Fees & Passes

Free

No entrance pass required

An entrance pass is not required to access Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Thursday, January 9 — National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

You do not need a permit to boat or paddle the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, aside from licenses that may be required by the states of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or the District of Columbia.

There are no fees required to use the trail. However, the sites and access points associated with the trail are owned and managed by many different organizations, including state, federal, local, public, and private. Some sites may charge fees and/or require advance reservations.

For more information about fees and passes, please contact the sites you plan to visit.

 

Ways to Visit

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  Places to Go

  Discover the trail's four visitor centers located throughout the Chesapeake region.

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  Trip Ideas

  We've picked a few of our favorite places where friends and families can learn about heritage and experience untouched natural wonders.

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  Things To Do

  The trail offers countless ways to enjoy the rivers, marshes, and coastlines of the Chesapeake Bay.