John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Vacation While Exploring History

The John Smith Chesapeake National Trail, is so historic in its age and history of the Native Americans that lived along the trail. Captain John Smith and a small troop of settlers set out 400 years ago explore and map the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. taking two years between 1607 and 1609. during the exploration John Smith with the troop visited many native tribes. In 2006 Congress designated the routes of Captain John Smith's exploration as a national historic trail, the first national water trail.

Although I have never visited the area and saw any of the trails I can imagine the settlers with Smith in an unknown land with natives that spoke different languages. What a man Smith must have been to map such a place as the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers through that wild country. Smith's writings and map gave influence and direction for other settlers to follow with a remarkable record of the people, cultures and the land.

The Trail was officially launched in 2007 as part of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown Virginia. The trail includes about 3000 miles of what is now parts of present-day Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Being the first water trail, its based on Smith's journals and maps. It covers Smith's travels on the York and James rivers an amazing journey in 2007 and 2008.

The water trail purposed an unique problem, buoys are set up that transmit data for navigation, weather and much more. For travel, dining, lodging and more information, contact the tourism offices of: Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Information Center, Baltimore Visitor Center, Chesapeake Bay Center at First Landing State Park, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Chesapeake Exploration Center, Mathews County Visitors and Information Center, Sailwinds Visitor Center and Solomons Visitor Information Center.