Thing to Do

Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Visitors walk on the Potomac Heritage Trail.

Explore the Potomac Heritage Trail
Details
Duration
1-8 Hours

Hiking opportunities are extensive and one of the best ways to experience the beauty, history and culture of the Trail network. 

Paddling the Potomac and Youghiogheny rivers, as well as their tributaries, often provides intimate connections with natural areas and unique perspectives on urban environments. Explore those water trails with these helpful pages, developed in 2012 with the assistance of the River Management Society.

 

The Potomac Heritage Trail network includes many activities for children, youth and families.

Leashed pets are welcome on all park trails, parking lots and picnic areas. There are no off-leash areas on the trail. Owners must have physical control of the animal, using a six foot leash, at all times. Electronic or 'shock' collars do not count as a leash. With the exception of service dogs, pets are not permitted in the visitor center, or on ranger-led programs.

Ticks are common throughout the Trail and pose risk for tick-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease. Take precautions to prevent tick bites and do frequent tick checks of yourself and children and pets with you.

 

Some facilities within the Trail corridor charge a fee (e.g., some parks, historic sites, etc.) and some require reservations (e.g., shelters along the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail). Please check with a Trail management partner for current information.

The Trail network consists of many segments and includes portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. With numerous trailheads dispersed throughout various regions, accessing the Trail by many types of transportation is possible.

Directions to trailheads and other facilities associated with segments of the PHT network can be found on various maps and on the web sites of our Trail management partners. 

Reservations
No

The Trail is open year-round, weather permitting. 

Please refer to our Operating Hours & Seasons for more information.

Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information

The National Park Service welcomes people with disabilities. For information about specific facilities, programs and services please contact the site you would like to visit on the trail management partners' page.

You may wish to learn about the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

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Paw Paw tunnel on the trail in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O) National Historical Park.
Paw Paw tunnel on the trail in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O) National Historical Park.

NPS

Discover scenic views along the Potomac Heritage Trail! From historic sites to natural landscapes, there are many sites and stories that define this historic corridor.

Hike, bike or paddle your way through this historic trail!

Check out these places along your way:

PHT users can experience natural beauty or cultural significance at each of these scenic stops, worthy of conservation! Click on the title of the region for a drop-down list.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views along the LHHT! Is there a viewpoint missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know via pohesocialmedia@nps.gov.

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Center Bearing
LHHT viewpoint 1 (overlooking the Youghiogheny) Mile 2.5 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 2 (overlooking the Youghiogheny) Mile 4 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 3 Mile 8 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 4 Mile 9 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 5 Mile 21.5 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 6 Mile 29 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 7 Mile 30 (near PA Route 31 trailhead) N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 8 Mile 38.5 (near PA Turnpike shelter area) N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 9 Mile 61.0 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoint 10 Mile 62.5 N/A N/A N/A
LHHT viewpoints overlooking Conemaugh Gorge Mile 66.5-69.5 N/A N/A N/A

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate; please use caution and observe all regulations.

Great Allegheny Passage Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views along the GAP Trail! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Central Bearing
Bridges over the Youghiogheny River Ohiopyle, PA N/A N/A; N/A
Turkeyfoot Overlook Mile 62, Confluence PA N/A N/A N/A
Salisbury Viaduct Mile 33.5, near Meyersdale, PA 39.8341561 -79.0477227 360°
Big Savage View Mile 22, SE entrance of Big Savage Tunnel 39.7454349 -78.8965415,14 South East

There is also a scenic view along the Eastern Continental Divide Loop at High Rocks along the Meadow Mountain Trail looking toward Big Savage Mountain.

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views along the C&O Canal! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Central Bearing *
Canal Plaza Place (terminus) Mile 184.5 Cumberland, MD 39.649658 78.7639392,260 360°
Paw Paw Bends View Mile 156-157, Lat/Long is for SW trailhead 39.550448 78.463064 South
Paw Paw Western Maryland Railroad Bridge View Mile 156 (on banks of Potomac) 39.545329 78.461149 Northwest
View of Maryland Heights;"The Point" Mile 60.8 Harpers Ferry,WV 39.322977 -77.728573 360°
Jefferson Rock Harpers Ferry, WV 39.3223604 -77.73342 South-south-west
Big Slackwater (boat ramp) Mile 85,Sharpsburg, MD 39.5007252 -77.8473884 Southwest
Point of Rocks Mile 48.2 N/A N/A N/A
Monocacy Aqueduct Mile 42 39.223950 -77.452192 360°
Whites Ferry Mile 35.5, Dickerson MD 39.154645 -77.519681 West
Great Falls Overlook Great Falls, Maryland 38.997339 -77.2513691 West, Northwest
Mile Marker 0 SE of Thompson Boat Center Mile 0, at mouth of Rock Creek 38.899927 -77.057562 Southwest

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Virginia and DC Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views along the Northern Viriginia and DC region! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Central Bearing
Great Falls View River Trail in Great Falls Park, McLean, Virginia 38.9963876 -77.2540841 West
Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (near Turtle Run fork) Leesburg, Catoctin, VA N/A N/A West
Views of National Monuments over the Potomac Mount Vernon Trail, MD, VA, DC N/A N/A N/A
Arlington House View of Fort Circle Arlington House, Fort Myer, VA 38.8782284 77.0739277 360°
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Washington DC (Lat/Long is Approx) 38.792905 -77.033521 360°
Portico Potomac View George Washington's Mount Vernon, VA 38.707885 -77.0862793 Southeast
Deephole Point, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge Woodbridge, VA 38.637914 -77.228275 Southeast
Veteran's Memorial Park View Woodbridge, VA 38.644171 -77.247338 West
Winter View at Rippon Lodge Woodbridge, VA N/A N/A N/A
Chatham Manor Fredericksburg, VA N/A N/A West

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Southern Maryland Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views in the Southern Maryland and DC area! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Central Bearing
Piscataway Park Lookout towards Mount Vernon Accoceek Foundation, MD 38.695858 -77.065961 Northwest
Chapel Point Overlook Chapel Point Cemetery, MD N/A N/A Northwest
Port Tobacco Creek Views Port Tobacco Historic District, MD N/A N/A 360°
McIntosh Run and Breton Bay View Leonardtown Wharf Park, MD 38.286201 -76.638799 Southwest
Chancellor's Point Historic St. Mary's City, MD 38.169412 -76.440839 West

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Neck of Virginia Scenic Views

Check out these scenic views in the Northern Neck of Virginia! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov

Name of Scenic View Location (approx.) Latitude Longitude Central Bearing
Caledon State Park Shoreline King George, VA 38.348622 -77.157668 Northwest
Horsehead Cliffs Westmoreland State Park, Montross, VA 38.172525 -76.875328 Northeast
George Washington Birthplace of Popes Creek Colonial Beach, VA 38.185881 -76.916267 Northeast
Stratford Hall View Stratford, VA 38.1519269 -76.841643 East
Kinsale Historic Distric Harbor Kinsale, VA 38.0302518 -76.5769272 Northeast
Sunnybank Ferry North Dock Heathsville, VA 37.890760 -76.269722 Northwest
Smiths Point at Chesapeake Bay Smiths Point, VA N/A N/A 360°
Reedville Historic District Reedville, VA N/A N/A 360°

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Send us your suggestions!

Do you have a favorite viewpoint or viewshed you would like to see preserved along the PHT network? We would appreciate your comments, feedback and photos. Contact us at pohesocialmedia@nps.gov or our Facebook page and tell us what you feel are the most important viewpoints and/or viewsheds throughout the PHT network. Follow us and tag us in pictures of your favorite viewsheds on Instagram at @potomacheritagetrail.

Scenic Views

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Last updated: April 6, 2023