Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

People first arrived in the Chesapeake Bay during the last ice age. As glaciers melted, diverse societies learned to thrive in a world of water. When Englishman Captain John Smith explored the Bay in 1608, he documented hundreds of American Indian communities. Today, sites on his map are archeological treasures and sacred sites for tribal citizens. Come join us on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay!

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Compass and GPS
  • Geocaching
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Boat Tour
  • Hands-On
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Tubing
  • River Tubing
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Museum Exhibits

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Trail Operating Hours: The water trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! To launch your kayak or other vessel on the trail, access a local boat launch along one of the trail's many tributary rivers and coastlines. Local boat launches, state parks, and other locations have specific operating hours and seasons. Always check weather and conditions before going out on the water - take care during the winter months to dress appropriately for the weather and the possibility of submersion in cold water.

Getting there

The water trail is 3,000 miles long and there are countless places to explore it. The trail's headquarters and main visitor center is at Colonial National Historical Park - Historic Jamestowne. For an internet map search or GPS, use the following: Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081.

Visitor centers

Weather

During the summer season, visitors should dress in light, comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing, and use sunscreen. High temperatures and humidity create a higher risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. We strongly recommended you carry a bottle of water with you and wear a life jacket at all times. During the winter, be aware that submersion in freezing cold water can be deadly. If you are going out, bring safety gear such as a wetsuit and practice techniques to avoid tipping over.

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A re-created American Indian town.
Living History at Jamestown Settlement · Jamestown Settlement
Many baldcypress trees standing in the Chickahominy River
Cypress Trees Chickahominy River · Bill Portlock
A lone kayaker explores the Patuxent River
Kayaker at Jug Bay · NPS Photo / Middleton Evans
A view of the Susquehanna River and the boat dock at Zimmerman Center for Heritage
Susquehanna River view from Zimmerman Center · Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area

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