Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and
through Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service strives to connect people to
the opportunities and adventures throughout the watershed. Inspiring
stewardship across this vast region supports recreation, business, tourism,
learning, and a thriving natural resource for all to enjoy.

Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and through Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service strives to connect people to the opportunities and adventures throughout the watershed. Inspiring stewardship across this vast region supports recreation, business, tourism, learning, and a thriving natural resource for all to enjoy.

Cape Charles on Virginia's lower Eastern Shore is a bayside gem with many opportunities for visitors to enjoy the water.

Cape Charles

Calvert Cliffs is a well known destination for fossil hunting.

Calvert Cliffs

Great Falls marks the fall line of the Potomac River.

Great Falls

At sunset, a boater returns to the docks used by working watermen at Tangier Island.

Tangier Island

Chesapeake Bay

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!

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!

Many people visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to spot birds, like this heron, that rely the natural resources of the landscape.

Heron at sunset at Blackwater NWR

Many people visit Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to see the many bird species, like this heron, that use the natural resources of the landscape.

Some scenes - like this one of cypress trees in the Chickahominy River - look similar to what Captain John Smith would have seen 400 years ago.

Cypress Trees Chickahominy River

The upper reaches of the Patuxent River at Jug Bay give visitors a view of the Chesapeake region that feels similar to a time before European settlement.

Kayaker at Jug Bay

At Jamestown Settlement, trail visitors can view yihakan, the houses seen pictured here, which are constructed from saplings and reed mats.

Living History at Jamestown Settlement

Visitors can use the dock at Zimmerman Center for Heritage to launch canoes and kayaks onto the beautiful Susquehanna River in south central Pennsylvania.

Susquehanna River view from Zimmerman Center

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is one of
the most productive bodies of water in the world. The multi-component
Chesapeake Bay Reserve in Maryland reflects the diversity of estuarine
habitats found within the Maryland portion of the Bay. In the Maryland portion
of the Bay's watershed are a variety of habitats. The Maryland Reserve
encompasses several of those habitats, including salt marsh at Monie Bay
(3,416 acres), a tidal freshwater marsh at Otter Point Creek (736 acres) and a
tidal riverine system at Jug Bay (2,087 acres). The locations of the three
sites reflect the importance of tributaries to the overall health of the Bay
ecosystem.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is one of the most productive bodies of water in the world.  The multi-component Chesapeake Bay Reserve in Maryland reflects the diversity of estuarine habitats found within the Maryland portion of the Bay. In the Maryland portion of the Bay's watershed are a variety of habitats. The Maryland Reserve encompasses several of those habitats, including salt marsh at Monie Bay (3,416 acres), a tidal freshwater marsh at Otter Point Creek (736 acres) and a tidal riverine system at Jug Bay (2,087 acres). The locations of the three sites reflect the importance of tributaries to the overall health of the Bay ecosystem.

Wild rice planting in Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Maryland

Osprey Banding in Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Maryland

Loosestrife removal in Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Maryland National Estuarine Research Reserve

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an island of 2,285 acres
located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay in Kent
County, Maryland. Native Americans hunted here for thousands of years and the
island was among the first areas settled by Europeans in the "New World."
Established in December 1962, the refuge is a major feeding and resting place
for migratory and wintering waterfowl on Maryland’s famed “Eastern Shore.” The
varied habitats on Eastern Neck NWR, including brackish tidal marsh, forest,
cropland, grassland, and open water impoundments, provide a home for a variety
of wildlife species. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Areas
by the Audubon Society. Over 240 species of birds and a variety of mammals,
amphibians and reptiles inhabit the island.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an island of 2,285 acres located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay in Kent County, Maryland. Native Americans hunted here for thousands of years and the island was among the first areas settled by Europeans in the "New World."  Established in December 1962, the refuge is a major feeding and resting place for migratory and wintering waterfowl on Maryland’s famed “Eastern Shore.” The varied habitats on Eastern Neck NWR, including brackish tidal marsh, forest, cropland, grassland, and open water impoundments, provide a home for a variety of wildlife species. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Areas by the Audubon Society. Over 240 species of birds and a variety of mammals, amphibians and reptiles inhabit the island.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, bald eagles

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, bald eagle.

Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 by executive order of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and is the only wildlife refuge established
to support wildlife research. Today the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern
Ecological Science Center carries on the refuge’s rich tradition in scientific
investigation.

Biologically, the refuge is of regional importance in that it is home to many
deep-forest song birds such as the Scarlet Tanager. Patuxent’s large areas of
unbroken tree cover, rare in central Maryland, allows these birds to hide from
predators.

Patuxent’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan provides long-term guidance for
management decisions and sets forth goals, objectives, and strategies needed
to accomplish refuge purposes and identify the Service’s best estimate of
future needs. See the Conservation Plan.

Currently, the refuge welcomes over 200,000 visitors per year.

Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and is the only wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. Today the U.S. Geological Survey’s <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc" rel="nofollow">Eastern Ecological Science Center</a> carries on the refuge’s rich tradition in scientific  investigation.Biologically, the refuge is of regional importance in that it is home to many deep-forest song birds such as the Scarlet Tanager. Patuxent’s large areas of unbroken tree cover, rare in central Maryland, allows these birds to hide from predators.Patuxent’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan provides long-term guidance for management decisions and sets forth goals, objectives, and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes and identify the Service’s best estimate of future needs.   <a href="https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/214814" rel="nofollow">See the Conservation Plan</a>.Currently, the refuge welcomes over 200,000 visitors per year.

Chesapeake Bay

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Chesapeake Bay Maryland National Estuarine Research Reserve

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Patuxent Research Refuge