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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Harpers Ferry, WV U.S.A.

National Park Service
P.O. Box B
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
U.S.A.
202-619-7222 NPS Capital Region
Open Year-Round No Entry Fee Charged
State Park Information

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a partnership of locally-managed trails in a 425-mile corridor between the mouth of the Potomac River at the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Highlands in western Pennsylvania.

The trail corridor offers a variety of recreational and educational opportunities. Sixteen trails are currently recognized as segments of the National Scenic Trail:

- The 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, managed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (301-739-4200)

- The 17-mile Mount Vernon Trail and the 10-mile Potomac Heritage Trail within the George Washington Memorial Parkway (703-289-2500)

- The 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, managed by Laurel Ridge State Park, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (724-455-3744)

- The 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, between Cumberland, Md., and Pittsburgh, Penn., is managed by the Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of local and state organizations and agencies (888-ATA-BIKE)

- The 20-mile Prince Georges County Potomac Heritage Trail On-Road Bicycling Route (301-952-3661)

- A 4.5-mile trail in Prince William Forest Park (703-221-7181)

- About 7.7 miles of trails in northern Fairfax County in Riverbend Park (703-759-9018), Great Falls Park (703-285-2965), and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

- A 15-mile linear park system in eastern Loudoun County, Va. (703-777-0343)

- The 23-mile Alexandria Heritage Trail in Alexandria, Va., (800-388-9119)

- And the two-mile Government Island Trail, Aquia Creek Water Trail, and planned five-mile Historic Falmouth-Ferry Farm Trail in Stafford County, Va. (800-325-2059).

Outdoor Activities
Activities Column 1 Activities Column 2 Activities Column 3
Camping available Freshwater Fishing available Visitor Center available
Hiking available Saltwater Fishing available Children's Activities available
Backpacking available Guided Tours available
Rock Climbing available Scenic Drives available
Horse Trails available Big Game Hunting not available Picnicking available
Wheelchair Trails/Ramps available Upland Hunting available Off-Road Vehicles not available
Waterfowl Hunting available Lodging Nearby available
Restaurants Nearby available
Canoeing available
Kayaking available Cross-Country Skiing available
Rafting available Downhill Skiing available Bird-Watching available
Beaches available Snowboarding available Nature Viewing available
Boat Launch available Snowshoeing available Historic Sites available
Snowmobiling not available
Ice Skating available
Mountain Biking available Winter Camping available
Touring available

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