors explore the Miles River and Chesapeake Bay while learning about maritime heritage, local history, wildlife, and the importa
• Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters (2 to 7 Hours): Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters offers small group sailing experiences from St. Michaels, Maryland. Guests explore the Miles River and Chesapeake Bay while learning about maritime history, estuarine ecology, wildlife, and the importance of conserving the Bay through personalized interpretation aboard a wind-powered
• Chronic Sailing (3 to 8 Hours): Step aboard a sailboat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Chronic Sailing offers hands-on sailing experiences from Annapolis that showcase scenic coves, lighthouses, and maritime history. Guests can learn sailing skills, paddle quiet waters, and discover the Bay’s natural and cultural treasures from the unique vantage poin
• 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.
• Bay Venture Outfitters, North East, MD (60 to 240 Minutes): Bay Venture Outfitters in North East, Maryland offers kayak and paddleboard access to the North East River and nearby wetlands. Visitors explore upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries through guided and self-guided tours that emphasize watershed conservation, wildlife observation, and regional history.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. All Park Hours above refers to the core hours the Chesapeake Bay Program Office is open. This program office manages the National Park Service's responsibilities under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and the Chesapeake Gateways & Water Trails Network. The office core hours are from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. The office is closed on federal holidays. Quite frequently, the office is open for business at least one hour earlier and one hour later than core hours.

Lodging

• Essex Inn at Tappahannock: Stay in history at the Essex Inn, a restored Greek Revival home in Tappahannock and feature of the Historical Walking Tour of Tappahannock. This Chesapeake Gateways Network Site offers overnight lodging, guided tours, and nearby dining in Virginia’s oldest tavern. Discover stories of maritime trade,

Getting there

The Chesapeake Bay office is located off of Aris T. Allen Blvd in Annapolis, Maryland. Traveling east on Route 50, take the exit towards Riva road and 665, Aris T. Allen Blvd. Continue on 665 to Forest drive. Our office is on the left through the first light, across from the Safeway.

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.

Weather

Annapolis, Maryland has a warm humid temperate climate with hot summers and no dry season. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 29°F to 86°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 91°F. The warm season lasts from May 30 to September 18 with an average daily high temperature above 77°F. The cold season lasts from November 29 to March 4 with an average daily high temperature below 50°F.

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: Chesapeake Bay (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.