Directions to the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

NPS map

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail is a 680-mile historic trail that follows the route of the 1781 march of General George Washington’s Continental Army and General Rochambeau’s French forces from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia. The trail passes through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Because this is a long-distance national historic trail that spans multiple states and communities, there is no single entrance gate or visitor center. Visitors should plan their trip by selecting a section of the trail, historic site, or partner location to explore.

Washington-Rochambeau Trail Map and Route Information

The best way to begin planning your visit is by using the interactive map to locate trail segments, historic sites, and communities along the route. The trail includes roadways, walking routes, interpretive waysides, parks, museums, and water crossings associated with the 1781 campaign to Yorktown.

Visitors can explore many sections of the trail by car, while selected locations offer opportunities for walking, biking, and site-based interpretation.

Best Places to Start Your Visit

Popular places to begin exploring the Washington-Rochambeau Trail include:

• Newport, Rhode Island
• Providence and western Rhode Island route segments
• Connecticut march route communities
• New York and Hudson River crossings
• New Jersey encampment and march locations
• Philadelphia and Independence National Historical Park
• Maryland and Virginia route segments
• Colonial National Historical Park

These gateway locations provide excellent starting points for understanding the broader story of the Franco-American alliance and the march that led to victory at Yorktown.

Driving Directions and Parking

Because the trail follows historic routes through active towns, cities, and roadways, parking and access vary by location. Visitors should check directions, operating hours, and parking information for individual parks, museums, and historic sites before traveling.

Some trail segments follow modern roads and may not have designated pedestrian access. Always follow local traffic laws and posted signage.

Plan Your Visit

Before visiting, check:

• site hours and seasonal closures
• parking availability
• accessibility information
• weather and road conditions
• local event schedules

The Washington-Rochambeau Trail is best experienced as a journey through multiple communities and historic landscapes rather than as a single continuous footpath.

Explore America’s Revolutionary Journey

Use the interactive map to plan your route and discover the places where American and French forces marched together toward Yorktown in 1781. National Park Service and its partners continue to expand interpretive resources and visitor information across the trail.