National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a National Scenic Trail in District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert (1 closure), 0 campgrounds and 2 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

District of Columbia Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia National Scenic Trail No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

sunset over a river — Potomac River · Photo: NPS Photo / Steve Dean (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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!”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/pohe

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 0 caution and 0 information.

Closure

Trail Detour at Glover Archbold Trail at Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC)

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.

Posted or updated Oct 18, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

a Junior Ranger badge and patch sit atop an activity book — Photo: NPS/Cindy LaBarge

Become an Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger

Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger Program

30-90 Minutes Year-round

Junior Ranger Program

A visitor center building surrounded by trees — Photo: NPS Photo

Bike the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William Forest Park

Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret and bike along the park’s Scenic Drive.

1-3 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed

Biking

a small dark blue bird with bright orange stomach — Photo: NPS/MJGarcia

Birding at Fort Washington Park

Come for the history, stay for the birds. Fort Washington Park has a diverse array of bird species spread among its distinct ecosystems.

Year-round Pets allowed

Birdwatching

See all 56 things to do in Potomac Heritage →

Activities the NPS lists for Potomac Heritage.

BikingCampingHikingPaddlingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife Watching

Operating hours

The Trail is open year-round, weather permitting. Our partners who manage specific sections of the trails may have seasonal openings and closings.

Always open
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Weather associated with the PHT network is typical of a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons and variable precipitation throughout the year.

Contact and directions

Phone: 301-739-4200
Email: [email protected]
Address: Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Williamsport, MD 21795
Coordinates: 39.1506, -77.5230· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park	Mon Closed · Tue Closed · Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM	—	Yes
Williamsport Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park	Mon Closed · Tue Closed · Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM	—	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in District of Columbia

African American Civil War Memorial Anacostia Park Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument Capitol Hill Parks Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Chesapeake Bay Civil War Defenses of Washington Constitution Gardens Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial All in District of Columbia

Nearest other NPS sites

Monocacy National Battlefield MD
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park WV, VA, MD
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park DC, MD, WV
Great Falls Park VA
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts VA
Manassas National Battlefield Park VA

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.