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!
What you’ll hear
49 places to explore in this park.
- Annapolis Maritime Museum
- Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
- Belle Isle State Park
- Caledon State Park
- Calvert Cliffs State Park
- Calvert Marine Museum
- Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
- Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
- Chickahominy Riverfront Park
- Chippokes State Park
- Columbia Crossing River Trails Center
- Deltaville Maritime Museum
- First Landing State Park
- Fort Washington Park
- Great Falls Overlook
- Havre de Grace Visitor Center
- Henricus Historical Park
- Historic Sotterley
- Historic St. Mary's City
- Holly Point Nature Park
- James City County Marina
- James River Association
- Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
- Ker Place
- Kiptopeke State Park
- Leesylvania State Park
- Lower Susquehanna River Water Trail
- Machicomoco State Park
- Mason Neck State Park
- Mathews County Visitor & Information Center
- Nanticoke River Discovery Center
- Northern Neck National Heritage Area
- Onancock Marina & Tangier Ferry
- Piscataway Park
- Point Lookout State Park
- Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Reedville Fishermen's Museum
- Sandy Point State Park
- Seaford Museum
- Smallwood State Park
- Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
- Susquehanna National Heritage Area
- Tangier Island
- Tangier Island History Museum
- The Thomas Stone House
- Urbanna Marina
- Westmoreland State Park
- York River State Park
- Zimmerman Center for Heritage
Hear it on Trailtold
Download the app and let Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail narrate itself as you walk — GPS-triggered audio, hands-free.
Get the app