Fort Washington and Oxon Hill
You can visit these sites in any order, but in summer mornings are the best time to see Fort Washington; you can explore the grounds before the sun gets too high.
Fort Washington. Fort Washington was part of the original defenses of the Capital, first completed in 1809. After being destroyed and rebuilt, it was improved over the years and remained in use through World War One. From the massive doorways at the entrance, to the gunnery posts, to the bastions and garrisons, it’s just a cool place to explore and hang out. Fort Washington Park has a wide variety of activities. There is a 3-mile trail that follows the perimeter of the park boundary, offering the opportunity for wildlife viewing. Birdwatchers enjoy the quite solitude of the park to find that one special bird. If fishing is for you, the park is located right along the Potomac River where there are many different types of fish waiting for you.
One Sunday a month from April to October the park has Civil War artillery demonstrations.
Oxon Cove Park/Oxon Hill Farm. The park has been home for many generations of human habitation during the past 10,000 years–beginning with the Native American peoples who hunted for wild game and gathered plants up until the 17th century. You can explore on your own and see farm equipment, historic structures, our Visitor Center, and barnyard. Explore Oxon Cove Park’s 512 acres by strolling along the lower fields, walking the nature path or riding the bike path along Oxon Cove. It’s a pleasing spot for a picnic, too. There are picnic areas, no reservations required. Food is not sold in the park, so pack a lunch.
Oxon Cove is listed second in this itinerary for those who are ready for a picnic lunch after exploring Fort Washington. It is next door to Oxon Hill Manor, so if you’re not ready for lunch, visit the manor first.
Visitor information for all three sites is available on the porch of the bookstore.
Oxon Hill Manor, a few miles up river from Fort Washington. The mansion as we see it today was built in in 1928, but the former home was built for home to the nephews of George Washington, and the nephew of John Hanson, the first president elected by the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation. In the 49-room mansion, check out the graceful spiraling staircase and ballroom especially. Wonder the English gardens and enjoy stunning river views. Tours are available by appointment. The manor is managed by Prince George’s County Department of Parks & Recreation.
To reach Fort Washington From I-95/495 take exit 3, Indian Head Higway South/MD 210. Travel about 4 miles to Fort Washington Road, turn right. The park is located at the end of the road.
From Waldorf, MD: MD228 to Indian Head Highway/MD210 North. Turn left onto Old Fort Road. Continue to end of road, at the stop sign turn left onto Fort Washington Road, continue to park.
Southern Maryland: Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route
This 5-day bicycle tour starts at Fort Washington Park at the Prince George’s County Potomac Heritage On-Road Bicycle Route as a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.238 miles, averaging 41 miles a day for the first four days, with options for short-cuts on each day. 52 miles back to La Plata on the last day, with another 20 miles back to Fort Washington National Park.
Day 1
42 miles – Fort Washington Park to Bel Alton
The tour begins Fort Washington Park. Fort Washington is the only permanent fortification built to defend the river approach to the Nation’s Capital. Follow the route south to Smallwood State Park, and then cut across through Pisgah to Port Tobacco where you can explore and eat lunch. Chapel Point Road will take you past St. Ignatius Church to the Motel Bel Alton. After you check-in, you can bike or drive 5 miles to Pope’s Creek for a seafood dinner on the Potomac.
Day 2
28 miles – Bel Alton to Charlotte Hall
Head back down to Pope’s Creek, across Rt. 301 and up through Amish country to Charlotte Hall, where you can have lunch at Bert’s 50 Diner. After lunch riders can visit the nearby farmers’ markets and/or bike a 13-mile loop to the lake and park Gilbert Run. Here you can enjoy fishing, pedal boating, row boating and canoeing from March to November. Several good restaurants are within walking distance of the Charlotte Hall Motel for dinner.
Day 3
42 miles – Charlotte Hall to Leonardtown
The route passes many Amish farms as you dip down to Chaptico, Bushwood, and Avenue, along St. Clements Bay. Grab lunch along the bay and then cycle back up and around to Leonardtown. You can paddle here, as well as enjoy the Leonardtown Winery, Wharf and Water Trail. You have a wide choice of places for dinner, including the Café des Artistes, and you can stay at the Relax Inn for the evening.
Day 4
45 miles – Leonardtown to Wynne
Out of Leonardtown, follow backcountry roads down to Valley Lee, up to Great Mills, and then Route 5 to St. Mary’s City. This quaint, historic town along the river is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat. Then continue down Route 5 toward Point Lookout to the 1828 Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, with the Potomac River on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other. There is also a nature center in Point Lookout State Park and a Civil War Museum to explore (there may be a $3 per person entry fee). Retrace the route back a few miles to Wynne where you can watch the sun set over the Potomac. Courtney’s has been recommended as a great seafood restaurant, and you can stay at the Scheibles Restaurant and Motel for the night.
Day 5
52 miles – Wynne to La Plata, the 20 miles – La Plata to Fort Washington
This is a long day, so you may want to get an early start as you head back to La Plata. Once you get back to La Plata, you will need to go the 20 extra miles to get back to Fort Washington, if that’s where you left your car.
For information on the map of the Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route produced by the Adventure Cycling Association with assistance of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office, National Park Service, visit http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/tidewater.cfm.
McIntosh Run Trail: Port of Leonardtown Park to Abell’s Wharf
This trail features four access points and provides paddlers with the opportunity to explore the quiet marshes of Leonardtown or the open waters of Breton Bay.
Distance: Following along the shoreline, it is approximately 2.4 miles from the Port of Leonardtown Park to Leonardtown Wharf Public Park; 0.6 miles from Leonardtown Wharf Public Park to Camp Calvert; and 3 miles from Camp Calvert to Abell’s Wharf. More experienced paddlers may paddle the full distance of approximately 6 miles.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate along McIntosh Run, but can be difficult in wider waters along lower Breton Bay depending on wind and weather conditions.
The upper section of this route is ideal for novice paddlers. Begin at the Port of Leonardtown Park on McIntosh Run, which features a passive park and the newly opened Port of Leonardtown Winery. Head south along McIntosh Run for approximately 2 miles. The trail here meanders through a sheltering canopy of trees which is home to Bald Eagles, Baltimore Orioles, wild turkeys and other bird species. The trail opens up at Breton Bay and large marsh areas will be visible to the right along with a few large waterfront homes. Continue paddling for approximately another half mile. More marshes and duck blinds hidden among the cattails can be seen to the right. The Leonardtown Wharf Public Park will be on the left side.
More experienced paddlers may take a more challenging route by continuing to Camp Calvert Landing and the larger waters of Breton Bay to Abell’s Wharf.
Port of Leonardtown Park
GPS: 38 18′ 14.31″ N 76 39′ 23.72″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Commissioners of Leonardtown, (301) 475-9791
Amenities: Handicap accessible, soft launch for canoes and kayaks only. Kayak/canoe rentals are available.
Directions: Drive south on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right at Newtowne Neck Road / Route 243. Turn left at the Port of Leonardtown Winery sign (approximately 0.16 miles) and drive to the end of the road.
Address: 23190 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Leonardtown Wharf Public Park
GPS: 38 17′ 09.62″ N 76 38′ 17.37″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Commissioners of Leonardtown, (301) 475-9791
Amenities: Public restrooms, seasonal concession stand and close proximity to restaurants. This site is suitable for canoe and kayak launching only and features a stepdown, floating launch platform. Parking is very limited.
Directions: Drive South on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right onto Washington Street and drive to the end.
Address: 22500 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Camp Calvert Landing
GPS: 38 17′ 03.63″N 76 37′ 44.41″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
Amenities: This landing is for canoe and kayak access only. Very small parking lot accommodates no more than two vehicles. Parking is minimal so drive to the landing to dropoff kayaks and canoes and park elsewhere. Be cautious of power boats and jet ski traffic when using this landing.
Directions: Drive south on Route 5 toward Leonardtown. Turn right onto Fenwick Street and make a left onto Camp Calvert Road. Drive to the end of Camp Calvert Road.
Address: 22530 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Abell’s Wharf
GPS: 38 15′ 38.46″ N 76 38′ 42.51″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
Amenities: Boat ramp and pier, parking lot (for 20 cars) and seasonal portable toilet.
Directions: Follow Route 5 south to Route 244 west to Breton Beach Road. Then turn right onto Abell’s Wharf Road.
Address: 21620 Abell’s Wharf Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Herring Creek Loop Trail: Tall Timbers Landing and Herring Creek
A wide variety of wildlife and beautiful vistas of Herring Creek and the Potomac River can be seen along this trail. Trail conditions and distances will vary depending on which route, creek or coves are explored. Be aware of powerboat traffic at marina openings and small channel crossings.
Distance: Approximately 1 – 10 miles depending on route taken
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Experienced paddlers may continue onto the open waters of the Potomac River.
This trail features approximately 10 miles of shoreline with many finger creeks and tiny coves. Launch at Tall Timbers landing and head to the right. Paddle into the large channel heading toward Route 249 (cars will be visible in the distance). Look into the trees and along the shoreline of this remote section of Herring Creek for nesting herons. Paddle back into the calm waters of the inlets behind Piney Point Elementary School. Turtles, herons and other wildlife are abundant in this area. Follow the shoreline to exit this branch of the creek and head up the creek along the shores and farmlands on the right. There is a marina at the head of the creek. Be cautious – there could be a bit of boat traffic entering and exiting the marina. Continue along the miles of shoreline to the other finger creeks and inlets along the north side of Herring Creek. Paddle through the last finger creek and follow the shoreline to the very open side of Herring Creek. Enjoy the expansive beauty of Herring Creek and the jetties to the Potomac.
Tall Timbers Landing
GPS: 38 10′ 37.90″ N 76 32′ 49.26″ W
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
Managed by: St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
Amenities: Put in is easy at the sandy spot next to pier.
Directions: Drive south on Route 5 past Leonardtown and turn right onto Piney Point Road / Route 249. Turn right onto Tall Timbers Road then turn right onto Herring Creek Road and drive to the end.
Address: 18521 Herring Creek Road, Tall Timbers, MD 20690
Upper St. Mary’s River Trail: Great Mills Launch to St. Mary’s City
This trail allows paddlers to experience the sheltered beauty of the headwaters of the St. Mary’s River or the more open waters downriver at St. Mary’s City. (more…)
Piney Point Creek Trail: Piney Pt. Lighthouse Museum and Park Loop Trail
The Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park kayak launch is situated in a small protected lagoon that opens into the larger area of Piney Point Creek. (more…)
St. Inigoes Trails
The St. Inigoes Paddling Trails in Southern Maryland include St. Inigoes Landing, Smith Creek, Jutland Creek and Kitts Point Loop Trails. (more…)
A Visit to Indian Head, MD and Mattawoman Creek
Located just 18 miles south from the Nation’s capital, the Indian Head Rail Trail is a 13-mile multi-use path in Charles County, Maryland. (more…)
Wicomico River Trail: Wicomico Shores Landing to Bushwod Wharf
This trail gives paddlers the opportunity to explore the coves and creeks around Budd’s Creek, Chaptico and Bushwood. (more…)
Explore Port Tobacco on the River
Can’t decide if you prefer a walk, a bicycle ride or an excursion on the water? An exploration around the Port Tobacco Historic District provides opportunities for all three. (more…)
Where the Potomac and the Chesapeake Meet: the Beginning of the PHT
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail begins at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay at Point Lookout State Park. This itinerary begins at the Point Lookout Lighthouse, runs through the tidal lowlands of Saint Mary’s Peninsula past Maryland’s early colonial capital and a Potomac River lighthouse, and on to St. George Island. (more…)
See Mount Vernon From Piscataway Park
Explore Mt. Vernon’s Viewshed Year Round by Land or by Water at Piscataway Park
Depending on which direction you are traveling, Piscataway Park sits at the beginning or the end of the Southern Maryland segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Piscataway, is, however, much more than a landmark. It is an experience unto itself, one that can be enjoyed by land or by water.
St. Mary’s “L” Loop
Take a day ride or weekend getaway in St. Mary’s County, Md., from Leonardtown to the Piney Point Lighthouse and Chesapeake Bay Field Lab.
Explore this lovely Southern Maryland loop on two wheels as you begin your ride in Leonardtown, then pass through some hills to arrive on the Potomac River at the Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum. Here you can see the oldest lighthouse still standing along the Potomac River. (more…)
Sunken Ships and Fossils in Colonial So. Maryland
In this part of Maryland, the state’s 18th century past comes alive. You can go much further into the past on this sojourn when you explore for shark-tooth fossils along the river’s edge. Or zoom to the not-so-distant past, when dozens of wooden ships were intentionally sunk into Mallows Bay, where they remain today. (more…)