{"id":"nps-pohe","slug":"potomac-heritage-national-scenic-trail","name":"Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail","designation":"National Scenic Trail","category":"trail","categoryLabel":"National Trail","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"POHE","designation":"National Scenic Trail","sourceId":"nps-pohe"}],"states":["DC","MD","PA","VA"],"stateNames":["District of Columbia","Maryland","Pennsylvania","Virginia"],"location":{"lat":39.15060133,"lon":-77.52301085},"bbox":null,"acres":null,"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":null,"recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Potomac%20Heritage%20National%20Scenic%20Trail","directions":"https://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/57DDD525-C26A-90FA-5D5DC9A304EE0246.jpg","title":"Potomac River","alt":"sunset over a river","caption":"Watch the sunset over the Potomac River","credit":"NPS Photo / Steve Dean","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/580BEC61-A9CE-EDA1-98EFFD3B1E833A73.jpg","title":"Chesapeake and Ohio Canal","alt":"blue flowers bloom next to a trail","caption":"Bluebells flowering on the towpath","credit":"NPS Photo / Stephanie Spencer","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/7D2DAB74-09C8-50D4-7C45CFF9DA18B7BF.jpg","title":"Follow the Trail!","alt":"two blue blazes are painted on a tree","caption":"Follow the blue blazes along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail!","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Biking","Camping","Hiking","Paddling","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","American Revolution","Farming and Agriculture","Forts","Military","Artillery","Armories","Battlefields","Transportation","Canals","Tunnels","Trains and Railroads","Animals","Forests and Woodlands","River and Riparian","Scenic Views","Watersheds"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Always open","description":"The Trail is open year-round, weather permitting. Our partners who manage specific sections of the trails may have seasonal openings and closings. Please refer to our Operating Hours & Seasons page for more information.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"The administrative office for the NPS Potomac Heritage NST is located at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park headquarters.","weatherInfo":"Weather associated with the PHT network is typical of a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons and variable precipitation throughout the year. Temperatures can vary from a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to 0 degrees in the winter.","contacts":{"phone":"301-739-4200","email":"POHE_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Williamsport Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park","description":"The Cushwa Basin Visitor Center in Williamsport is located at mile 99.8 along the C&O Canal towpath in Washington County, MD. Situated at the confluence of the Conococheague Creek and the Potomac River, Williamsport was first settled in 1740. A half-mile rewatered section of canal leads through the turning basin, under the only railroad lift bridge on the canal, and continues to Lockhouse 44 and the adjacent lock. Please check with the park directly for hours and other information.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/williamsportvisitorcenter.htm","lat":39.6005619025,"lon":-77.8262628432},{"name":"Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park","description":"The Great Falls Tavern originally functioned as one of the many lockhouses along the canal and serviced thousands of boats that passed through Lock 20 on the way to and from Cumberland, MD and Georgetown in Washington, DC. Today the Great Falls Tavern remains a hub of activity as it acts as one of C&O Canal National Historical Park's visitor centers. Here, visitors can get information about the park's programs, hiking trails, and history. Please check with the park directly for hours and other information.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm","lat":39.000283691955325,"lon":-77.24813995393879}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"harpers-ferry-national-historical-park","km":26},{"slug":"monocacy-national-battlefield","km":26},{"slug":"chesapeake-and-ohio-canal-national-historical-park","km":29},{"slug":"great-falls-park","km":30},{"slug":"wolf-trap-national-park-for-the-performing-arts","km":32},{"slug":"manassas-national-battlefield-park","km":37}],"hasBoundary":false,"boundarySource":null,"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=pohe"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.621Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Trail Detour at Glover Archbold Trail at Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC)","text":"The southern part of the Glover Archbold trail is closed due to aerial hazards caused by the trestle bridge. Work is being done to safely remove the bridge from the area to alleviate these hazards. Please obey any posted signs and do not enter the fenced off area.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/trail-closure-detour.htm","updated":"2026-10-19 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-92E34F0C-D348-4C76-BF6A-3C46FF8140BC"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/potomac-heritage-national-scenic-trail/","boundaryUrl":null}