FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Trail?

The Trail connects five commemorative land and water routes that retrace the movements of the British and Americans during the 1814 Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. The routes traverse the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac, Patuxent and Patapsco Rivers, and follow land routes from the upper Patuxent River to Bladensburg and the District of Columbia, and from North Point to Baltimore. Where the exact movements on land traversed in 1814 are no longer traceable, the Trail approximates the route as closely as possible to enable visitors to access significant sites.

The National Park Service, as the management entity of the Trail, will encourage preservation, development, recreation, and interpretation initiatives that enable visitors and residents to learn more about the War of 1812 and the Birth of the National Anthem.

Where is the Trail?

The official Trail map illustrates the approximate locations of the five commemorative routes that make up the Trail. The exact locations of each route will be determined during the management planning process. In the meantime, you can visit these places [link to regions/ places] to learn about the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

How do I get out on water portions of the Trail?

Since the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac, Patuxent and Patapsco Rivers are all a part of the Trail, you launch from public access ramps and docks along any of these waterways to follow the routes that ships navigated during the Chesapeake Campaign. Additional public access points, such as Lower Marlboro [image], provide fishing and water views.

Where can I get my NPS Passport book stamped?

You can get your Star-Spangled Banner NHT passport stamp stamped at the following locations:

Chesapeake Bay Office
National Park Service
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
Annapolis, MD 21403
410-267-5660

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Visitor Center
2400 East Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-962-4290

Fort Washington Park Visitor Center
13551 Fort Washington Road
Fort Washington, Maryland 20744
301-763-4600

Tangier History Museum and Interpretive Cultural Center
16215 Main Ridge Road
Tangier, VA 23440
302-234-1660

White House Visitor Center
1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
202-208-1631