Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

A heron at sunset in the waters and marshes of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Many people visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to spot birds, like this heron, that rely the natural resources of the landscape.

At Jamestown Settlement, trail visitors can view yihakan, the houses seen pictured here, which are constructed from saplings and reed mats.

Many baldcypress trees standing in the Chickahominy River

Some scenes - like this one of cypress trees in the Chickahominy River - look similar to what Captain John Smith would have seen 400 years ago.

A lone kayaker explores the Patuxent River

The upper reaches of the Patuxent River at Jug Bay give visitors a view of the Chesapeake region that feels similar to a time before European settlement.

A view of the Susquehanna River and the boat dock at Zimmerman Center for Heritage

Visitors can use the dock at Zimmerman Center for Heritage to launch canoes and kayaks onto the beautiful Susquehanna River in south central Pennsylvania.

Photos: National Park Service

About Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

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!

Quick Facts

State Virginia

Designation National Historic Trail

State Code VA,MD,DE,DC,PA,NY

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.…

Location & Map

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is located in Virginia.

Get Directions

Operating Hours

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.

Wednesday All Day

Monday All Day

Thursday All Day

Sunday All Day

Tuesday All Day

Friday All Day

Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Cultural Demonstrations Boating Sailing Boat Tour Camping Canoe or Kayak Camping Car or Front Country Camping RV Camping Compass and GPS Geocaching Fishing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Boat Tour Hands-On Arts and Crafts Hiking Front-Country Hiking Paddling Canoeing Canoe or Kayak Camping Kayaking Stand Up Paddleboarding Whitewater Rafting Junior Ranger Program Tubing River Tubing Swimming Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits

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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA, 23081

Email cajo_info@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Archeology Arts Colonization and Settlement Commerce Trade Dams Explorers and Expeditions Farming and Agriculture Maritime Native American Heritage Religion and Spirituality Science, Technology and Innovation Transportation Bridges Roads, Routes and Highways Wars and Conflicts Colonial/European Contact Conflicts Animals Birds Fish Climate Change Coasts, Islands and Atolls Estuaries and Mangroves Forests and Woodlands Deciduous Forests Geology River and Riparian Scenic Views Trails Water Trails Unique Species Rare Endangered Watersheds Headwaters Waterfalls Wetlands Marshes Swamps

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…

Multi-Park Loop

Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on…

Paddle the Baltimore Blueway

Choose from 30 miles of trails in the Inner Harbor, Outer Harbor, Middle Branch, and Patapsco River. Imagine yourself gliding…

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…

With Reedville as a base, ride the 22-mile Reedville -- Vir-Mar Beach -- Smith Point Loop and access marinas and…

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

On-road bicycling for approxim, with stops at Historic Saint Mary's City, Piney Point and other points of interest.

Explore the tidal Potomac from the Northern Neck by boat

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

Visit http://watermentours.com/, decide on a destination and a type of tour, and contact participating captains directly.

Visitor Centers

Historic Jamestowne - Trail Headquarters

The trail shares a headquarters with Historic Jamestowne, an historic site and visitors center managed by Colonial National Historical Park. Visitors to this coastal Virginia…

Hours: 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.

Zimmerman Center for Heritage

The Zimmerman Center for Heritage sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River and is part of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. The Susquehanna River…

Hours: 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.