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Overview

The Chesapeake Bay Office helps connect people to the natural and cultural heritage of the Chesapeake region through the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
 
Captain John Smith

Captain John Smith's Chesapeake Voyages

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is America's first water-based national historic trail. Smith's historic voyages on the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries in 1607-1609 are the framework for the trail. Hikers, bikers, and road trippers can also experience the trail through numerous land-based sites. Designated by Congress in December 2006, the trail stretches approximately 3,000 miles up and down the Bay and along tributaries in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Thanks to the Captain and crew's journal keeping, map making, and thorough exploration of the Chesapeake, we know a lot today about the natural environment of the Chesapeake four hundred years ago and the many American Indian towns and societies that populated the region. Visit the trail's website to get started with your own Captain John Smith adventures!
 
Kayaks at Westmoreland State Park

Chesapeake Trips and Tips

Explore the Chesapeake region through visits to outstanding parks, museums, historic communities, trails and more! Brought to you by the Friends of Chesapeake Gateways, Chesapeake Trips and Tips is your guide to what's going on this weekend across the Bay. Learn more and sign up here.
 
 

Write to

410 Severn Avenue
Suite 314
Annapolis, Maryland 21403

Phone

Visitor Information
(410) 260-2470

Climate

The weather in the Bay watershed ranges from warm, humid summer days to crisp fall days to cold, snowy winter days. The Bay watershed stretches over 64,000 square miles, from New York down to southern Virginia.  Therefore, weather can vary greatly from site to site.
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Satellite image of the Bay

Did You Know?
Did you know that the Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North American and the second largest in the world?
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Last Updated: July 21, 2011 at 15:44 MST

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