Enjoy the View: Potomac Heritage Trail Network

Like others throughout the National Park System, NPS Trail office staff and partners are engaged in various projects to conduct scenic resource inventories, to evaluate the significance of viewsheds, and to identify land conservation priorities. See below for ways that you can help, and visit the NPS Air Resources page on Clean Air & Clear Views for System-wide and park information.

 

Kayaks on the shores of the Potomac River with scenic views of the river and treeline.

Photo Copyright by Dom J Manalo.

Scenic Viewpoints

The viewpoints below have been compiled with the help of various PHT network partners over the past few years. The term "viewpoint" defines a specific place from which PHT users can experience natural beauty or some type of cultural significance and is worthy of conservation. Click on a PHT region or segment below to see a drop-down list.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

Check out these scenic views along the LHHT! Is there a viewpoint missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know by clicking on contact us.

Name of Scenic Viewpoint	Location (approx.)
LHHT 1 (overlooking the Youghiogheny)	Mile 2.5
LHHT (overlooking the Youghiogheny)	Mile 4
LHHT 3 (view of Sugarload Knob)	Mile 7
LHHT 4 (view of Middle Fork)	Mile 22.5
LHHT 6	Mile 29
LHHT 7	Mile 30 (near PA Route 31 trailhead)
LHHT 8	Mile 38.5 (near PA Turnpike shelter area)
LHHT 9	Mile 61.0
LHHT 10	Mile 62.5
LHHT 11 (across Conemaugh Valley)	Mile 66.7
LHHT 12 (n. across Conemaugh Gorge)	Mile 67.5

Note: Locations are approximate; please use caution and observe all regulations.

Great Allegheny Passage

Check out these scenic views along the GAP Trail! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)
Ohiopyle Bridge Between Ferncliff and Ohiopyle	Mile 72, Ohiopyle PA
Turkeyfoot Overlook	Mile 62, Confluence PA
Pinkerton High Bridge	Mile 52, Confluence PA
Salisbury Viaduct	Mile 33.5, near Meyersdale, PA
Big Savage View	Mile 22, SE entrance of Big Savage Tunnel

There is also a scenic view along the Eastern Continental Divide Loop at High Rocks along the Meadow Mountain Trail looking toward Big Savage Mountain.

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

Check out these scenic views along the C&O Canal! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)
Canal Plaza Place (terminus)	Mile 184.5 Cumberland, MD
Paw Paw Bends View	Mile 156-157, Lat/Long is for SW trailhead
Paw Paw Western Maryland Railroad Bridge View	Mile 156 (on banks of Potomac)
View of Maryland Heights;"The Point"	Mile 60.8 Harpers Ferry,WV
Jefferson Rock	Harpers Ferry, WV
Big Slackwater (boat ramp)	Mile 85,Sharpsburg, MD
Point of Rocks	Mile 48.2
Monocacy Aqueduct	Mile 42
Whites Ferry	Mile 35.5, Dickerson MD
Great Falls Overlook	Great Falls, Maryland
Mile Marker 0 SE of Thompson Boat Center	Mile 0, at mouth of Rock Creek

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Virginia and DC

Check out these scenic views along the Northern Viriginia and DC region! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)
Great Falls View	River Trail in Great Falls Park, McLean, Virginia
Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (near Turtle Run fork)	Leesburg, Catoctin, VA
Views of National Monuments over the Potomac	Mount Vernon Trail, MD, VA, DC
Arlington House View of Fort Circle	Arlington House, Fort Myer, VA
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge	Washington DC (Lat/Long is Approx)
Portico Potomac View	George Washington's Mount Vernon, VA
Deephole Point, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge	Woodbridge, VA
Veteran's Memorial Park View	Woodbridge, VA
Winter View at Rippon Lodge	Woodbridge, VA
Chatham Manor	Fredericksburg, VA

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Southern Maryland

Check out these scenic views in the Southern Maryland and DC area! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)
Piscataway Park Lookout towards Mount Vernon	Accoceek Foundation, MD
Chapel Point Overlook	Chapel Point Cemetery, MD
Port Tobacco Creek Views	Port Tobacco Historic District, MD
McIntosh Run and Breton Bay View	Leonardtown Wharf Park, MD
Chancellor's Point	Historic St. Mary's City, MD

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Neck of Virginia

Check out these scenic views in the Northern Neck of Virginia! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)
Caledon State Park Shoreline	King George, VA
Horsehead Cliffs	Westmoreland State Park, Montross, VA
George Washington Birthplace of Popes Creek	Colonial Beach, VA
Stratford Hall View	Stratford, VA
Kinsale Historic Distric Harbor	Kinsale, VA
Sunnybank Ferry North Dock	Heathsville, VA
Smiths Point at Chesapeake Bay	Smiths Point, VA
Reedville Historic District	Reedville, VA

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Send us your suggestions!

Do you have a favorite viewpoint or viewshed you would like to see preserved along the PHT network? We would appreciate your comments, feedback and photos. Click on Contact us to tell us what you feel are the most important viewpoints and/or viewsheds associated with the PHT network. You can also tag us in pictures of your favorite viewsheds via Instagram at @potomacheritagetrail.