Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Things To Do Near Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Consider starting your adventure in the C&O Canal Towpath section, where you can explore Civil War sites and go hiking, biking, and camping. Then, continue to the Great Allegheny Passage, where the biking is particularly fantastic along the Cumberland Coast. Next, you can explore the Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia and take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Then, travel to southern Maryland and the Northern Neck of Virginia, which are great places to go bird-watching. Complete your adventure by following the trail through Washington, D.C., and western Maryland. 

Hiking Trails

• Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail 

  This 70-mile trail begins at Ohiopyle State Park and runs through other state parks, conservation areas, and private property before ending at Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. Most of this trail passes through Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests. It runs parallel to the Youghiogheny and Conemaugh rivers for much of its course. 

  Location

  Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania 15470 

  Length

  70 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Great Allegheny Passage 

  The Great Allegheny Passage starts at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park at Canal Street and Harrison Street in Cumberland, Maryland, and ends at Point State Park near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Several significant historical sites, Fallingwater, and many parks are along this path. It also crosses the Continental Divide and the Mason-Dixon Line. 

  Location

  Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, 205 West Potomac Street, Williamsport, Maryland 21795

  Length

  105 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Mount Vernon Trail 

  This trail starts at the parking lot at mile 17 of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It runs through open meadows until it reaches the west side of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Then, it runs through a forest until it comes to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. You can often see planes taking off and landing along the first half of this trail, and bird-watching can be exceptional along the second half. This 17-mile trail runs through Belle Haven Park, Dyke Marsh, and Fort Hunt Park. 

  Location

  Mile 17 George Washington Memorial Parkway, Alexandria, Virginia 20598 

  Length

  17 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Fallingwater

  Fallingwater, which Frank Lloyd Wright designed, has been open for public tours since 1964. Take a tour of this home and learn more about the building and Wright’s life. Children often enjoy the special art activities that are held here. 

  Location

  1491 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, Pennsylvania 15464 

• Frederick Douglas National Historic Site 

  Learn more about Frederick Douglas’ life as an escaped slave who became friends with presidents by visiting the Frederick Douglas National Historic Site. Take a tour of the home that is still very similar to the way Douglas left it when he died in 1895. Bring along your camera as the images of Washington D.C. from this location are breathtaking. Children love playing on the large grassy hill. 

  Location

  1411 West Street Southeast, Washington, D.C. 20020 

Museums

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

  Thisfamous museum has a number of exhibits. You can see preserved mammals, ancient Egyptian artifacts, skeletons, and much more. Entry into the museum is free.

  Location

  1000 Madison Drive, Washington, D.C. 20560

• Carnegie Museum of Art

  The Carnegie Museum of Art has everything from sculptural pieces to paintings. In addition to all of the great art on display, the museum also has a café where you take a break from admiring your favorite pieces and eat. Admission is affordable, and children under 2 are free.

  Location

  4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

• Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park 

  See the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River by stopping at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park. Climb to the top of the lighthouse to see the views. After climbing down again, view the collection of old wooden boats. This site is also a great place to take a stroll on the beach and go for a kayaking adventure. 

  Location

  44720 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point, Maryland 20674 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• W.S. Jenks & Son 

  Find camping, hardware, RV equipment, and other supplies at W.S. Jenks & Son. This family-owned hardware store has been serving customers since 1866. 

  Location

  910 Bladensburg Road Northeast, Washington, DC 20002 

• The Occidental 

  If you want an informal dinner, dine downstairs at The Occidental, or head upstairs for a more formal dining experience. This restaurant opened in 1906, and it has served presidents, influential leaders, and other important figures. The Caesar salad and the lobster bisque here are delicious. 

  Location

  1475 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20004 

• Thames Street Oyster House

  As its name suggests, you'll be able to get great oysters at this restaurant. You can also get lobster rolls, calamari, clams, fish and chips, and more. If you're not a fan of seafood, there are other choices like burgers and steak.

  Location

  1728 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231

How To Get To Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

You can access the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail at many different locations along its route. In Washington, D.C., it is easy to reach the trail headquarters from the National Mall by heading south on 14th Street Southwest. Turn right on Independence Avenue Southwest and left on Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest. Make a slight left onto Maine Avenue Southwest and keep to the right to get on Ohio Drive Southwest. Continue straight to get on East Basin Drive Southwest. Turn left back onto Ohio Drive Southwest, and the headquarters will be on your right. 

Address

Trail Headquarters, 1100 Ohio Drive Southwest, Washington, DC 20242

Fee: Entry fee $0

Once completed, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will cover 710 miles and go through multiple states along its course. Many trails are already available for hiking, and more will be completed in the future. Until that time, this is not a through route, so bring your RV to make moving between trails comfortable. You will enjoy having a relaxing place to rest between hikes, bike rides, and paddling adventures.