Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail adventure.
The Star-Spangled Banner, America's national anthem, was written during the War of 1812. It is only fitting then, that the historic 290-mile trail is named after the song. The trail stops at all the important sites along the Chesapeake Bay, including Fort McHenry, the inspiration for the song. The trail goes as far north as Port Deposit and all the way up the Potomac to Washington D.C.
With all the hiking — and possibly kayaking — along the trail, you'll see plenty of natural beauty. There's the Prince William Forest Park, Piscataway Park, and Elk Neck State Park. Elk Neck has camping sites, hiking, and fishing. There are plenty of camping sites along the entire trail. They offer new scenery and a breath of fresh air between historic sites, battlefields, and museums.
When visiting the Star-Spangled Banner Trail, give yourself plenty of time to really immerse yourself in the historic and natural aspects of it. Visit during late spring or early fall to avoid the heat and humidity of summer or the winter snows. This way you get the beauty of spring flowers and fall foliage. You can pick up the trail at any of the historic locations and stops, but for more precise details, download a guide at the National Park Service website.